Best Schools in Box Elder, South Dakota
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Box Elder?
Use this page to compare every school in Box Elder by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Patriot Elementary -06
Elementary · Douglas School District 51-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Douglas High School - 03
High · Douglas School District 51-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
Elementary · Douglas School District 51-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Box Elder for 2026 are Patriot Elementary -06 (8.2/10), Douglas High School - 03 (5.8/10), and Vandenberg Elementary - 02 (5.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$275,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$275,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Box Elder
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patriot Elementary -06 | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Douglas High School - 03 | 5.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Vandenberg Elementary - 02 | 5.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Douglas Middle School - 01 | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $74,936
- Median home value
- $275,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Box Elder compares
South Dakota rank
#77 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$75k
107% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Box Elder, South Dakota
Box Elder, South Dakota is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Box Elder show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Box Elder is Patriot Elementary -06 with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Box Elder is served by 1 school district: Douglas School District 51-1. These districts collectively serve 2,753 students.
Box Elder's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,936. The poverty rate in the area is 10.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 936 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.2 |
| 2 | 442 students · 4th–5th | 5.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 623 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 752 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Box Elder
Box Elder, South Dakota · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$74,936
Median Home Value
$275,400
Median Rent
$1,212/mo
Population
11,475
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Community Profile
Box Elder has a median household income of $74,936. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,400, with a median rent of $1,212/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in South Dakota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Box Elder, South Dakota
How many schools are in Box Elder, South Dakota?
Box Elder has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Box Elder is 6.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Box Elder on MySchoolScout is Patriot Elementary -06 with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Box Elder on MySchoolScout is Patriot Elementary -06 with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Box Elder on MySchoolScout is Douglas Middle School - 01 with a composite score of 4.9/10.
What is the best high school in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Box Elder on MySchoolScout is Douglas High School - 03 with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Box Elder, South Dakota?
Box Elder is served by 1 school district: Douglas School District 51-1.
What is the education level in Box Elder, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Box Elder have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The median household income in Box Elder is approximately $74,936 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Box Elder, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Box Elder is 16.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Box Elder, South Dakota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, South Dakota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.