Best Schools in Hartford, South Dakota
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Hartford?
Use this page to compare every school in Hartford 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.
West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02
Elementary · West Central School District 49-7. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Central High School - 01
High · West Central School District 49-7. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Central Middle School - 04
Middle · West Central School District 49-7. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hartford for 2026 are West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 (6.4/10), West Central High School - 01 (5.5/10), and West Central Middle School - 04 (4.7/10), 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$280,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$280,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Hartford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 | 6.4 / 10 |
| 2 | West Central High School - 01 | 5.5 / 10 |
| 3 | West Central Middle School - 04 | 4.7 / 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
- $98,156
- Median home value
- $280,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hartford compares
South Dakota rank
#66 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$98k
141% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Hartford, South Dakota
Hartford, 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 6.4 out of 10, schools in Hartford 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 Hartford is West Central Hartford Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hartford is served by 1 school district: West Central School District 49-7. These districts collectively serve 1,409 students.
Hartford's community shows 36% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $98,156. The poverty rate in the area is 3.5%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 273 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 8.8 |
| 2 | 403 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 302 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 398 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 9 students · 8th–12th | — |
| 3 | 24 students · 5th–12th | — |
Schools in Hartford
Hartford, South Dakota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$98,156
Median Home Value
$280,500
Median Rent
$949/mo
Population
5,947
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Community Profile
Hartford has a median household income of $98,156. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,500, with a median rent of $949/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% 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
- 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 Hartford, South Dakota
How many schools are in Hartford, South Dakota?
Hartford has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hartford, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hartford 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 Hartford, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Hartford on MySchoolScout is West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hartford, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hartford on MySchoolScout is West Central Humboldt Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Hartford, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Hartford on MySchoolScout is West Central Middle School - 04 with a composite score of 4.7/10.
What is the best high school in Hartford, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Hartford on MySchoolScout is West Central High School - 01 with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Hartford, South Dakota?
Hartford is served by 1 school district: West Central School District 49-7.
What is the education level in Hartford, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Hartford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hartford, South Dakota?
The median household income in Hartford is approximately $98,156 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hartford, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hartford 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 Hartford, 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.