Laura M Welch House · Photo: AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0Sioux Falls’s public schools score below 61% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Sioux Falls, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Dakota, not nationally.
From South Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Sioux Falls’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 40% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,316 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
23 elementary schools, then six middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sioux Falls Catholic School (private), Sioux Falls Christian Schools (private), Sioux Falls Lutheran School (private), O'Gorman Junior High School (private), St. Michael School (private), Christ the King Grade School (private), Lifescape (private), Children's Home Society of SD/Loving School (private), The Baan Dek Montessori School (private), Accurate and Conscious Education Academy (private), Good Shepherd Lutheran (private), Westside Christian School (private), Cornerstone School (private), Bethel Lutheran School (private), Education & Integration Services (private) and Choices Alternative School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Sioux Falls’s grade
C+: better than 39% of South Dakota school districts, #25 of 35 South Dakota towns. Graduation is above the South Dakota average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sioux Falls, with each school’s own grade.
Sioux Falls’s public schools are run by Sioux Falls School District 49-5, which also serves Mapleton. Parts of Sioux Falls (11%, 10% and 5% of its land) are served by Harrisburg School District 41-2, Brandon Valley School District 49-2 and Tri-Valley School District 49-6 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Sioux Falls vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Sioux Falls’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | C+ | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| Split Rock | A | Brandon Valley School District 49-2 |
| Wayne | — | West Central School District 49-7 |
| Springdale | A− | Harrisburg School District 41-2 PK–12 · Canton School District 41-1 K–12 |
| Delapre | A− | Tea Area School District 41-5 PK–12 · Lennox School District 41-4 PK–12 · Harrisburg School District 41-2 PK–12 |
| Brandon | — | Brandon Valley School District 49-2 |
| Mapleton | B | Brandon Valley School District 49-2 PK–12 · Sioux Falls School District 49-5 PK–12 |
| Benton | — | Tri-Valley School District 49-6 |
Every school in Sioux Falls
62 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Dakota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 15 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Teachwell Academy High School - 01, Teachwell Thrive - 03, Teachwell Academy Middle School - 04, Teachwell Connect - 92, Project Search - Avera McKennan 07, Teachwell Prosper - 08, Teachwell Elementary and Intermediate - 09, Teachwell Strive -05, Summit Oaks-Residential - 48, Structured Teaching - 12, Cte - 37, ARISE Shelter Care - 71, Avera Behavioral Health Program - 82, Avera Adolescent Addiction Care Program - 81 and Marcella LeBeau Elementary). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Sioux Falls’s schools
Are Sioux Falls’s schools good?
On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sioux Falls children attend score below 61% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #25 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sioux Falls in?
Sioux Falls School District 49-5, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 25,060 students in 44 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Sioux Falls are served by Harrisburg School District 41-2, Brandon Valley School District 49-2 and Tri-Valley School District 49-6.
Where do Sioux Falls kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Lincoln High School - 02, Jefferson High School - 67, Washington High School - 01 and Roosevelt High School - 03.
What is Sioux Falls’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Sioux Falls School District 49-5 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Sioux Falls spend per student?
$12,316 in Sioux Falls School District 49-5 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Sioux Falls?
Yes: Sioux Falls Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 2,673 students), Sioux Falls Christian Schools (religious, grades PK–12, 1,575 students), Sioux Falls Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–12, 452 students), O'Gorman Junior High School (Catholic, grades 7–8, 329 students), St. Michael School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 256 students), Christ the King Grade School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 148 students), Lifescape (special education, grades 1–12, 107 students), Children's Home Society of SD/Loving School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 87 students), The Baan Dek Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 81 students), Accurate and Conscious Education Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–10, 54 students), Good Shepherd Lutheran (religious, grades K–8, 52 students), Westside Christian School (religious, grades PK–5, 43 students), Cornerstone School (religious, grades 1–12, 37 students), Bethel Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 28 students), Education & Integration Services (special education, grades 11–12, 6 students) and Choices Alternative School (religious · all-boys, grades , 3 students).
Parents talk
What Sioux Falls families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sioux Falls → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.