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Redlin Art CenterPhoto: Bp0 at English Wikipedia · Public domain
B+
Schools in Watertown · Watertown School District 14-4

Watertown’s public schools outscore 67% of South Dakota districts

On the state math tests, 51% of Watertown’s students scored proficient, above the South Dakota average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Watertown, 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.

#16of 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
59%
▲ 8 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
51%
▲ 9 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
86%
▲ 2 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.5K
▼ 12% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.1
SD 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
10
3,586 students on the public path
In brief

Watertown’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 59% and math 51% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,526 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

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

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Martins Lutheran School (private), Great Plains Lutheran High School (private) and Watertown Christian 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Watertown’s grade

B+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B+: better than 67% of South Dakota school districts, #16 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 67%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (328)Better than 67%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,040 test results and a graduating class of 295 could put Watertown anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Watertown’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,042 in math, 2,037 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–KMcKinley Early Childhood Center - 06Watertown School District 14-4C+
1–43 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to A+
7–8Watertown Middle School - 02Watertown School District 14-4B
9–12Watertown High School - 01Watertown School District 14-4B

Watertown’s public schools are run by Watertown School District 14-4. 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.

Watertown School District 14-4Grades PK–12 · 8 schools · 3,606 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 15.1 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$11,526SD $13,040 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading59%
State average 51% · 2037 students tested
Math51%
State average 42.2% · 2042 students tested

Watertown vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WatertownB+Watertown School District 14-4
Lake—Watertown School District 14-4
Elmira—Watertown School District 14-4
Sheridan—Watertown School District 14-4
Pelican—Watertown School District 14-4
Richland—Watertown School District 14-4

All 5 neighbors share Watertown School District 14-4 with Watertown, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Watertown

10 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 Watertownby address
McKinley Early Childhood Center - 06
Elementary · Grades PK–K
C+
296 students14:1Rate it →
Lincoln Elementary - 05
Elementary · Grades 1–4
A+
361 students15:1Rate it →
Jefferson Elementary - 09
Elementary · Grades 1–4
B
333 students14:1Rate it →
Mellette Elementary - 07
Elementary · Grades 1–4
B+
267 students14:1Rate it →
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
Middle · Grades 5–6
C
532 students14:1Rate it →
Watertown Middle School - 02
Middle · Grades 7–8
B
575 students15:1Rate it →
Watertown High School - 01
High · Grades 9–12
B
1,222 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Martins Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
187 students18:1Rate it →
Great Plains Lutheran High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Religious
137 students11:1Rate it →
Watertown Christian School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
108 studentsRate it →

Questions about Watertown’s schools

Are Watertown’s schools good?

By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Watertown children attend outscore 67% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #16 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Watertown in?

Watertown School District 14-4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,606 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Watertown kids go to high school?

Watertown High School - 01, with 1,222 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Watertown’s graduation rate?

86% of the class of 2023 in Watertown School District 14-4 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.

How much does Watertown spend per student?

$11,526 in Watertown School District 14-4 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Watertown?

Yes: St. Martins Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 187 students), Great Plains Lutheran High School (religious, grades 9–12, 137 students) and Watertown Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 108 students).

Parents talk

What Watertown families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watertown → 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.