Best Schools in Kadoka, South Dakota
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Kadoka?
Use this page to compare every school in Kadoka 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.
Kadoka Elementary - 02
Elementary · Kadoka Area School District 35-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kadoka Area High School - 01
High · Kadoka Area School District 35-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kadoka Middle School - 03
Middle · Kadoka Area School District 35-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Kadoka for 2026 are Kadoka Elementary - 02 (9.2/10), Kadoka Area High School - 01 (8.6/10), and Kadoka Middle School - 03 (8.4/10), 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
8.7
out of 10
Median Home
$159,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
8.7
out of 10
Median Home
$159,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Kadoka
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 | Kadoka Elementary - 02 | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Kadoka Area High School - 01 | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Kadoka Middle School - 03 | 8.4 / 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
- 8.7/10
- Median household income
- $26,771
- Median home value
- $159,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Kadoka compares
South Dakota rank
#2 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+2.5
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$27k
38% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Kadoka, South Dakota
Kadoka, South Dakota is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 8.7 out of 10, schools in Kadoka 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 Kadoka is Kadoka Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Kadoka is served by 1 school district: Kadoka Area School District 35-2. These districts collectively serve 303 students.
Kadoka's community shows 10% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $26,771. The poverty rate in the area is 37.3%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 126 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 21 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
| 3 | 26 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
| 4 | 5 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
Schools in Kadoka
Kadoka, South Dakota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$26,771
Median Home Value
$159,100
Median Rent
$569/mo
Population
786
College Educated
10%
Homeownership
67%
Poverty Rate
37.3%
Community Profile
Kadoka has a median household income of $26,771. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,100, with a median rent of $569/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 4
- 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 Kadoka, South Dakota
How many schools are in Kadoka, South Dakota?
Kadoka has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Kadoka, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Kadoka is 8.7 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 Kadoka, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Kadoka on MySchoolScout is Kadoka Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Kadoka, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Kadoka on MySchoolScout is Kadoka Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Kadoka, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Kadoka on MySchoolScout is Kadoka Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best high school in Kadoka, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Kadoka on MySchoolScout is Kadoka Area High School - 01 with a composite score of 8.6/10.
How many school districts serve Kadoka, South Dakota?
Kadoka is served by 1 school district: Kadoka Area School District 35-2.
What is the education level in Kadoka, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 10% of adults in Kadoka have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Kadoka, South Dakota?
The median household income in Kadoka is approximately $26,771 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Kadoka, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Kadoka is 9.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Kadoka, 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.