Best Schools in Lead, South Dakota
2 schools · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Lead?
Use this page to compare every school in Lead 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.
Lead-deadwood High School - 01
High · Lead-deadwood School District 40-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
Middle · Lead-deadwood School District 40-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$220,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$220,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lead
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 2). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lead-deadwood High School - 01 | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02 | 5.9 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $57,017
- Median home value
- $220,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Lead compares
Median household income
$57k
82% of South Dakota median
About Schools in Lead, South Dakota
Lead, South Dakota is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Lead 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 Lead is Lead-deadwood High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lead is served by 1 school district: Lead-Deadwood School District 40-1. These districts collectively serve 671 students.
Lead's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $57,017. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.
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.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 144 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 218 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
Schools in Lead
Lead, South Dakota · 2 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$57,017
Median Home Value
$220,100
Median Rent
$849/mo
Population
3,605
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
75%
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Lead has a median household income of $57,017. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,100, with a median rent of $849/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
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 Lead, South Dakota
How many schools are in Lead, South Dakota?
Lead has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lead, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lead is 6.8 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 Lead, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Lead on MySchoolScout is Lead-deadwood High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Lead, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Lead on MySchoolScout is Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02 with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Lead, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Lead on MySchoolScout is Lead-deadwood High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Lead, South Dakota?
Lead is served by 1 school district: Lead-deadwood School District 40-1.
What is the education level in Lead, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Lead have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lead, South Dakota?
The median household income in Lead is approximately $57,017 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lead, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lead is 10.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lead, 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.