For the 2026 school year, there are 92 private schools serving 15,075 students in South Dakota (there are 729 public schools, serving 145,763 students). 9% of all K-12 students in South Dakota attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $6,455 for elementary schools and $7,985 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in South Dakota include O'Gorman Junior High School, Our Lady Of Lourdes Elementary School, and Red Cloud Indian School.
The average acceptance rate is 76% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 21% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
92 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
15,075 Students
5,709,689 Students
% Average Students of Color
21%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
1,229 Teachers
507,979 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
34%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$6,448
$14,888
Average Summer Program Cost
$180
$1,161
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,500
$7,121
Average Acceptance Rate
76%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$61.9 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.59
0.65
# American Indian Students
1,727 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
11%
1%
# Asian Students
161 Students
265,309 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
468 Students
507,904 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
9%
# Black Students
245 Students
417,213 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
9,019 Students
2,937,514 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
99 Students
22,254 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
3,562 Students
1,473,704 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked South Dakota Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Emerson (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in South Dakota?
The top-ranked private schools in South Dakota include O'Gorman Junior High School, Our Lady Of Lourdes Elementary School, and Red Cloud Indian School.
How many private schools are located in South Dakota?
There are 92 private schools are located in South Dakota.
How much do private schools cost in South Dakota?
The average private school tuition in South Dakota is $6,455 for elementary schools and $7,985 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in South Dakota?
Approximately 21% of students in South Dakota private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in South Dakota go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in South Dakota attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in South Dakota?
Which private schools in South Dakota are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in South Dakota include: O'gorman High School vs. Sioux Falls Christian Schools, Imaculate Conception vs. Watertown Christian School, Dakot Abilities vs. Education & Integration Services
Recent Articles
Parent Engagement in Private Schools in 2026
Explore how parent engagement in private schools builds strong communities, support networks, and student success in 2026.
So Many Choices: Navigating Private School Selection in 2026
A 2026 parent guide to choosing the right private school, with updated admissions timelines, tuition trends, affordability strategies, and expert insights.
2026 Roadmap to Starting a Private School
A 2026 guide to launching a private school, covering planning, costs, admissions timing, governance, and trends parents care about now.
