Best Schools in Spearfish, South Dakota
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Spearfish?
Use this page to compare every school in Spearfish 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.
Creekside Elementary - 07
Elementary · Spearfish School District 40-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Black Hills Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Spearfish High School - 01
High · Spearfish School District 40-2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Spearfish for 2026 are Creekside Elementary - 07 (6.9/10), Black Hills Christian Academy (6.7/10), and Spearfish High School - 01 (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$332,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$332,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Spearfish
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creekside Elementary - 07 | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Black Hills Christian Academy | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Spearfish High School - 01 | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Spearfish Middle School - 05 | 5.1 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $64,970
- Median home value
- $332,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Spearfish compares
South Dakota rank
#63 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$65k
93% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Spearfish, South Dakota
Spearfish, South Dakota is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Spearfish 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 Spearfish is Creekside Elementary - 07 with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Spearfish is served by 1 school district: Spearfish School District 40-2. These districts collectively serve 2,387 students.
Spearfish's community shows 40% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $64,970. The poverty rate in the area is 13.8%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 519 students · 3rd–5th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 166 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | 6.9 |
| 3 | 348 students · 1st–2nd | 6.8 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 573 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 7 students · 4th–8th | — |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 771 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 18 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Hills Christian Academy
Private
144 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.7 |
Schools in Spearfish
Spearfish, South Dakota · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$64,970
Median Home Value
$332,300
Median Rent
$946/mo
Population
16,929
College Educated
40%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Community Profile
Spearfish has a median household income of $64,970. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,300, with a median rent of $946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- 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 Spearfish, South Dakota
How many schools are in Spearfish, South Dakota?
Spearfish has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Spearfish, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Spearfish is 6.4 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 Spearfish, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Spearfish on MySchoolScout is Creekside Elementary - 07 with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Spearfish, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Spearfish on MySchoolScout is Creekside Elementary - 07 with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Spearfish, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Spearfish on MySchoolScout is Spearfish Middle School - 05 with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Spearfish, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Spearfish on MySchoolScout is Spearfish High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Spearfish, South Dakota?
Spearfish is served by 1 school district: Spearfish School District 40-2.
What is the education level in Spearfish, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 40% of adults in Spearfish have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Spearfish, South Dakota?
The median household income in Spearfish is approximately $64,970 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Spearfish, South Dakota?
Yes, Spearfish has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Black Hills Christian Academy with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Spearfish, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Spearfish is 11.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Spearfish, 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.