Brandon
Minnehaha County · 11,306 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A+ · #1 of 35 in SD
South Dakota rankings · Schools
Towns with the best schools in South Dakota
Brandon and Split Rock Township share first place on schools among South Dakota’s 35 towns of 2,500+; 9 of the 35 grade A− or better (schools are graded within each state).
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). How grades work
A
#T1Split Rock Township
Minnehaha County · 3,086 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A · #6 of 35 in SD
#3Lennox
Lincoln County · 2,657 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A+ · #2 of 35 in SD
All 35 towns
Schools grade, best first (graded within South Dakota). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 8 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
35 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
T5Dakota Dunesunincorporated, Union County · 3,936 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall A− · #10 of 35
30Rapid Valleyunincorporated, Pennington County · 6,975 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall B− · #20 of 35
T32Blackhawkunincorporated, Meade County · 2,934 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #29 of 35
T32Colonial Pine Hillsunincorporated, Pennington County · 2,609 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #28 of 35
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which South Dakota town has the best schools?
Brandon (Minnehaha County) and Split Rock Township (Minnehaha County) share first place on schools among 35 towns. Schools are compared within South Dakota, so the letter is a state grade.
How are these towns ranked?
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a schools grade (35 in South Dakota). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the South Dakota page.
Go deeper
All South Dakota rankings →More South Dakota lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live35 towns · #1 BrandonBest small towns21 towns · #1 LennoxMost affordable towns35 towns · #1 MilbankSafest towns23 towns · #1 Hot SpringsHealthiest towns35 towns · #1 Dakota DunesBest towns for jobs & income35 towns · #1 Split Rock TownshipMost walkable towns35 towns · #1 SturgisTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk35 towns · #1 Split Rock TownshipBest towns for the outdoors35 towns · #1 SpearfishMost historic towns35 towns · #1 LeadTowns with the most civic life31 towns · #1 CantonTowns with the least snow35 towns · #1 Hot SpringsDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns35 towns · #1 LeadDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters37 towns · #1 SpearfishDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers37 towns · #1 WinnerDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers37 towns · #1 LeadDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes35 towns · #1 Split Rock TownshipDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes35 towns · #1 WinnerDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns30 towns · #1 HarrisburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries15 towns · #1 CantonDescribed, no letters
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