Private School Review - Established 2003

Best Lawrence County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 2 private schools serving 301 students in Lawrence County, SD (there are 20 public schools, serving 3,320 public students). 8% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
The average acceptance rate is 25%, which is lower than the South Dakota private school average acceptance rate of 76%.
50% of private schools in Lawrence County, SD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian).

Quick Facts (2026)

Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked Lawrence County Private Schools (2026)

Map of Black Hills Christian Academy
Black Hills Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 191 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Sports: 1
Christian
630 South 32nd Street
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 722-1276
(1)
View Profile
Map of Chrildren First
Chrildren First
Gr: PK-K | 110 students
Daycare / Preschool
236 W Jackson Blvd Ste B
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-1191
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
2 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearLawrence County Total Schools
20252
20242
20232
20222
20213
20203
20193
20183
20173
20163
20153
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# Students
301 Students
14,978 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025151166179
2024151163172
2023151157174
2022140167185
2021121162180
2020121153171
2019121160175
2018122157172
2017106154180
2016106153178
2015108148167
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% Average Students of Color
2%
22%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20252%21%34%
20242%21%34%
20233%19%33%
20225%22%33%
20216%23%32%
20206%23%32%
20195%21%31%
20186%21%31%
20172%21%32%
20165%21%32%
20156%32%32%
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Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
29 Teachers
1,225 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202510:112:111:1
202410:112:111:1
202310:113:111:1
202214:112:111:1
202113:112:111:1
202013:112:112:1
201913:112:112:1
201813:112:112:1
201713:112:112:1
201613:112:112:1
201514:112:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
15%
35%

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

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202515%34%55%
202415%34%54%
202315%29%54%
20221%28%54%
20211%28%54%
20201%28%54%
20191%28%53%
20181%27%53%
201715%28%53%
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Average Class Size
12 students
15 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025121515
2024121615
2023121615
2022121715
2021121715
2020121715
2019121715
2018121715
2017121815
2016101815
2015101715
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Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
11 courses

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$5,511
$6,448

Tuition Cost Trends (2023-2025)

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
2025$5,511$6,448$15,012
2024$5,511$4,277$13,254
2023$5,000$4,025$12,626
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Average % on Financial Aid
8%
29%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20258%29%34%
20248%17%34%
20238%17%34%
20228%17%33%
20218%19%33%
20208%19%32%
20198%19%31%
20188%19%30%
20179%19%30%
20165%15%29%
20155%15%28%
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Average Acceptance Rate
25%
76%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.49
0.59

Diversity Score Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20250.490.590.65
20240.490.580.65
20230.490.550.65
20220.380.610.64
20210.530.610.64
20200.530.610.64
20190.530.580.63
20180.530.580.63
20170.550.560.61
20160.540.570.61
20150.550.560.61
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# American Indian Students
n/a
1,727 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
11%

Percentage of Private School Students of American Indian Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20211%14%1%
20201%13%1%
20191%12%1%
20182%12%2%
20172%13%1%
20162%14%1%
20152%14%1%
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# Asian Students
n/a
161 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20221%2%4%
20212%2%4%
20202%2%4%
20192%2%4%
20182%2%4%
20172%1%4%
20163%1%4%
20152%1%4%
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# Hispanic Students
2 Students
468 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
3%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20251%3%9%
20241%3%9%
20231%2%9%
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# Black Students
1 Student
244 Students
% Black Students
1%
2%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
20251%2%7%
20241%2%7%
20231%2%8%
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# White Students
117 Students
8,987 Students
% White Students
61%
59%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202561%59%52%
202461%60%52%
202361%63%52%
202224%55%54%
202142%56%54%
202042%56%54%
201942%59%56%
201841%60%56%
201751%61%58%
201651%61%58%
201550%62%58%
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# 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
71 Students
3,562 Students
% of Others Students
37%
23%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearLawrence County AverageSouth Dakota (SD) AverageNational Average
202537%23%26%
202437%21%26%
202337%21%25%
202275%26%25%
202155%24%25%
202055%25%24%
201955%23%24%
201855%22%23%
201745%22%22%
201644%21%22%
201546%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:

Average Number of Sports
1 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top ranked private schools in Lawrence County, SD is Black Hills Christian Academy.
How many private schools are located in Lawrence County?
2 private schools are located in Lawrence County.
What percentage of students in Lawrence County go to private school?
8% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Lawrence County?
50% of private schools in Lawrence County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian).

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