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Spearfish historic commercial district, Lawrence County, SDPhoto: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Spearfish · Spearfish School District 40-2

Spearfish’s public schools outscore 69% of South Dakota districts

49% of students in Spearfish’s public schools are proficient in math, above the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Spearfish, 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.

#14of 35 South Dakota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
55%
▲ 4 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▲ 7 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 6–10 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$10.6K
▼ 19% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.1
SD 13.7
Schools in town
6
2,375 students on the public path
In brief

Spearfish’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 55% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $10,621 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Creekside Elementary - 07, then Spearfish Middle School - 05, then Spearfish High School - 01. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Black Hills Christian Academy (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Spearfish’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

B+: better than 69% of South Dakota school districts, #14 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 69%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (310)Better than 68%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,281 test results and a graduating class of 174 could put Spearfish anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Spearfish’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,281 in math, 1,281 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Spearfish, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
KMountain View Elementary - 08Spearfish School District 40-2No scores
3–5Creekside Elementary - 07Spearfish School District 40-2B+
6–8Spearfish Middle School - 05Spearfish School District 40-2C+
9–12Spearfish High School - 01Spearfish School District 40-2B

Spearfish’s public schools are run by Spearfish School District 40-2, which also serves St. Onge. 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.

Spearfish School District 40-2Grades K–12 · 7 schools · 2,398 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 14.1 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$10,621SD $13,040 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading55%
State average 51% · 1281 students tested
Math49%
State average 42.2% · 1281 students tested

Spearfish vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Spearfish’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SpearfishB+Spearfish School District 40-2

Every school in Spearfish

6 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).

District schools in Spearfishby address
Mountain View Elementary - 08
Elementary · Grades K
168 students12:1Rate it →
West Elementary - 03
Elementary · Grades 1–2
322 students11:1Rate it →
Creekside Elementary - 07
Elementary · Grades 3–5
B+
553 students15:1Rate it →
Spearfish Middle School - 05
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
545 students15:1Rate it →
Spearfish High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
B
787 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Black Hills Christian Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
143 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills Elementary - 09, Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 10, Black Hills Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 07 and Black Hills Academy at Canyon Hills - 08).

Questions about Spearfish’s schools

Are Spearfish’s schools good?

By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Spearfish children attend outscore 69% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #14 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Spearfish in?

Spearfish School District 40-2, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,398 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Spearfish kids go to high school?

Spearfish High School - 01, with 787 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Spearfish’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Spearfish School District 40-2 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Spearfish spend per student?

$10,621 in Spearfish School District 40-2 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Spearfish?

Yes: Black Hills Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 143 students).

Parents talk

What Spearfish families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Spearfish → 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.