Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Improved Public Middle Schools in South Dakota (2026)

The most improved public middle schools in South Dakota are Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04, Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14 and Glendale Colony Elementary - 04.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2021-26).
Improved Rank Range: 133 573 Avg. Improved Rank: 272

Most Improved Public Middle Schools in South Dakota (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2021-26)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +573
(from 602 to 29)
Grades: K-8
42906 Colony Rd
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4216
Rank: #22.
Cedar Grove Colony Elementary - 14
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +483
(from 505 to 22)
Grades: K-8
36926 266th St
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-2468
Rank: #33.
Glendale Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +443
(from 570 to 127)
Grades: K-8
17866 Glendale Dr
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #44.
Brentwood Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +430
(from 612 to 182)
Grades: K-8
15442 343rd Ave
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #55.
Spink Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +429
(from 602 to 173)
Grades: K-8
18206 Spink Ln
Tulare, SD 57476
(605) 266-2151
Rank: #66.
Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +384
(from 505 to 121)
Grades: K-8
15185 346th Ave
Faulkton, SD 57438
(605) 598-6266
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Rolland Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +331
(from 589 to 258)
Grades: K-8
48088 210th St
White, SD 57276
(605) 542-2541
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Structured Teaching - 12
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +331
(from 589 to 258)
Grades: 6-12
201 N West Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 367-7647
Rank: #99.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +323
(from 505 to 182)
Grades: K-8
18010 Opal Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Rank: #1010.
Clearfield Colony Elementary - 07
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +312
(from 570 to 258)
Grades: K-8
40248 293rd Ave
Tripp, SD 57376
(605) 935-6766
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Maurine Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +303
(from 505 to 202)
Grades: K-8
17291 Us Hwy 212
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Milesville Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +303
(from 505 to 202)
Grades: K-8
22053 Harding Grove Rd
Philip, SD 57567
(605) 859-2001
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Pearl Creek Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +303
(from 505 to 202)
Grades: 4-8
21085 415th Ave
Iroquois, SD 57353
(605) 546-2210
Rank: #1414.
Big Stone City Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +272
(from 301 to 29)
Grades: 6-8
655 Walnut St
Big Stone City, SD 57216
(605) 862-8108
Rank: #1515.
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +266
(from 589 to 323)
Grades: K-8
43188 Mayfield Rd
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Rank: #16 - 2116. - 21.
Claremont Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
46271 184th St
Castlewood, SD 57223
(605) 793-2497
Rank: #16 - 2116. - 21.
Riverside Colony Elementary - 15
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
40361 200th St
Huron, SD 57350
(605) 353-7800
Rank: #16 - 2116. - 21.
Rosette Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: PK-8
12465 359th Ave
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #16 - 2116. - 21.
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
19087 413th Ave
Willow Lake, SD 57278
(605) 625-5945
Rank: #16 - 2116. - 21.
Westwood Rural Elementary - 05
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
499 Westwood Rd
Britton, SD 57430
(605) 448-2234
Rank: #16 - 2116. - 21.
White Rock Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +247
(from 505 to 258)
Grades: K-8
47788 102nd St
Rosholt, SD 57260
(605) 537-4790
Rank: #2222.
Platte - Geddes Jr. High - 03
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +238
(from 328 to 90)
Grades: 6-8
400 Illinois Ave
Platte, SD 57369
(605) 337-3391
Rank: #2323.
Jamesville Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +225
(from 483 to 258)
Grades: K-8
43582 Ne Jim River Rd
Menno, SD 57045
(605) 387-5161
Rank: #2424.
O'kreek Elementary - 14
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +223
(from 631 to 408)
Grades: K-8
44 School St
Okreek, SD 57563
(605) 856-3507
Rank: #2525.
Rosedale Colony Elementary - 11
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +192
(from 505 to 313)
Grades: K-8
25986 Rosedale Rd
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 239-4215
Rank: #2626.
Tea Area Middle School - 02
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +191
(from 344 to 153)
Grades: 6-8
515 W Brian St
Tea, SD 57064
(605) 498-2700
Rank: #2727.
Rockport Colony Elementary- 10
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +187
(from 369 to 182)
Grades: K-8
25209 Rockport Rd
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4214
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Timber Lake Middle School - 03
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +181
(from 243 to 62)
Grades: 6-8
500 Main St
Timber Lake, SD 57656
(605) 865-3654
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +181
(from 589 to 408)
Grades: PK-8
41844 269th St
Ethan, SD 57334
(605) 928-3040
Rank: #3030.
Lennox Jr. High - 08
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +176
(from 266 to 90)
Grades: 7-8
1201 S Main St
Lennox, SD 57039
(605) 647-2203
Rank: #3131.
Hanson Middle School - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +162
(from 200 to 38)
Grades: 6-8
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Rank: #3232.
Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +160
(from 505 to 345)
Grades: K-8
27709 Tschetter Ave
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4216
Rank: #3333.
Pembrook Colony Elementary - 06
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +159
(from 280 to 121)
Grades: PK-8
35955 139th St
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6832
Rank: #3434.
Upland Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +154
(from 602 to 448)
Grades: K-8
24221 412th Ave
Artesian, SD 57314
(605) 495-4183
Rank: #3535.
Howard Jr. High - 05
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +133
(from 204 to 71)
Grades: 6-8
500 N Section Line
Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-5515
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