Best Schools in Mitchell, South Dakota
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Mitchell?
Use this page to compare every school in Mitchell 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.
Longfellow Elementary - 05
Elementary · Mitchell School District 17-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mitchell High School - 01
High · Mitchell School District 17-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mitchell Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mitchell for 2026 are Longfellow Elementary - 05 (8.4/10), Mitchell High School - 01 (7.6/10), and Mitchell Christian School (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$191,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$191,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Mitchell
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longfellow Elementary - 05 | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Mitchell High School - 01 | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Mitchell Christian School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | L. B. Williams Elementary - 03 | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | John Paul II Elementary School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary - 04 | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Mitchell Middle School - 02 | 5.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Abbott House High School - 07 | 4.0 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $60,671
- Median home value
- $191,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 12 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Mitchell compares
South Dakota rank
#46 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$61k
87% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Mitchell, South Dakota
Mitchell, South Dakota is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Mitchell 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 Mitchell is Longfellow Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Mitchell is served by 1 school district: Mitchell School District 17-2. These districts collectively serve 2,711 students.
Mitchell's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,671. 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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 444 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 382 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 24 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| 5 | 8 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | John Paul II Elementary School
Private
102 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 609 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 909 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 30 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Christian School
Private
139 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.4 |
Schools in Mitchell
Mitchell, South Dakota · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$60,671
Median Home Value
$191,300
Median Rent
$775/mo
Population
19,142
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
12 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Community Profile
Mitchell has a median household income of $60,671. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,300, with a median rent of $775/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 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 Mitchell, South Dakota
How many schools are in Mitchell, South Dakota?
Mitchell has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mitchell, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mitchell is 6.6 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 Mitchell, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Mitchell on MySchoolScout is Longfellow Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mitchell, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mitchell on MySchoolScout is Longfellow Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Mitchell, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Mitchell on MySchoolScout is Mitchell Middle School - 02 with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Mitchell, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Mitchell on MySchoolScout is Mitchell High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Mitchell, South Dakota?
Mitchell is served by 1 school district: Mitchell School District 17-2.
What is the education level in Mitchell, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Mitchell have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mitchell, South Dakota?
The median household income in Mitchell is approximately $60,671 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Mitchell, South Dakota?
Yes, Mitchell has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mitchell Christian School with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mitchell, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mitchell is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mitchell, 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.