Private School Review - Established 2003

Best Lake County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 2 private schools serving 109 students in Lake County, SD (there are 15 public schools, serving 2,041 public students). 5% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
The average acceptance rate is 100%, which is higher than the South Dakota private school average acceptance rate of 76%.
100% of private schools in Lake County, SD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Quick Facts (2026)

Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked Lake County Private Schools (2026)

Map of St. Thomas School
St. Thomas School
Gr: PK-5 | 74 students
Catholic
401 N Van Eps Ave
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-4419
View Profile
Map of Madison Christian School
Madison Christian School
Gr: PK-4 | 35 students
Christian
45369 234th St
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 427-0109
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
2 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearLake County Total Schools
20252
20242
20232
20222
20212
20202
20192
20182
20172
20162
20152
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Students
109 Students
14,978 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202555166179
202455163172
202353157174
202252167185
202152162180
202052153171
201963160175
201863157172
201758154180
201658153178
201558148167
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Average Students of Color
14%
22%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202514%21%34%
202414%21%34%
202310%19%33%
202223%22%33%
202123%23%32%
202023%23%32%
201917%21%31%
201817%21%31%
20178%21%32%
20168%21%32%
20158%32%32%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
8 Teachers
1,225 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202514:112:111:1
202414:112:111:1
202315:113:111:1
202210:112:111:1
202110:112:111:1
202010:112:112:1
201911:112:112:1
201811:112:112:1
201713:112:112:1
201613:112:112:1
201513:112:112:1
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$2,600
$6,448

Tuition Cost Trends (2020-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025$2,600$6,448$15,012
2024$2,600$4,277$13,254
2023$2,600$4,025$12,626
2022$2,600$3,825$12,187
2021$2,600$3,699$11,800
2020$2,600$3,624$11,512
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Average Acceptance Rate
100%
76%

Acceptance Rate Trends (2020-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025100%76%81%
2024100%95%85%
2023100%96%85%
2022100%97%85%
2021100%97%85%
2020100%97%85%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.50
0.59

Diversity Score Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20250.500.590.65
20240.500.580.65
20230.540.550.65
20220.550.610.64
20210.550.610.64
20200.550.610.64
20190.560.580.63
20180.560.580.63
20170.540.560.61
20160.540.570.61
20150.540.560.61
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# American Indian Students
n/a
1,727 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
11%
# Asian Students
n/a
161 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20221%2%4%
20211%2%4%
20201%2%4%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hispanic Students
5 Students
468 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
3%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20255%3%9%
20245%3%9%
20235%2%9%
20221%2%8%
20211%2%9%
20201%2%9%
20191%2%8%
20181%2%8%
20173%2%8%
20163%2%8%
20153%2%8%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Black Students
n/a
244 Students
% Black Students
n/a
2%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20226%2%7%
20216%2%7%
20206%2%8%
20195%2%7%
20185%2%7%
20172%1%7%
20162%1%7%
20152%1%8%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# White Students
35 Students
8,987 Students
% White Students
32%
59%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202532%59%52%
202432%60%52%
202342%63%52%
202234%55%54%
202134%56%54%
202034%56%54%
201947%59%56%
201847%60%56%
201752%61%58%
201652%61%58%
201552%62%58%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hawaiian Students
n/a
99 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
69 Students
3,562 Students
% of Others Students
63%
23%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202563%23%26%
202463%21%26%
202353%21%25%
202258%26%25%
202158%24%25%
202058%25%24%
201947%23%24%
201847%22%23%
201743%22%22%
201643%21%22%
201543%20%21%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Lake County, SD?
The top ranked private schools in Lake County, SD is St. Thomas School.
How many private schools are located in Lake County?
2 private schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of students in Lake County go to private school?
5% of all K-12 students in Lake County are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Lake County?
100% of private schools in Lake County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

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