For the 2025-26 school year, there are 13 public elementary schools serving 2,052 students in Lawrence County, SD.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Lawrence County, SD are Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Elm Springs Elementary - 13. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence County, SD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Lawrence County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Lawrence County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Whitewood Elementary - 04
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
603 Garfield St
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Creekside Elementary - 07
(Math: 54% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2325 N Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1210
Gr: 3-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21309 Elm Springs Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #44.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #55.
Atall Elementary - 17
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16375 Atall Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #66.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: #77.
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills Elementary - 09
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Gr: 4-8 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #88.
Spearfish Middle School - 05
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1600 N Canyon
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Gr: 6-8 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #99.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
234 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Gr: 6-8 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Lead-deadwood Elementary - 03
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
716 Main St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 717-3884
Gr: K-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills - 08
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Gr: 4-8
Rank: n/an/a
920 W King St
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1205
Gr: 1-2 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Lawrence County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Black Hills Education Connection - 03 High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Gr: 9-12
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 8 students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Gr: K-8 | 3 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Lawrence County, SD include Whitewood Elementary - 04, Creekside Elementary - 07 and Elm Springs Elementary - 13.
How many public elementary schools are located in Lawrence County?
13 public elementary schools are located in Lawrence County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Which public elementary schools in Lawrence County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Lawrence County include: Creekside Elementary - 07 vs. West Elementary - 03, West Elementary - 03 vs. Creekside Elementary - 07
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