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 O'gorman High 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
5,709,224 Students
% Average Students of Color
21%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
1,229 Teachers
507,774 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
$15,013
Average Summer Program Cost
$180
$1,152
Average % on Financial Aid
29%
34%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,500
$7,073
Average Acceptance Rate
76%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$50 million
$60.79 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.59
0.65
# American Indian Students
1,727 Students
30,181 Students
% American Indian Students
11%
1%
# Asian Students
161 Students
265,374 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
468 Students
508,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
9%
# Black Students
245 Students
417,245 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
9,019 Students
2,938,314 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
99 Students
22,255 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
1,471,996 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 O'gorman High 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
Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Updated guide to free private schools and school voucher programs, 2025 policies, costs, equity issues, and how families access tuition support.
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Updated 2025 review of social emotional learning in schools, research outcomes, key trends, challenges and future paths for parents and educators.
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Learn how private school admissions for siblings affect costs, discounts, and timing strategies for families planning multiple enrollments.
