Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School in Saint Francis, SD serves 37 co–ed students from kindergarten through 8th grade in a rural community setting.
Founded in 1905, the school operates with a student–teacher ratio of 7:1 supported by 5 teachers.
The school has a Catholic religious affiliation and is a member of the Islamic School League of America (ISLA).
Sapa Un Catholic Academy ranks in the top 20% of private schools in South Dakota for student diversity and school history.
The student body is 100% students of color, reflecting the school's diverse enrollment within the rural Saint Francis area.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked SD School
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 37 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Year Founded
1905
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
37 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
100%
State avg.: 21%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
5 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 11:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School's ranking?
Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Dakota for: Highest percentage of students of color and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School?
The application deadline for Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school, elementary school and preschool to Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School is St. Francis Indian School (0.2 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
502 Warrior Dr
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 575 students
White Eagle Christian Academy
(Pentecostal)
485 E. 2nd St.
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-2476
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-2476
16.8 miles
Gr: 1-10 | 11 students Tuition listed
Zion Lutheran School ![Zion Lutheran School Photo - Your child's academic classroom setting]( "Zion Lutheran School Photo - Your child's academic classroom setting")
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
224 N Government St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2745
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2745
26 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 47 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
Lakota Waldorf School
Special Program Emphasis
3 Mile Creek Rd
Kyle, SD 57752
(605) 455-2487
Kyle, SD 57752
(605) 455-2487
69.9 miles
Gr: K-8 | 28 students
Our Lady Of Lourdes Elementary School
(Catholic)
500 Lourdes Lane
Porcupine, SD 57772
(605) 867-2801
Porcupine, SD 57772
(605) 867-2801
72.1 miles
Gr: K-8 | 97 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
502 Warrior Dr
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 575 students
White Eagle Christian Academy
(Pentecostal)
485 E. 2nd St.
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-2476
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-2476
16.8 miles
Gr: 1-10 | 11 students Tuition listed
100 Mission Dr
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
(605) 407-8289
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
(605) 407-8289
84.9 miles
Gr: K-12 | 435 students Avg. class size: 15 students
St. Marys Schools
(Catholic)
300 N 4th St
Oneill, NE 68763
(402) 336-4455
Oneill, NE 68763
(402) 336-4455
123.7 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 218 students
400 Sunshine Dr
Miller, SD 57362
(605) 853-3071
Miller, SD 57362
(605) 853-3071
126.2 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 64 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
502 Warrior Dr
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 575 students
White Eagle Christian Academy
(Pentecostal)
485 E. 2nd St.
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-2476
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-2476
16.8 miles
Gr: 1-10 | 11 students Tuition listed
Zion Lutheran School ![Zion Lutheran School Photo - Your child's academic classroom setting]( "Zion Lutheran School Photo - Your child's academic classroom setting")
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
224 N Government St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2745
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2745
26 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 47 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
Lakota Waldorf School
Special Program Emphasis
3 Mile Creek Rd
Kyle, SD 57752
(605) 455-2487
Kyle, SD 57752
(605) 455-2487
69.9 miles
Gr: K-8 | 28 students
Our Lady Of Lourdes Elementary School
(Catholic)
500 Lourdes Lane
Porcupine, SD 57772
(605) 867-2801
Porcupine, SD 57772
(605) 867-2801
72.1 miles
Gr: K-8 | 97 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
502 Warrior Dr
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 575 students
Zion Lutheran School ![Zion Lutheran School Photo - Your child's academic classroom setting]( "Zion Lutheran School Photo - Your child's academic classroom setting")
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
224 N Government St
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2745
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2745
26 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 47 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
St. Joseph Elementary School
(Catholic)
102 N. Tuller
Atkinson, NE 68713
(402) 925-2104
Atkinson, NE 68713
(402) 925-2104
106.3 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 78 students
Chadron State College Child Development Center Lab
Daycare / Preschool
1000 Main St - Burkhiser Technology Comp
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-6372
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-6372
108.2 miles
Gr: PK-K | 36 students Tuition listed
New Holland Christian School
(Christian)
100 S Church Ave
New Holland, SD 57364
(605) 243-2250
New Holland, SD 57364
(605) 243-2250
117.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 57 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
502 E Warrior Drive
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2299
0.3 miles
Gr: K-12 | 630 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Spring Creek Elementary - 07
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
233 Yellow Cloud Dr
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2541
Saint Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2541
6.4 miles
Gr: K-8 | 57 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Rosebud Elementary - 04
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
405 Spotted Tail Dr
Rosebud, SD 57570
(605) 747-2411
Rosebud, SD 57570
(605) 747-2411
6.9 miles
Gr: K-5 | 292 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
He Dog Elementary - 05
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
28152 Hwy 63
Parmelee, SD 57566
(605) 856-3553
Parmelee, SD 57566
(605) 856-3553
13.6 miles
Gr: K-8 | 189 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Cody-kilgore Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Nth Burlington Street
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
Kilgore, NE 69216
(402) 966-2291
14.1 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 73 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
School Reviews
Endorse Sapa Un Catholic Academy Elementary School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.
