For the 2025 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 3,320 students in Lawrence County, SD (there are , serving 301 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Elm Springs Elementary - 13. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Lawrence County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Lawrence County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: PK-5
| 124 students
Rank: #22.
Creekside Elementary - 07
(Math: 54% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2325 N Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Grades: 3-5
| 519 students
Rank: #33.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21309 Elm Springs Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 11 students
Rank: #44.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 14 students
Rank: #55.
Atall Elementary - 17
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16375 Atall Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 7 students
Rank: #66.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 13 students
Rank: #77.
Spearfish High School - 01
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1725 N Main
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1212
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1212
Grades: 9-12
| 771 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Black Hills Education Connections - 06
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-8286
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-8286
Grades: 10-12
| 31 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Lead-deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10
Vocational School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
22023 Job Corps Ctr
Nemo, SD 57759
(605) 578-2371
Nemo, SD 57759
(605) 578-2371
Grades: 9-12
| 64 students
Rank: #1010.
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills Elementary - 09
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Grades: 4-8
| 7 students
Rank: #1111.
Spearfish Middle School - 05
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1600 N Canyon
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Grades: 6-8
| 573 students
Rank: #1212.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
234 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Grades: 6-8
| 144 students
Rank: #1313.
Lead-deadwood High School - 01
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
320 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3899
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3899
Grades: 9-12
| 218 students
Rank: #1414.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 48 students
Rank: #1515.
Lead-deadwood Elementary - 03
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
716 Main St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Grades: K-5
| 244 students
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills - 08
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 4-8
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 07
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
400 E Hudson
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1209
Grades: K
| 166 students
Rank: n/an/a
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills High School - 10
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
Rank: n/an/a
920 W King St
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Grades: 1-2
| 348 students
Lawrence County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Black Hills Education Connection - 03 High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 8 students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 3 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Lawrence County, SD include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Elm Springs Elementary - 13.
How many public schools are located in Lawrence County?
20 public schools are located in Lawrence County.
What percentage of students in Lawrence County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Lawrence County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Lawrence County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lawrence County include: Creekside Elementary - 07 vs. West Elementary - 03, Lead-deadwood High School - 01 vs. Spearfish High School - 01, Spearfish High School - 01 vs. Lead-deadwood High School - 01
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