Codington County Schools & Education
Codington County, South Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
20/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,657
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,409
School Score
20/100
Higher = better
State avg 38/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#53
of 65 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Codington County
School Verdict
Codington County faces educational challenges with a school score of 20/100 and a graduation rate of 87.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,657 per pupil, Codington County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Codington County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 46% below the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 24% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Codington County, South Dakota
A Large and Diverse School Network
Codington County features 18 public schools serving 4,565 students, making it a major educational hub in the region. The infrastructure is robust, consisting of eight elementary, five middle, and four high schools across four districts.
Meeting National Graduation Standards
The county boasts an 87.0% graduation rate, which matches the national average and significantly exceeds the state average of 82.4%. This performance is achieved despite a per-pupil expenditure of $5,657, which is among the lowest in the state.
Watertown District Leads Growth
Watertown School District 14-4 is the largest by far, managing 10 schools and 3,803 students. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter options currently available to residents.
A Mix of Town and Country
The school locale is split between eight town schools and 10 rural schools, offering families diverse choices in environment. Watertown High School is the county's largest campus, enrolling 1,220 students.
Join the Watertown Community
With high graduation rates and diverse school sizes, Codington County is a top choice for families moving to South Dakota. Browse homes near Watertown to take advantage of these established educational resources.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in Codington County
Total Enrollment
4,565
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Codington County
Watertown School District 14-4
Florence School District 14-1
Waverly School District 14-5
Henry School District 14-2
18 Public Schools in Codington County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown High School - 01 | Watertown School District 14-4 | 9–12 | High | 1,220 |
| Watertown Middle School - 02 | Watertown School District 14-4 | 7–8 | Middle | 600 |
| Watertown Intermediate School - 13 | Watertown School District 14-4 | 5–6 | Middle | 548 |
| Jefferson Elementary - 09 | Watertown School District 14-4 | KG–4 | Primary | 361 |
| Lincoln Elementary - 05 | Watertown School District 14-4 | KG–4 | Primary | 338 |
| McKinley Elementary - 06 | Watertown School District 14-4 | PK–4 | Primary | 234 |
| Roosevelt Elementary - 08 | Watertown School District 14-4 | PK–4 | Primary | 228 |
| Mellette Elementary - 07 | Watertown School District 14-4 | KG–4 | Primary | 212 |
| Florence Elementary - 02 | Florence School District 14-1 | PK–5 | Primary | 152 |
| Waverly-South Shore Elementary - 02 | Waverly School District 14-5 | PK–5 | Primary | 122 |
| Henry Elementary - 02 | Henry School District 14-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 93 |
| Waverly-South Shore High School - 01 | Waverly School District 14-5 | 9–12 | High | 92 |
| Florence High School - 01 | Florence School District 14-1 | 9–12 | High | 85 |
| Florence Middle School - 03 | Florence School District 14-1 | 6–8 | Middle | 71 |
| Henry High School - 01 | Henry School District 14-2 | 9–12 | High | 57 |
| Waverly-South Shore Middle School - 03 | Waverly School District 14-5 | 6–8 | Middle | 57 |
| Garfield Education Center - 14 | Watertown School District 14-4 | PK | Other | 50 |
| Henry Middle School - 03 | Henry School District 14-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 45 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,657
State avg $7,409
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Codington County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Codington County?
How much does Codington County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Codington County, South Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Codington County, South Dakota?
Codington County features 18 public schools serving 4,565 students, making it a major educational hub in the region. The infrastructure is robust, consisting of eight elementary, five middle, and four high schools across four districts.
How do schools in Codington County perform academically?
The county boasts an 87.0% graduation rate, which matches the national average and significantly exceeds the state average of 82.4%. This performance is achieved despite a per-pupil expenditure of $5,657, which is among the lowest in the state.
What are the major school districts in Codington County, South Dakota?
Watertown School District 14-4 is the largest by far, managing 10 schools and 3,803 students. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter options currently available to residents.
What is the school experience like in Codington County?
The school locale is split between eight town schools and 10 rural schools, offering families diverse choices in environment. Watertown High School is the county's largest campus, enrolling 1,220 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Codington County, South Dakota?
With high graduation rates and diverse school sizes, Codington County is a top choice for families moving to South Dakota. Browse homes near Watertown to take advantage of these established educational resources.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.