Best Schools in Canton, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Canton?
Use this page to compare every school in Canton 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.
Lawrence Elementary - 02
Elementary · Canton School District 41-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Canton Middle School - 04
Middle · Canton School District 41-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Canton High School - 01
High · Canton School District 41-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Canton for 2026 are Lawrence Elementary - 02 (8.3/10), Canton Middle School - 04 (6.8/10), and Canton High School - 01 (6.1/10), 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
7.1
out of 10
Median Home
$224,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.1
out of 10
Median Home
$224,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Canton
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 | Lawrence Elementary - 02 | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Canton Middle School - 04 | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Canton High School - 01 | 6.1 / 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
- 7.1/10
- Median household income
- $77,813
- Median home value
- $224,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Canton compares
South Dakota rank
#31 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$78k
111% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Canton, South Dakota
Canton, 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 7.1 out of 10, schools in Canton 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 Canton is Lawrence Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Canton is served by 1 school district: Canton School District 41-1. These districts collectively serve 880 students.
Canton's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $77,813. The poverty rate in the area is 6.5%.
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 | 404 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 198 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 278 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Canton
Canton, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$77,813
Median Home Value
$224,600
Median Rent
$704/mo
Population
4,378
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Community Profile
Canton has a median household income of $77,813. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,600, with a median rent of $704/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 1
- 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 Canton, South Dakota
How many schools are in Canton, South Dakota?
Canton has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Canton, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Canton is 7.1 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 Canton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Canton on MySchoolScout is Lawrence Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Canton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Canton on MySchoolScout is Lawrence Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Canton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Canton on MySchoolScout is Canton Middle School - 04 with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Canton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Canton on MySchoolScout is Canton High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Canton, South Dakota?
Canton is served by 1 school district: Canton School District 41-1.
What is the education level in Canton, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Canton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Canton, South Dakota?
The median household income in Canton is approximately $77,813 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Canton, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Canton is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Canton, 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.