Private School Review - Established 2003

Best Lake County Private Elementary Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 2 private elementary schools serving 109 students in Lake County, SD.
The average acceptance rate is 100%, which is higher than the South Dakota private elementary school average acceptance rate of 74%.
100% of private elementary schools in Lake County, SD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked Lake County Private Elementary Schools (2026-27)

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 Elementary Schools

YearLake County Total Schools
20252
20242
20232
20222
20212
20202
20192
20182
20172
20162
20152
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# Students
109 Students
13,070 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private Elementary School

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202555163199
202455160192
202353159193
202252164205
202152159201
202052155188
201963164193
201863160190
201758159199
201658157196
201558151183
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% Average Students of Color
14%
22%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202514%22%33%
202414%22%32%
202310%19%32%
202223%23%32%
202123%24%31%
202023%24%31%
201917%22%31%
201817%22%30%
20178%23%31%
20168%23%31%
20158%35%31%
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Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
8 Teachers
1,135 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
202010:112:111:1
201911:112:111:1
201811:112:111:1
201713:112:111:1
201613:112:112:1
201513:112:112:1
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$2,600
$6,475

Tuition Cost Trends (2020-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025$2,600$6,455$14,043
2024$2,600$4,190$12,357
2023$2,600$3,926$11,693
2022$2,600$3,735$11,199
2021$2,600$3,597$10,824
2020$2,600$3,511$10,496
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Average Acceptance Rate
100%
74%

Acceptance Rate Trends (2020-2025)

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025100%74%81%
2024100%94%85%
2023100%95%85%
2022100%96%85%
2021100%96%86%
2020100%96%86%
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Students by Ethnicity:

0.50
0.60

Diversity Score Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20250.500.600.64
20240.500.590.64
20230.540.550.63
20220.550.620.62
20210.550.620.62
20200.550.620.62
20190.560.590.61
20180.560.590.60
20170.540.580.59
20160.540.580.59
20150.540.580.58
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# American Indian Students
n/a
1,710 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
13%
# Asian Students
n/a
152 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20221%2%5%
20211%2%5%
20201%2%5%
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# Hispanic Students
5 Students
452 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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# Black Students
n/a
234 Students
% Black Students
n/a
2%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20226%2%7%
20216%2%8%
20206%2%8%
20195%2%8%
20185%2%8%
20172%1%7%
20162%1%8%
20152%2%8%
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# White Students
35 Students
7,886 Students
% White Students
32%
58%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202532%59%55%
202432%60%55%
202342%63%55%
202234%54%57%
202134%55%57%
202034%55%58%
201947%59%59%
201847%59%59%
201752%60%61%
201652%60%61%
201552%60%61%
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# Hawaiian Students
n/a
98 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
2,918 Students
% of Others Students
63%
22%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearLake County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202563%21%22%
202463%20%22%
202353%20%22%
202258%26%22%
202158%23%20%
202058%23%19%
201947%22%20%
201847%22%20%
201743%21%19%
201643%20%18%
201543%19%18%
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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 elementary schools in Lake County, SD?
The top ranked private elementary schools in Lake County, SD is St. Thomas School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Lake County?
2 private elementary schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Lake County?
100% of private elementary schools in Lake County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

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