Best Schools in De Smet, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in De Smet?
Use this page to compare every school in De Smet 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.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02
Elementary · De Smet School District 38-2. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
De Smet Middle School - 03
Middle · De Smet School District 38-2. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
De Smet High School - 01
High · De Smet School District 38-2. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in De Smet for 2026 are Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 (8.4/10), De Smet Middle School - 03 (8.4/10), and De Smet High School - 01 (7.1/10), 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
8.0
out of 10
Median Home
$173,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
8.0
out of 10
Median Home
$173,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among De Smet schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in De Smet
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 3 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | De Smet Middle School - 03 | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | De Smet High School - 01 | 7.1 / 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
- 8.0/10
- Median household income
- $69,375
- Median home value
- $173,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How De Smet compares
South Dakota rank
#5 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.6
above South Dakota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$69k
99% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
De Smet School District 38-2 runs De Smet's public schools
3 public schools. De Smet School District 38-2 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in De Smet is a De Smet School District 38-2 school (3 of 3).
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 7.1 to 8.4 — the spread is inside De Smet, not a citywide average.
About Schools in De Smet, South Dakota
De Smet, 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 8.0 out of 10, schools in De Smet perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in De Smet is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
De Smet is served by 1 school district: De Smet School District 38-2. These districts collectively serve 354 students.
De Smet's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,375. The poverty rate in the area is 7.6%.
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 | 178 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 86 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Schools in De Smet
De Smet, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,375
Median Home Value
$173,600
Median Rent
$748/mo
Population
1,769
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
83%
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Community Profile
De Smet has a median household income of $69,375. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% 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 De Smet, South Dakota
How many schools are in De Smet, South Dakota?
De Smet has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in De Smet, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in De Smet is 8.0 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 De Smet, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in De Smet on MySchoolScout is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in De Smet, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in De Smet on MySchoolScout is Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in De Smet, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in De Smet on MySchoolScout is De Smet Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best high school in De Smet, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in De Smet on MySchoolScout is De Smet High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve De Smet, South Dakota?
De Smet is served by 1 school district: De Smet School District 38-2.
What is the education level in De Smet, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in De Smet have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in De Smet, South Dakota?
The median household income in De Smet is approximately $69,375 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in De Smet, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in De Smet is 15.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in De Smet, 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.