Best Schools in Lake Preston, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Lake Preston?
Use this page to compare every school in Lake Preston 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.
Lake Preston Elementary - 02
Elementary · Lake Preston School District 38-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lake Preston High School - 01
High · Lake Preston School District 38-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lake Preston Middle School - 03
Middle · Lake Preston School District 38-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lake Preston for 2026 are Lake Preston Elementary - 02 (9.1/10), Lake Preston High School - 01 (7.7/10), and Lake Preston Middle School - 03 (6.6/10), 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
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$202,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$202,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lake Preston
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 | Lake Preston Elementary - 02 | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Lake Preston High School - 01 | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Lake Preston Middle School - 03 | 6.6 / 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
- 7.8/10
- Median household income
- $74,545
- Median home value
- $202,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- 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 Lake Preston compares
South Dakota rank
#12 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.6
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$75k
107% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Lake Preston, South Dakota
Lake Preston, 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 7.8 out of 10, schools in Lake Preston 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 Lake Preston is Lake Preston Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lake Preston is served by 1 school district: Lake Preston School District 38-3. These districts collectively serve 188 students.
Lake Preston's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,545. The poverty rate in the area is 11.1%.
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 | 104 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
Schools in Lake Preston
Lake Preston, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$74,545
Median Home Value
$202,500
Median Rent
$535/mo
Population
1,007
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
80%
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Community Profile
Lake Preston has a median household income of $74,545. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,500, with a median rent of $535/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 Lake Preston, South Dakota
How many schools are in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
Lake Preston has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lake Preston is 7.8 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 Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Lake Preston on MySchoolScout is Lake Preston Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lake Preston on MySchoolScout is Lake Preston Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Lake Preston on MySchoolScout is Lake Preston Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Lake Preston on MySchoolScout is Lake Preston High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Lake Preston, South Dakota?
Lake Preston is served by 1 school district: Lake Preston School District 38-3.
What is the education level in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Lake Preston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The median household income in Lake Preston is approximately $74,545 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Preston, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lake Preston is 8.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lake Preston, 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.