Best Schools in Pierre, South Dakota
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Pierre?
Use this page to compare every school in Pierre 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.
Kennedy Elementary - 08
Elementary · Pierre School District 32-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Buchanan Elementary - 03
Elementary · Pierre School District 32-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
T F Riggs High School - 01
High · Pierre School District 32-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pierre for 2026 are Kennedy Elementary - 08 (8.0/10), Buchanan Elementary - 03 (6.9/10), and T F Riggs High School - 01 (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$222,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$222,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Pierre
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Elementary - 08 | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Buchanan Elementary - 03 | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | T F Riggs High School - 01 | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Jefferson Elementary - 06 | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Georgia Morse Middle School - 02 | 5.4 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $79,224
- Median home value
- $222,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 13 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pierre compares
South Dakota rank
#45 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$79k
113% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Pierre, South Dakota
Pierre, 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 6.7 out of 10, schools in Pierre 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 Pierre is Pierre Indian Learning Center with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pierre is served by 2 school districts: Pierre School District 32-2, Pierre Indian Learning Center. These districts collectively serve 2,815 students.
Pierre's community shows 36% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,224. The poverty rate in the area is 9.3%.
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 | 127 students · 1st–8th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 394 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 422 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 383 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 681 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 808 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Pierre
Pierre, South Dakota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,224
Median Home Value
$222,600
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
17,456
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
13 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Community Profile
Pierre has a median household income of $79,224. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,600, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
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 Pierre, South Dakota
How many schools are in Pierre, South Dakota?
Pierre has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pierre, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pierre is 6.7 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 Pierre, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Pierre on MySchoolScout is Kennedy Elementary - 08 with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pierre, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pierre on MySchoolScout is Kennedy Elementary - 08 with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Pierre, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Pierre on MySchoolScout is Georgia Morse Middle School - 02 with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best high school in Pierre, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Pierre on MySchoolScout is T F Riggs High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Pierre, South Dakota?
Pierre is served by 2 school districts: Pierre School District 32-2, Pierre Indian Learning Center.
What is the education level in Pierre, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Pierre have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pierre, South Dakota?
The median household income in Pierre is approximately $79,224 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pierre, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pierre is 15.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pierre, 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.