Best Schools in Yankton, South Dakota
9 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Yankton?
Use this page to compare every school in Yankton 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.
Sacred Heart Middle School -
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Yankton Middle School - 02
Middle · Yankton School District 63-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Stewart Elementary - 05
Elementary · Yankton School District 63-3. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Yankton for 2026 are Sacred Heart Middle School - (7.9/10), Yankton Middle School - 02 (7.6/10), and Stewart Elementary - 05 (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$213,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$213,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Yankton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacred Heart Middle School - | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Yankton Middle School - 02 | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Stewart Elementary - 05 | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Yankton High School - 01 | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Beadle Elementary - 03 | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Lincoln Elementary - 04 | 5.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Sacred Heart School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Missouri Valley Christian Academy | 5.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Webster Elementary - 06 | 3.8 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $72,395
- Median home value
- $213,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 14 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Yankton compares
South Dakota rank
#75 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below South Dakota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$72k
104% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Yankton, South Dakota
Yankton, South Dakota is home to 9 schools, including 6 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Yankton 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 Yankton is Sacred Heart Middle School - with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Yankton is served by 1 school district: Yankton School District 63-3. These districts collectively serve 3,086 students.
Yankton's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,395. The poverty rate in the area is 10.1%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 287 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 416 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | 419 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 389 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 | ||
| 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 | Sacred Heart Middle School -
Private
217 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | Sacred Heart School
Private
239 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 31 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 613 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 962 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
Schools in Yankton
Yankton, South Dakota · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,395
Median Home Value
$213,300
Median Rent
$777/mo
Population
20,547
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
14 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Community Profile
Yankton has a median household income of $72,395. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,300, with a median rent of $777/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 7
- 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 Yankton, South Dakota
How many schools are in Yankton, South Dakota?
Yankton has 9 schools, including 6 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Yankton, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Yankton is 6.1 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 Yankton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Yankton on MySchoolScout is Sacred Heart Middle School - with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Yankton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Yankton on MySchoolScout is Sacred Heart Middle School - with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Yankton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Yankton on MySchoolScout is Yankton Middle School - 02 with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Yankton, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Yankton on MySchoolScout is Yankton High School - 01 with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Yankton, South Dakota?
Yankton is served by 1 school district: Yankton School District 63-3.
What is the education level in Yankton, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Yankton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Yankton, South Dakota?
The median household income in Yankton is approximately $72,395 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Yankton, South Dakota?
Yes, Yankton has 3 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart Middle School - with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Yankton, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Yankton is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Yankton, 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.