Best Schools in Wakpala, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Wakpala?
Use this page to compare every school in Wakpala 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.
Wakpala Elementary - 02
Elementary · Smee School District 15-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wakpala Middle School - 04
Middle · Smee School District 15-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wakpala High School - 01
High · Smee School District 15-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Wakpala for 2026 are Wakpala Elementary - 02 (7.8/10), Wakpala Middle School - 04 (7.8/10), and Wakpala High School - 01 (6.8/10), 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
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$81,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$81,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Wakpala
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 | Wakpala Elementary - 02 | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Wakpala Middle School - 04 | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Wakpala High School - 01 | 6.8 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $25,938
- Median home value
- $81,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Wakpala compares
South Dakota rank
#23 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$26k
37% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Wakpala, South Dakota
Wakpala, 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 7.5 out of 10, schools in Wakpala perform strongly 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 Wakpala is Wakpala Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Wakpala is served by 1 school district: Smee School District 15-3. These districts collectively serve 183 students.
Wakpala's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $25,938. The poverty rate in the area is 62.7%.
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 | 84 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 64 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
Schools in Wakpala
Wakpala, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$25,938
Median Home Value
$81,300
Median Rent
$425/mo
Population
338
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
57%
Poverty Rate
62.7%
Community Profile
Wakpala has a median household income of $25,938. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $81,300, with a median rent of $425/month. The area has a poverty rate of 62.7%, 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 Wakpala, South Dakota
How many schools are in Wakpala, South Dakota?
Wakpala has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Wakpala, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Wakpala is 7.5 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 Wakpala, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Wakpala on MySchoolScout is Wakpala Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Wakpala, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Wakpala on MySchoolScout is Wakpala Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Wakpala, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Wakpala on MySchoolScout is Wakpala Middle School - 04 with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Wakpala, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Wakpala on MySchoolScout is Wakpala High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Wakpala, South Dakota?
Wakpala is served by 1 school district: Smee School District 15-3.
What is the education level in Wakpala, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Wakpala have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Wakpala, South Dakota?
The median household income in Wakpala is approximately $25,938 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Wakpala, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Wakpala is 9.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Wakpala, 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.