For the 2026 school year, there are 92 private schools serving 15,075 students in South Dakota (there are , serving 145,721 students). 9% of all K-12 students in South Dakota attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $6,455 for elementary schools and $7,985 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in South Dakota include O'Gorman Junior High School, O'gorman High School, and Red Cloud Indian School.
The average acceptance rate is 76% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 21% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
92 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
15,075 Students
5,700,235 Students
% Average Students of Color
21%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
1,229 Teachers
507,979 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
34%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$6,448
$14,879
Average Summer Program Cost
$180
$1,139
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,500
$7,130
Average Acceptance Rate
76%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$61.64 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.59
0.65
# American Indian Students
1,727 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
11%
1%
# Asian Students
161 Students
265,082 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
468 Students
507,339 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
9%
# Black Students
245 Students
416,670 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
9,019 Students
2,933,350 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
99 Students
20,067 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
3,562 Students
1,471,710 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked South Dakota 草榴社区 Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Emerson (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in 草榴社区 Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in South Dakota?
The top-ranked private schools in South Dakota include O'Gorman Junior High School, O'gorman High School, and Red Cloud Indian School.
How many private schools are located in South Dakota?
There are 92 private schools are located in South Dakota.
How much do private schools cost in South Dakota?
The average private school tuition in South Dakota is $6,455 for elementary schools and $7,985 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in South Dakota?
Approximately 21% of students in South Dakota private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in South Dakota go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in South Dakota attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in South Dakota?
Which private schools in South Dakota are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in South Dakota include: Windswept Academy vs. Sunshine Bible Academy, Imaculate Conception vs. Watertown Christian School, Dakot Abilities vs. Education & Integration Services
Recent Articles
The Social Fit Interview: Questions to Ask Students, Not Admissions
Discover how talking with current students can reveal a private school's true culture and help families assess social fit before enrolling.
AI Companions and Student Well-Being: What Parents Should Ask
Learn how AI companions may affect student well-being and discover the key questions parents should ask before embracing this emerging technology.
Is a Phone-Free 草榴社区 School Right for Your Child?
Explore the benefits, challenges, and key considerations of choosing a phone-free private school for your child in 2026.
