Best Schools in White River, South Dakota
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in White River?
Use this page to compare every school in White River 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.
White River High School - 01
High · White River School District 47-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Norris Elementary - 08
Elementary · White River School District 47-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
White River Elementary - 02
Elementary · White River School District 47-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in White River for 2026 are White River High School - 01 (7.2/10), Norris Elementary - 08 (6.7/10), and White River Elementary - 02 (6.5/10), 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$58,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$58,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in White River
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White River High School - 01 | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Norris Elementary - 08 | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | White River Elementary - 02 | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | White River Middle School - 04 | 5.8 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $53,913
- Median home value
- $58,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How White River compares
South Dakota rank
#53 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$54k
77% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in White River, South Dakota
White River, South Dakota is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in White River 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 White River is White River High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
White River is served by 1 school district: White River School District 47-1. These districts collectively serve 416 students.
White River's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $53,913. The poverty rate in the area is 41.7%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 164 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 118 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
Schools in White River
White River, South Dakota · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$53,913
Median Home Value
$58,800
Median Rent
$818/mo
Population
1,473
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
66%
Poverty Rate
41.7%
Community Profile
White River has a median household income of $53,913. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $58,800, with a median rent of $818/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 2
- 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 White River, South Dakota
How many schools are in White River, South Dakota?
White River has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in White River, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in White River 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 White River, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in White River on MySchoolScout is White River High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in White River, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in White River on MySchoolScout is Norris Elementary - 08 with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best middle school in White River, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in White River on MySchoolScout is White River Middle School - 04 with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in White River, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in White River on MySchoolScout is White River High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve White River, South Dakota?
White River is served by 1 school district: White River School District 47-1.
What is the education level in White River, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in White River have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in White River, South Dakota?
The median household income in White River is approximately $53,913 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in White River, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in White River is 11.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in White River, 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.