Skip to content
ProPublica Donate
ProPublica Donate

Private Schools in
South Dakota

  • White
  • Black
  • Hisp.
  • Asian Am.
  • Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
  • Haw. / Pac. Isl.
  • Multi.
  • Not spec.
Private Schools
Public Schools

Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)

Religious Orientation

Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.

Religious Orientation Count
Roman Catholic 27
Christian 13
Lutheran 12
Nonsectarian 11
Other 4

School Type

School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.

Private Schools in South Dakota

There are 76 private schools in South Dakota that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.

School Grades Religion Enrollment Mostly … Racial Difference* Teachers Founded Type
O’gorman High School PK–12th Roman Catholic 2,200 White 29% 136 1961 Regular elementary or secondary
Sioux Falls Christian Schools PK–12th Christian 1,295 White 7% 81 1977 Regular elementary or secondary
Red Cloud Indian School KG–12th Roman Catholic 470 American Indian or Alaska Native -1% 65 1888 Regular elementary or secondary
Rapid City Christian School 6th–12th Other 357 White 34% 25 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Elizabeth Seton School PK–5th Roman Catholic 307 White 15% 24 Regular elementary or secondary
Holy Spirit School PK–6th Roman Catholic 289 White 27% 16 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Thomas More High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 281 White 19% 15 Regular elementary or secondary
Roncalli Elementary School PK–6th Roman Catholic 266 White 17% 28 1913 Regular elementary or secondary
Sacred Heart School PK–8th Roman Catholic 239 White 13% 21 1926 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Mary Catholic School PK–12th Roman Catholic 233 White 3% 13 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Mary Grade School PK–12th Roman Catholic 233 White 4% 15 Regular elementary or secondary
Sioux Falls Lutheran School PK–12th Lutheran 233 White 8% 25 Regular elementary or secondary
Aberdeen Christian School, Inc. KG–12th Christian 232 White -1% 21 1982 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Michael School PK–6th Roman Catholic 222 White 31% 15 Regular elementary or secondary
Sacred Heart Middle School PK–8th Roman Catholic 217 White 15% 34 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Joseph Elementary School KG–5th Roman Catholic 186 White 22% 14 1947 Regular elementary or secondary
James Valley Christian School PK–12th Christian 185 White 49% 18 1957 Regular elementary or secondary
Calvary Christian School PK–5th Baptist 180 White 31% 17 1983 Regular elementary or secondary
Roncalli Jr. & Sr. High School 7th–12th Roman Catholic 177 White 13% 16 Regular elementary or secondary
Aberdeen Catholic Schools 7th–12th Roman Catholic 177 White 13% 18 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Thomas More Middle School 6th–8th Roman Catholic 164 Hispanic or Latino 84% 15 Regular elementary or secondary
Imaculate Conception PK–6th Roman Catholic 162 White 4% 18 1892 Regular elementary or secondary
Black Hills Christian Academy PK–12th Christian 144 White 2% 13 Regular elementary or secondary
Mitchell Christian School PK–12th Other 139 White 7% 14 1984 Regular elementary or secondary
Lifescape Childrens Specialty School PK–12th Nonsectarian 138 White 11% 20 1950 Special education

* About racial difference

School Districts in South Dakota (149)

District Grades Private Schools Private School Students Racial Difference *
Sioux Falls School District 49-5 PK–12th 13 2,785 28%
Rapid City School District 51-4 PK–12th 12 1,472 16%
Aberdeen School District 06-1 PK–12th 7 1,053 11%
Watertown School District 14-4 PK–12th 4 478 9%
Yankton School District 63-3 PK–12th 3 487 14%
Oglala Lakota County School District 65-1 PK–12th 3 596 -8%
Huron School District 02-2 PK–12th 2 272 35%
Brookings School District 05-1 PK–12th 2 15 20%
Mitchell School District 17-2 PK–12th 2 241 10%
Harrisburg School District 41-2 PK–12th 2 1,528 7%
Dell Rapids School District 49-3 PK–12th 2 466 4%
Spearfish School District 40-2 PK–12th 2 144 2%
Madison Central School District 39-2 KG–12th 2 40 0%
Todd County School District 66-1 PK–12th 2 43 -10%
Mobridge-Pollock School District 62-6 PK–12th 1 98 62%
Chamberlain School District 07-1 PK–12th 1 124 62%
Brandon Valley School District 49-2 PK–12th 1 5 56%
Pierre School District 32-2 PK–12th 1 186 22%
Vermillion School District 13-1 PK–12th 1 92 20%
Hot Springs School District 23-2 PK–12th 1 13 18%
Estelline School District 28-2 KG–12th 1 5 13%
Milbank School District 25-4 PK–12th 1 92 13%
Iroquois School District 02-3 PK–12th 1 33 8%
McCook Central School District 43-7 PK–12th 1 40 8%
Northwestern Area School District 56-7 PK–12th 1 29 5%

* About racial difference

About This Data

Where is this data from?

Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.

What schools are included?

Why are private schools listed under public school districts?

What changes has ProPublica made?

More from Education

Read the latest education investigations from ProPublica.

Do you have information about private schools? Send us a tip.

Current site Current page