#1 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Red Cloud Indian School
Diocesan school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 84% of Catholic schools nationwide
Pine Ridge, SD
A+Overall grade435 students7 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Private schools in South Dakota with the highest overall grades. Top 42 of 42 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Sunshine Bible Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 83% of Christian schools in South Dakota
Miller, SD
A+Overall grade82 students7 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Children's Home Society of Sd/Loving School
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD
A+Overall grade85 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Christ the King Grade School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 94% of Catholic schools in South Dakota
Sioux Falls, SD
AOverall grade102 students5 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
St. John Paul II Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 69% of Catholic schools in South Dakota
Mitchell, SD
AOverall grade82 students8 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Sacred Heart School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 62% of Catholic schools in South Dakota
Yankton, SD
AOverall grade263 students9 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Windswept Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–11
Smaller classes than 75% of Christian schools in South Dakota
Eagle Butte, SD
A-Overall grade61 students8 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
St. Thomas More Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–4
Smaller classes than 75% of Catholic schools in South Dakota
Brookings, SD
B+Overall grade74 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
St. Joseph Indian School
Independent Catholic school · Grades 1–8
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in South Dakota
Chamberlain, SD
B+Overall grade134 students7 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Trinity Lutheran School
Lutheran (Wisconsin Synod) school · Grades K–8
One of the most diverse private schools in South Dakota
Aberdeen, SD
B+Overall grade62 students14 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Sacred Heart Middle School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 2 Catholic schools in Yankton
Yankton, SD
B+Overall grade230 students9 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–5
One of the most diverse private schools in South Dakota
Huron, SD
B+Overall grade97 students12 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Creekside Christian School
Religious school · Grades K–8
One of the most diverse private schools in South Dakota
Rapid City, SD
B+Overall grade128 students11 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Dakota Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Serving families in Corsica since at least 2011
Corsica, SD
B+Overall grade94 students9 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
St. Agnes Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Serving families in Vermillion since at least 2011
Vermillion, SD
B+Overall grade88 students10 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary
Parish school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Porcupine since at least 2011
Porcupine, SD
BOverall grade113 students9 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Black Hills Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 135% since 2011–12
Spearfish, SD
BOverall grade134 students10 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
St. Lawrence School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Serving families in Milbank since at least 2011
Milbank, SD
BOverall grade91 students10 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Aberdeen Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 67% of Christian schools in South Dakota
Aberdeen, SD
BOverall grade206 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Calvary Christian School
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–5
The largest Christian school in Rapid City
Rapid City, SD
BOverall grade186 students11 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
St. Pauls Lutheran School
Lutheran (Wisconsin Synod) school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 84% since 2011–12
Rapid City, SD
BOverall grade127 students13 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Watertown Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Watertown since at least 2011
Watertown, SD
BOverall grade79 students
#23 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
Pierre Indian Learning Center
Alternative school · Grades 1–8
Smaller classes than 64% of independent schools nationwide
Pierre, SD
BOverall grade107 students6 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in South Dakota
James Valley Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
93% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Huron, SD
BOverall grade208 students10 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.