Best Schools in Howard, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Howard?
Use this page to compare every school in Howard 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.
Howard High School - 01
High · Howard School District 48-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Howard Jr. High - 05
Middle · Howard School District 48-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Howard Elementary - 02
Elementary · Howard School District 48-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Howard for 2026 are Howard High School - 01 (9.3/10), Howard Jr. High - 05 (7.9/10), and Howard Elementary - 02 (6.4/10), 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
7.9
out of 10
Median Home
$116,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.9
out of 10
Median Home
$116,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Howard
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 | Howard High School - 01 | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Howard Jr. High - 05 | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Howard Elementary - 02 | 6.4 / 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
- 7.9/10
- Median household income
- $70,365
- Median home value
- $116,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Howard compares
South Dakota rank
#9 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.6
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$70k
101% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Howard, South Dakota
Howard, 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 7.9 out of 10, schools in Howard 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 Howard is Howard High School - 01 with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Howard is served by 1 school district: Howard School District 48-3. These districts collectively serve 328 students.
Howard's community shows 12% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,365. The poverty rate in the area is 13.2%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 131 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 students · 6th–8th | 7.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98 students · 9th–12th | 9.3 |
Schools in Howard
Howard, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,365
Median Home Value
$116,000
Median Rent
$550/mo
Population
1,450
College Educated
12%
Homeownership
80%
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Community Profile
Howard has a median household income of $70,365. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,000, with a median rent of $550/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 Howard, South Dakota
How many schools are in Howard, South Dakota?
Howard has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Howard, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Howard is 7.9 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 Howard, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Howard on MySchoolScout is Howard High School - 01 with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Howard, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Howard on MySchoolScout is Howard Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Howard, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Howard on MySchoolScout is Howard Jr. High - 05 with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best high school in Howard, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Howard on MySchoolScout is Howard High School - 01 with a composite score of 9.3/10.
How many school districts serve Howard, South Dakota?
Howard is served by 1 school district: Howard School District 48-3.
What is the education level in Howard, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 12% of adults in Howard have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Howard, South Dakota?
The median household income in Howard is approximately $70,365 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Howard, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Howard is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Howard, 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.