Best Schools in Chester, South Dakota
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Chester?
Use this page to compare every school in Chester 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.
Chester High School - 01
High · Chester Area School District 39-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Chester Middle School - 03
Middle · Chester Area School District 39-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Chester Elementary -02
Elementary · Chester Area School District 39-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chester for 2026 are Chester High School - 01 (8.7/10), Chester Middle School - 03 (7.0/10), and Chester Elementary -02 (6.1/10), 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$225,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$225,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester High School - 01 | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Chester Middle School - 03 | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Chester Elementary -02 | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Rustic Acres Elementary - 04 | 5.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Chester Area Cyber School - 92 | 4.3 / 10 |
| 6 | High Plains - 06 | 4.1 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $92,125
- Median home value
- $225,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 91%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Chester compares
South Dakota rank
#83 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$92k
132% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Chester, South Dakota
Chester, South Dakota is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Chester 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 Chester is Chester High School - 01 with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chester is served by 1 school district: Chester Area School District 39-1. These districts collectively serve 542 students.
Chester's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $92,125. The poverty rate in the area is 1.2%.
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 | 148 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 39 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 69 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 103 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 101 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 |
| 3 | 61 students · 9th–12th | 4.1 |
Schools in Chester
Chester, South Dakota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$92,125
Median Home Value
$225,600
Median Rent
$1,107/mo
Population
680
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
91%
Poverty Rate
1.2%
Community Profile
Chester has a median household income of $92,125. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,600, with a median rent of $1,107/month. The local poverty rate of 1.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
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 Chester, South Dakota
How many schools are in Chester, South Dakota?
Chester has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chester, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chester is 6.0 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 Chester, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester High School - 01 with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chester, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Elementary -02 with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Chester, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Chester, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester High School - 01 with a composite score of 8.7/10.
How many school districts serve Chester, South Dakota?
Chester is served by 1 school district: Chester Area School District 39-1.
What is the education level in Chester, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Chester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chester, South Dakota?
The median household income in Chester is approximately $92,125 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chester is 14.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chester, 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.