For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 1,086 students in Meade County, SD.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Meade County, SD are Opal Elementary - 15, Maurine Elementary - 04 and Hereford Elementary - 08. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Meade County, SD public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Meade County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Middle Schools in Meade County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #22.
Maurine Elementary - 04
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
17291 Us Hwy 212
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #44.
Developmental Disabilities Program - 01
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2885 Dickson Dr
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 423-4444
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 423-4444
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #55.
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02
(Math: 41% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Cedar St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-5232
Gr: 5-8 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Stagebarn Middle School - 10
(Math: 44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
12500 Sturgis Rd
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Piedmont, SD 57769
(605) 787-4172
Gr: 5-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Union Center, SD 57787
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
Faith Jr. High - 06
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
206 W 5th St
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2152
Gr: 7-8 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
Hwy 34 East Cherry Creek Rd
Howes, SD 57748
(605) 538-4399
Howes, SD 57748
(605) 538-4399
Gr: K-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Meade County, SD?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Meade County, SD include Opal Elementary - 15, Maurine Elementary - 04 and Hereford Elementary - 08.
How many public middle schools are located in Meade County?
5 public middle schools are located in Meade County.
What is the racial composition of students in Meade County?
Meade County public middle schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle schools average of 42% (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.
