Best Watertown Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 private schools serving 585 students in Watertown, SD (there are 10 public schools, serving 3,788 public students). 13% of all K-12 students in Watertown, SD are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
The top-ranked private school in Watertown, SD is Imaculate Conception.
100% of private schools in Watertown, SD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Catholic).

Top-Ranked Watertown Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Imaculate Conception
(Catholic)
109 3rd St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-3883
Gr: PK-6 | 158 students Tuition listed
Great Plains Lutheran High School
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
1200 Luther Ln NE
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-0672
Gr: 9-12 | 133 students
St. Martins Lutheran School
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
1200 2nd St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-4976
Gr: PK-8 | 227 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition listed
Trinity Lutheran School
(Other Lutheran)
1800 E Kemp Ste 2
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-3224
Gr: 2-8 | 7 students
Watertown Christian School
(Christian)
15 12th Avenue Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0949
Gr: K-8 | 60 students

Overview

This Town (Watertown)
This State (SD)
# Schools
5 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
585 Students
15,075 Students
% Average Students of Color
5%
21%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
51 Teachers
1,229 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
30%
34%
Average Class Size
19 students
15 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$2,415
$6,448

Students by Ethnicity:

0.38
0.59
# American Indian Students
n/a
1,727 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
11%
# Asian Students
4 Students
161 Students
% Asian Students
1%
1%
# Hispanic Students
11 Students
468 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
3%
# Black Students
11 Students
245 Students
% Black Students
2%
2%
# White Students
448 Students
9,019 Students
% White Students
76%
59%
# 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
111 Students
3,562 Students
% of Others Students
19%
23%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
1 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Watertown, SD?
The top-ranked private schools in Watertown, SD is Imaculate Conception.
How many private schools are located in Watertown?
5 private schools are located in Watertown.
How diverse are private schools in Watertown?
Watertown private schools are approximately 5% minority students, which is lower than the South Dakota private school average of 21%.
What percentage of students in Watertown go to private school?
13% of all K-12 students in Watertown are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Watertown?
100% of private schools in Watertown are religiously affiliated (most commonly Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Catholic).
Which private schools in Watertown are often viewed compared to one another?

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