For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 572 students in Hanson County, SD. Hanson County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in South Dakota.
The top-ranked public schools in Hanson County, SD are Hanson Elementary - 06, Hanson High School - 01 and Hanson Middle School - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hanson County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Hanson County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Hanson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hanson Elementary - 06
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Gr: PK-5 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Hanson High School - 01
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Gr: 9-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Hanson Middle School - 02
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
230 6th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Gr: 6-8 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Millbrook Colony Elementary - 04
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
41659 256th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Gr: K-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: #55.
Bridgewater-emery Middle School - 04
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
130 N 6th St
Emery, SD 57332
(605) 449-4271
Emery, SD 57332
(605) 449-4271
Gr: 6-8 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Bridgewater-emery High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
130 N 6th St
Emery, SD 57332
(605) 449-4271
Emery, SD 57332
(605) 449-4271
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
26730 423rd Ave
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Gr: K-8 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: n/an/a
41659 256th St
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4387
Gr: 9-12 | 4 students
Hanson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
25209 Rockport Rd
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4214
Alexandria, SD 57311
(605) 239-4214
Gr: K-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Hanson County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Hanson County, SD include Hanson Elementary - 06, Hanson High School - 01 and Hanson Middle School - 02. Hanson County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in South Dakota.
How many public schools are located in Hanson County?
8 public schools are located in Hanson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Hanson County?
Hanson County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
