Best Schools in Brookings, South Dakota
7 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Brookings?
Use this page to compare every school in Brookings 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.
Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07
Elementary · Brookings School District 05-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hillcrest Elementary - 04
Elementary · Brookings School District 05-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Medary Elementary - 05
Elementary · Brookings School District 05-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Brookings for 2026 are Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 (6.6/10), Hillcrest Elementary - 04 (6.3/10), and Medary Elementary - 05 (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$253,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$253,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Brookings
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 | 6.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Hillcrest Elementary - 04 | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Medary Elementary - 05 | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Brookings High School - 01 | 4.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Camelot Intermediate - 06 | 4.7 / 10 |
| 6 | George S. Mickelson Middle School - 02 | 4.6 / 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
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $64,818
- Median home value
- $253,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 12 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Brookings compares
South Dakota rank
#104 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$65k
93% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings, South Dakota is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Brookings 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 Brookings is Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 with a composite score of 6.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Brookings is served by 1 school district: Brookings School District 05-1. These districts collectively serve 3,446 students.
Brookings's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $64,818. The poverty rate in the area is 14.9%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 490 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 316 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 336 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 503 students · 4th–5th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Peace Lutheran School
Private
15 students · Pre-K–3rd | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 773 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,028 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
Schools in Brookings
Brookings, South Dakota · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$64,818
Median Home Value
$253,700
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
23,838
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
12 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Community Profile
Brookings has a median household income of $64,818. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $253,700, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 5
- 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 Brookings, South Dakota
How many schools are in Brookings, South Dakota?
Brookings has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Brookings, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Brookings is 5.4 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 Brookings, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Brookings on MySchoolScout is Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Brookings, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Brookings on MySchoolScout is Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Brookings, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Brookings on MySchoolScout is George S. Mickelson Middle School - 02 with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Brookings, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Brookings on MySchoolScout is Brookings High School - 01 with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Brookings, South Dakota?
Brookings is served by 1 school district: Brookings School District 05-1.
What is the education level in Brookings, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Brookings have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Brookings, South Dakota?
The median household income in Brookings is approximately $64,818 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Brookings, South Dakota?
Yes, Brookings has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Brookings, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Brookings is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Brookings, 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.