Best Schools in Buffalo, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Buffalo?
Use this page to compare every school in Buffalo 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.
Buffalo Elementary - 02
Elementary · Harding County School District 31-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harding County Middle School - 03
Middle · Harding County School District 31-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harding County High School - 01
High · Harding County School District 31-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Buffalo for 2026 are Buffalo Elementary - 02 (8.4/10), Harding County Middle School - 03 (7.1/10), and Harding County High School - 01 (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$128,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$128,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Buffalo
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo Elementary - 02 | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Harding County Middle School - 03 | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Harding County High School - 01 | 6.2 / 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
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $78,333
- Median home value
- $128,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Buffalo compares
South Dakota rank
#27 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$78k
112% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Buffalo, South Dakota
Buffalo, South Dakota is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Buffalo perform strongly 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 Buffalo is Buffalo Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Buffalo is served by 1 school district: Harding County School District 31-1. These districts collectively serve 221 students.
Buffalo's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $78,333. The poverty rate in the area is 8.4%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 62 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Schools in Buffalo
Buffalo, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$78,333
Median Home Value
$128,800
Median Rent
$579/mo
Population
561
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
81%
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Community Profile
Buffalo has a median household income of $78,333. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,800, with a median rent of $579/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Buffalo, South Dakota
How many schools are in Buffalo, South Dakota?
Buffalo has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Buffalo, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Buffalo is 7.2 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 Buffalo, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Buffalo Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Buffalo, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Buffalo Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Buffalo, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Harding County Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best high school in Buffalo, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Harding County High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Buffalo, South Dakota?
Buffalo is served by 1 school district: Harding County School District 31-1.
What is the education level in Buffalo, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Buffalo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Buffalo, South Dakota?
The median household income in Buffalo is approximately $78,333 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Buffalo, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Buffalo is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Buffalo, 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.