Best Schools in Mclaughlin, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Mclaughlin?
Use this page to compare every school in Mclaughlin 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.
Mclaughlin High School - 01
High · Mclaughlin School District 15-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mclaughlin Middle School - 03
Middle · Mclaughlin School District 15-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mclaughlin Elementary - 02
Elementary · Mclaughlin School District 15-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mclaughlin for 2026 are Mclaughlin High School - 01 (4.8/10), Mclaughlin Middle School - 03 (4.0/10), and Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 (3.8/10), 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
4.2
out of 10
Median Home
$78,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
4.2
out of 10
Median Home
$78,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Mclaughlin
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 | Mclaughlin High School - 01 | 4.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Mclaughlin Middle School - 03 | 4.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 | 3.8 / 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
- 4.2/10
- Median household income
- $56,528
- Median home value
- $78,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Mclaughlin compares
South Dakota rank
#126 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-2.0
below South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$57k
81% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Mclaughlin, South Dakota
Mclaughlin, 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 4.2 out of 10, schools in Mclaughlin 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 Mclaughlin is Mclaughlin High School - 01 with a composite score of 4.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Mclaughlin is served by 1 school district: McLaughlin School District 15-2. These districts collectively serve 427 students.
Mclaughlin's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,528. The poverty rate in the area is 43.2%.
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 | 209 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 71 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 147 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in Mclaughlin
Mclaughlin, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,528
Median Home Value
$78,500
Median Rent
$496/mo
Population
1,949
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
51%
Poverty Rate
43.2%
Community Profile
Mclaughlin has a median household income of $56,528. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,500, with a median rent of $496/month. The area has a poverty rate of 43.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 Mclaughlin, South Dakota
How many schools are in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
Mclaughlin has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mclaughlin is 4.2 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 Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Mclaughlin on MySchoolScout is Mclaughlin High School - 01 with a composite score of 4.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mclaughlin on MySchoolScout is Mclaughlin Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 3.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Mclaughlin on MySchoolScout is Mclaughlin Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 4.0/10.
What is the best high school in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Mclaughlin on MySchoolScout is Mclaughlin High School - 01 with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
Mclaughlin is served by 1 school district: Mclaughlin School District 15-2.
What is the education level in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Mclaughlin have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The median household income in Mclaughlin is approximately $56,528 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mclaughlin, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mclaughlin is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mclaughlin, 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.