Private School Review - Established 2003
St. Katharine Drexel Elementary Top 11 · Lowest Tuition (SD)
Freeman Academy Top 3 · Oldest Founding Date (SD)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Top 17 · Lowest Tuition (SD)

Best South Dakota Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 91 private schools serving 14,978 students in South Dakota, versus 724 public schools serving 146,776 students (9% of K-12 students attend private schools, vs. national average 10%).
The average private school tuition is $6,475 for elementary schools and $8,044 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
81% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 91
  • # Students Served: 14,978
  • Average Tuition: $6,467
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 29%
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Average Class Size: 15 students
  • % Students of Color: 22%
  • View South Dakota School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 91
  • # Students Served: 14,978
  • Average Tuition: $6,467
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 29%
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Average Class Size: 15 students
  • % Students of Color: 22%
  • View South Dakota School Trends

Top Ranked South Dakota Private Schools (2026-27)

Freeman Academy Photo
Freeman Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 54 students
Sports: 8 | Extracurriculars: 5
Mennonite
748 S Main
Freeman, SD 57029
(605) 925-4237
(1)
View Profile
Holy Spirit Elementary Photo
Holy Spirit Elementary
Gr: NS-6 | 354 students
Avg. class size: 24 students
Catholic
4309 S Bahnson Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 371-1481
(1)
View Profile
O'gorman High School Photo
O'gorman High School
Gr: 9-12 | 788 students
Avg. class size: 24 students
Sports: 18 | Extracurriculars: 37
Catholic
3201 S Kiwanis Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 336-3644
View Profile
O'Gorman Junior High School Photo
O'Gorman Junior High School
Gr: 7-8 | 382 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 12 | Extracurriculars: 15
Catholic
3100 W 41st St
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 988-0546
View Profile
Our Savior Lutheran School Photo
Our Savior Lutheran School
Gr: K-5 | 20 students
Avg. class size: 10 students
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
1010 8th Street South
Brookings, SD 57006
(605) 692-6989
View Profile
Rapid City Christian School Photo
Rapid City Christian School
Gr: 6-12 | 333 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 10 | Extracurriculars: 7
23757 Arena Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 341-3377
View Profile
St. Mary Elementary Photo
St. Mary Elementary
Gr: PK-6 | 367 students
Catholic
2000 S 4th Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 334-9881
(1)
View Profile
St. Michael Elementary Photo
St. Michael Elementary
Gr: PK-6 | 287 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Catholic
1610 S Marion Rd
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 361-0021
(1)
View Profile
Sioux Falls Christian Schools Photo
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Gr: PK-12 | 1,615 students
Avg. class size: 23 students
Sports: 13 | Extracurriculars: 5
Christian
6120 S Charger Circle
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 334-1422
(5)
View Profile
Sioux Falls Lutheran School Photo
Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Gr: NS-12 | 544 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 9 | Extracurriculars: 11
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
6715 South Boe Lane
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 335-1923
(4)
View Profile

South Dakota Private School Trends (10-Year)

91
Private Schools
+5.8% (+5 schools) 10-yr
14,978
Students
+17.4% (+2,220 students) 10-yr
$6,467
Avg. Tuition
+110.4% (+$3,393) 10-yr
15
Avg. Class Size
-16.7% (-3 students) 9-yr
22%
Students of Color
-31.3% (-10.0 pp) 10-yr
12:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
Enrollment & Diversity
Category
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
91 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

Year(SD) Total Schools
202592
202492
202388
202285
202189
202095
201989
201890
201784
201685
201586
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# Students
14,978 Students
5,689,068 Students

View Largest South Dakota Private Schools

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
2025166179
2024163172
2023157174
2022167185
2021162180
2020153171
2019160175
2018157172
2017154180
2016153178
2015148167
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% Average Students of Color
22%
34%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
202521%34%
202421%34%
202319%33%
202222%33%
202123%32%
202023%32%
201921%31%
201821%31%
201721%32%
201621%32%
201532%32%
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Student By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends

GradeSouth Dakota
Nursey126
Pre-K2,616
Kind1,262
11,058
21,049
31,004
4981
51,095
6865
7900
8839
9901
10731
11774
12755
Not Listed22
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Academics
# Teachers
1,225 Teachers
508,541 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
202512:111:1
202412:111:1
202313:111:1
202212:111:1
202112:111:1
202012:112:1
201912:112:1
201812:112:1
201712:112:1
201612:112:1
201512:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
35%
55%

View South Dakota Private Schools with the Most Educated Faculty

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2017-2025)

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
202534%55%
202434%54%
202329%54%
202228%54%
202128%54%
202028%54%
201928%53%
201827%53%
201728%53%
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Average Class Size
15 students
15 students

Class Size Trends (2016-2025)

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
20251515
20241615
20231615
20221715
20211715
20201715
20191715
20181715
20171815
20161815
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Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$6,467
$14,950

View South Dakota Private Schools By Tuition Cost

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
2025$6,448$15,012
2024$4,277$13,254
2023$4,025$12,626
2022$3,825$12,187
2021$3,699$11,800
2020$3,624$11,512
2019$3,720$11,293
2018$3,679$11,017
2017$3,248$10,708
2016$3,485$10,356
2015$3,074$9,939
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Average Summer Program Cost
$180
$1,152
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,500
$7,249
Average Acceptance Rate
76%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$63.49 million
Students by Ethnicity
0.59
0.65

View South Dakota Private Schools Minority Statistics

Diversity Score Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
20250.590.65
20240.580.65
20230.550.65
20220.610.64
20210.610.64
20200.610.64
20190.580.63
20180.580.63
20170.560.61
20160.570.61
20150.560.61
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# American Indian Students
1,727 Students
29,815 Students
% American Indian Students
11%
1%

Percentage of Private School Students of American Indian Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
202511%1%
202412%1%
202310%1%
202213%2%
202114%1%
202013%1%
201912%1%
201812%2%
201713%1%
201614%1%
201514%1%
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# Asian Students
161 Students
264,651 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
20251%5%
20241%5%
20231%5%
20222%4%
20212%4%
20202%4%
20192%4%
20182%4%
20171%4%
20161%4%
20151%4%
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# Hispanic Students
468 Students
506,732 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
9%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
20253%9%
20243%9%
20232%9%
20222%8%
20212%9%
20202%9%
20192%8%
20182%8%
20172%8%
20162%8%
20152%8%
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# Black Students
244 Students
415,642 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
20252%7%
20242%7%
20232%8%
20222%7%
20212%7%
20202%8%
20192%7%
20182%7%
20171%7%
20161%7%
20151%8%
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# White Students
8,987 Students
2,930,002 Students
% White Students
59%
52%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
202559%52%
202460%52%
202363%52%
202255%54%
202156%54%
202056%54%
201959%56%
201860%56%
201761%58%
201661%58%
201562%58%
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# Hawaiian Students
99 Students
20,065 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
1,473,726 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearSouth Dakota (SD) AvgNational
202523%26%
202421%26%
202321%25%
202226%25%
202124%25%
202025%24%
201923%24%
201822%23%
201722%22%
201621%22%
201520%21%
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All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars & Sports
Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in South Dakota?
The top-ranked private schools in South Dakota include Sunshine Bible Academy, O'gorman High School, and Rapid City Christian School.
How many private schools are located in South Dakota?
There are 91 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 $6,475 for elementary schools and $8,044 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in South Dakota?
Approximately 22% 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?
81% of private schools in South Dakota are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in South Dakota are often viewed compared to one another?

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