Best private high schools in South Dakota
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in South Dakota using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#15. Sioux Falls Lutheran School
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Enrollment: 454 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#14. Dakota Christian School
- Location: Corsica, SD
- Enrollment: 95 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B-
#13. Roncalli Middle/Senior High School
- Location: Aberdeen, SD
- Enrollment: 230 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B-
#12. Saint Mary Catholic Schools
- Location: Dell Rapids, SD
- Enrollment: 213 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#11. Great Plains Lutheran High School
- Location: Watertown, SD
- Enrollment: 128 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#10. James Valley Christian School
- Location: Huron, SD
- Enrollment: 231 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#9. Rapid City Christian School
- Location: Rapid City, SD
- Enrollment: 246 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#8. Sioux Falls Christian Schools
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Enrollment: 1,350 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#7. Sunshine Bible Academy
- Location: Miller, SD
- Enrollment: 70 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#6. Aberdeen Christian School - Elementary Campus
- Location: Aberdeen, SD
- Enrollment: 143 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B
#5. Mitchell Christian School
- Location: Mitchell, SD
- Enrollment: 163 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#4. Red Cloud Indian School
- Location: Pine Ridge, SD
- Enrollment: 491 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade B+
#3. Freeman Academy
- Location: Freeman, SD
- Enrollment: 75 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#2. O'Gorman High School
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Enrollment: 784 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#1. Rapid City Catholic School System
- Location: Rapid City, SD
- Enrollment: 809 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
