Photo: National Park Service · Public domainYankton’s public schools outscore 72% of South Dakota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Yankton, 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.
Yankton’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 51% and 42% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,763 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Yankton Middle School - 02, then Yankton High School - 01. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sacred Heart Middle School - (private) and Sacred Heart 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 Yankton’s grade
B+: better than 72% of South Dakota school districts, #13 of 35 South Dakota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Dakota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Yankton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Yankton
Yankton Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 608 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Yankton
Yankton Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 608 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Yankton
Yankton Middle School - 02
Grades 6–8 · 608 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Yankton
Yankton High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 923 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Yankton
Yankton High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 923 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Yankton
Yankton High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 923 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Yankton
Yankton High School - 01
Grades 9–12 · 923 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Yankton’s public schools are run by Yankton School District 63-3, which also serves Mission Hill, Mission Hill, Utica and Utica and others. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Yankton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Yankton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Yankton | B+ | Yankton School District 63-3 |
| Utica | — | Yankton School District 63-3 |
| Mission Hill | — | Yankton School District 63-3 |
All 2 neighbors share Yankton School District 63-3 with Yankton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Yankton
8 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Trailhead Learning Center).
Questions about Yankton’s schools
Are Yankton’s schools good?
By South Dakota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Yankton children attend outscore 72% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #13 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Yankton in?
Yankton School District 63-3, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,021 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Yankton kids go to high school?
Yankton High School - 01, with 923 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Yankton’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Yankton School District 63-3 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Yankton spend per student?
$11,763 in Yankton School District 63-3 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Yankton?
Yes: Sacred Heart Middle School - (Catholic, grades PK–8, 287 students) and Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 279 students).
Parents talk
What Yankton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Yankton → 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.