Best Schools in Watertown, South Dakota
13 schools · 9 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Watertown?
Use this page to compare every school in Watertown 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.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
Elementary · Watertown School District 14-4. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
Middle · Watertown School District 14-4. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mellette Elementary - 07
Elementary · Watertown School District 14-4. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Watertown for 2026 are Lincoln Elementary - 05 (8.0/10), Watertown Intermediate School - 13 (7.6/10), and Mellette Elementary - 07 (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
13
9 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$191,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
13
9 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$191,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.0/10 despite 21% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Watertown schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Watertown
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln Elementary - 05 | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Watertown Intermediate School - 13 | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Mellette Elementary - 07 | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Great Plains Lutheran High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Imaculate Conception | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Mckinley Elementary - 06 | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Watertown Middle School - 02 | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Watertown Christian School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Watertown High School - 01 | 5.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Jefferson Elementary - 09 | 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $64,627
- Median home value
- $191,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
42% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Watertown compares
South Dakota rank
#60 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
12
About Schools in Watertown, South Dakota
Watertown, South Dakota is home to 13 schools, including 9 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Watertown 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 Watertown is Lincoln Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Watertown is served by 1 school district: Watertown School District 14-4. These districts collectively serve 3,690 students.
Watertown's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $64,627. The poverty rate in the area is 16.1%.
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
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 338 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 235 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 255 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 332 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 148 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.2 | ||
| 6 | 17 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Imaculate Conception
Private
162 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | Watertown Christian School
Private
60 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | St Martins Lutheran School
Private
123 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.4 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 556 students · 5th–6th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 587 students · 7th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,222 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 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 | 133 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
Schools in Watertown
Watertown, South Dakota · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$64,627
Median Home Value
$191,500
Median Rent
$821/mo
Population
27,003
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Community Profile
Watertown has a median household income of $64,627. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $191,500, with a median rent of $821/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
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 Watertown, South Dakota
How many schools are in Watertown, South Dakota?
Watertown has 13 schools, including 9 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Watertown, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Watertown is 6.5 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 Watertown, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Watertown, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elementary - 05 with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Watertown, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Watertown Intermediate School - 13 with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Watertown, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Great Plains Lutheran High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Watertown, South Dakota?
Watertown is served by 1 school district: Watertown School District 14-4.
What is the education level in Watertown, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Watertown have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Watertown, South Dakota?
The median household income in Watertown is approximately $64,627 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Watertown, South Dakota?
Yes, Watertown has 4 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Great Plains Lutheran High School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Watertown, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Watertown is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Watertown, 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.