For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,372 students in Yankton County, SD (there are 4 private schools, serving 490 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Yankton County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Yankton County, SD are Stewart Elementary - 05, Yankton High School - 01 and Beadle Elementary - 03. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Yankton County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Yankton County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% 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 Yankton County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Stewart Elementary - 05
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
208 W 21st St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-5765
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-5765
Gr: K-5 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Yankton High School - 01
(Math: 44% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1801 Summit St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2073
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2073
Gr: 9-12 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Beadle Elementary - 03
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1214 Mulberry St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2282
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2282
Gr: K-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Yankton Middle School - 02
(Math: 43% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2000 Mulberry St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2419
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2419
Gr: 6-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Elementary - 04
(Math: 46% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
815 Locust St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-7392
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-7392
Gr: K-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Gayville-volin High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Kingsbury St
Gayville, SD 57031
(605) 267-4476
Gayville, SD 57031
(605) 267-4476
Gr: 9-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Gayville-volin Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Kingsbury St
Gayville, SD 57031
(605) 267-4476
Gayville, SD 57031
(605) 267-4476
Gr: PK-5 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Gayville-volin Middle School - 03
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Kingsbury St
Gayville, SD 57031
(605) 267-4476
Gayville, SD 57031
(605) 267-4476
Gr: 6-8 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #99.
Webster Elementary - 06
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
317 E 7th St
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2484
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-2484
Gr: PK-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Yankton County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Yankton County, SD include Stewart Elementary - 05, Yankton High School - 01 and Beadle Elementary - 03.
How many public schools are located in Yankton County?
9 public schools are located in Yankton County.
What percentage of students in Yankton County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Yankton County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Yankton County?
Yankton County public schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Yankton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Yankton County include: Stewart Elementary - 05 vs. Beadle Elementary - 03
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.
