Best Schools in Dell Rapids, South Dakota
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Dell Rapids?
Use this page to compare every school in Dell Rapids 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.
Dell Rapids Elementary - 02
Elementary · Dell Rapids School District 49-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dell Rapids Middle School - 03
Middle · Dell Rapids School District 49-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dell Rapids High School - 01
High · Dell Rapids School District 49-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dell Rapids for 2026 are Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 (9.1/10), Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 (7.8/10), and Dell Rapids High School - 01 (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$293,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$293,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dell Rapids
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Dell Rapids High School - 01 | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | St Mary Grade School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 5 | St Mary Catholic School | 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $100,595
- Median home value
- $293,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dell Rapids compares
South Dakota rank
#64 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$101k
144% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Dell Rapids, South Dakota
Dell Rapids, South Dakota is home to 5 schools, including 3 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Dell Rapids 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 Dell Rapids is Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dell Rapids is served by 1 school district: Dell Rapids School District 49-3. These districts collectively serve 973 students.
Dell Rapids's community shows 37% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $100,595. The poverty rate in the area is 5.6%.
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 | 379 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 280 students · 5th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 314 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Mary Grade School
Private
233 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.3 |
| 2 | St Mary Catholic School
Private
233 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.1 |
Schools in Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids, South Dakota · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$100,595
Median Home Value
$293,800
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
5,476
College Educated
37%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Community Profile
Dell Rapids has a median household income of $100,595. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
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 Dell Rapids, South Dakota
How many schools are in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
Dell Rapids has 5 schools, including 3 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dell Rapids is 6.4 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 Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Dell Rapids on MySchoolScout is Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dell Rapids on MySchoolScout is Dell Rapids Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Dell Rapids on MySchoolScout is Dell Rapids Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Dell Rapids on MySchoolScout is Dell Rapids High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
Dell Rapids is served by 1 school district: Dell Rapids School District 49-3.
What is the education level in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 37% of adults in Dell Rapids have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The median household income in Dell Rapids is approximately $100,595 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
Yes, Dell Rapids has 2 private schools alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary Grade School with a score of 4.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dell Rapids, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dell Rapids is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dell Rapids, 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.