Best Schools in Willow Lake, South Dakota
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Willow Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Willow Lake 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.
Willow Lake High School - 01
High · Willow Lake School District 12-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04
Elementary · Willow Lake School District 12-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Willow Lake Elementary - 02
Elementary · Willow Lake School District 12-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Willow Lake for 2026 are Willow Lake High School - 01 (7.9/10), Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 (6.9/10), and Willow Lake Elementary - 02 (6.4/10), 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$202,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$202,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Willow Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willow Lake High School - 01 | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Willow Lake Elementary - 02 | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Willow Lake Middle School - 03 | 6.4 / 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
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $65,938
- Median home value
- $202,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Willow Lake compares
South Dakota rank
#37 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$66k
94% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Willow Lake, South Dakota
Willow Lake, 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 6.9 out of 10, schools in Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake is Willow Lake High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Willow Lake is served by 1 school district: Willow Lake School District 12-3. These districts collectively serve 338 students.
Willow Lake's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $65,938. The poverty rate in the area is 6.6%.
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 | 32 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 150 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
| 3 | 21 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
| 4 | 16 students · Kindergarten–8th | — |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 63 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
Schools in Willow Lake
Willow Lake, South Dakota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,938
Median Home Value
$202,700
Median Rent
$745/mo
Population
1,082
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
79%
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Community Profile
Willow Lake has a median household income of $65,938. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,700, with a median rent of $745/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 4
- 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 Willow Lake, South Dakota
How many schools are in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
Willow Lake has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Willow Lake is 6.9 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 Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Willow Lake on MySchoolScout is Willow Lake High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Willow Lake on MySchoolScout is Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Willow Lake on MySchoolScout is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Willow Lake on MySchoolScout is Willow Lake High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve Willow Lake, South Dakota?
Willow Lake is served by 1 school district: Willow Lake School District 12-3.
What is the education level in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Willow Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The median household income in Willow Lake is approximately $65,938 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Willow Lake, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Willow Lake is 14.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Willow Lake, 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.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.