Lincoln County Schools & Education
Lincoln County, South Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
34/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
90.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,954
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,409
School Score
34/100
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
#40
of 65 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Lincoln County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 34/100, Lincoln County maintains a strong graduation rate of 90.6%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,954 per pupil, Lincoln County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Lincoln County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 10% below the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 8.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 20% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Lincoln County, South Dakota
Large-Scale Suburban and Rural Education
Lincoln County hosts a massive educational infrastructure of 25 public schools, including 12 elementary and 6 middle schools. Serving over 10,000 students across four districts, this is one of the most significant and rapidly growing school systems in the state. The county also provides two alternative schools to ensure diverse learning paths for its large student body.
Exceeding Benchmarks in Graduation and Success
Lincoln County boasts an impressive 90.6% graduation rate, which is far above the state average of 82.4% and the national average of 87.0%. Despite a lower per-pupil expenditure of $5,954, the county achieves a composite school score of 51.6. This reflects a system that delivers high-tier academic results through efficient resource management.
Growth in Harrisburg and Tea Area Districts
The Harrisburg School District 41-2 is the county powerhouse, enrolling 5,912 students across 10 schools. The Tea Area School District also shows significant scale, serving 2,362 students through six campuses. There are currently no charter schools in the county, with all 10,172 students attending schools within the four traditional districts.
A Blend of City and Rural Schools
The county features a diverse mix of 16 rural, 5 town, and 4 city school locales, reflecting its varied geography. Harrisburg High School is the largest in the county with 1,613 students, and the average school size is 407. This environment offers students a modern, large-school experience while still maintaining rural community connections.
Investing in a Lincoln County Future
For families looking for top-tier graduation rates and modern school facilities, Lincoln County is a standout South Dakota destination. The rapid growth in the Harrisburg and Tea Area districts makes this an exciting place to buy a home with long-term educational value. Explore local listings to find your place in this high-performing and dynamic school community.
School Overview
Total Schools
25
in Lincoln County
Total Enrollment
10,172
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 Lincoln County
Harrisburg School District 41-2
Tea Area School District 41-5
Lennox School District 41-4
Canton School District 41-1
25 Public Schools in Lincoln County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg High School - 01 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | 9–12 | High | 1,613 |
| Harrisburg North Middle School - 08 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 747 |
| Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 667 |
| Tea Area High School - 03 | Tea Area School District 41-5 | 9–12 | High | 610 |
| Liberty Elementary - 02 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 565 |
| Tea Area Middle School - 02 | Tea Area School District 41-5 | 6–8 | Middle | 563 |
| Tea Area Legacy Elementary - 01 | Tea Area School District 41-5 | KG–5 | Primary | 491 |
| Adventure Elementary - 10 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | KG–5 | Primary | 414 |
| Freedom Elementary - 06 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | KG–5 | Primary | 410 |
| Endeavor Elementary - 07 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 391 |
| Tea Area Venture Elementary - 06 | Tea Area School District 41-5 | KG–5 | Primary | 389 |
| Lawrence Elementary - 02 | Canton School District 41-1 | KG–5 | Primary | 388 |
| Horizon Elementary - 09 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 373 |
| Explorer Elementary - 04 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | KG–5 | Primary | 370 |
| Lennox Elementary - 02 | Lennox School District 41-4 | PK–4 | Primary | 369 |
| Journey Elementary - 05 | Harrisburg School District 41-2 | KG–5 | Primary | 362 |
| Lennox High School - 01 | Lennox School District 41-4 | 9–12 | High | 359 |
| Canton High School - 01 | Canton School District 41-1 | 9–12 | High | 283 |
| Canton Middle School - 04 | Canton School District 41-1 | 6–8 | Middle | 203 |
| Lennox Jr. High - 08 | Lennox School District 41-4 | 7–8 | Middle | 189 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,954
State avg $7,409
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Lincoln County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Lincoln County?
How much does Lincoln County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Lincoln County, South Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Lincoln County, South Dakota?
Lincoln County hosts a massive educational infrastructure of 25 public schools, including 12 elementary and 6 middle schools. Serving over 10,000 students across four districts, this is one of the most significant and rapidly growing school systems in the state. The county also provides two alternative schools to ensure diverse learning paths for its large student body.
How do schools in Lincoln County perform academically?
Lincoln County boasts an impressive 90.6% graduation rate, which is far above the state average of 82.4% and the national average of 87.0%. Despite a lower per-pupil expenditure of $5,954, the county achieves a composite school score of 51.6. This reflects a system that delivers high-tier academic results through efficient resource management.
What are the major school districts in Lincoln County, South Dakota?
The Harrisburg School District 41-2 is the county powerhouse, enrolling 5,912 students across 10 schools. The Tea Area School District also shows significant scale, serving 2,362 students through six campuses. There are currently no charter schools in the county, with all 10,172 students attending schools within the four traditional districts.
What is the school experience like in Lincoln County?
The county features a diverse mix of 16 rural, 5 town, and 4 city school locales, reflecting its varied geography. Harrisburg High School is the largest in the county with 1,613 students, and the average school size is 407. This environment offers students a modern, large-school experience while still maintaining rural community connections.
How can I find homes near good schools in Lincoln County, South Dakota?
For families looking for top-tier graduation rates and modern school facilities, Lincoln County is a standout South Dakota destination. The rapid growth in the Harrisburg and Tea Area districts makes this an exciting place to buy a home with long-term educational value. Explore local listings to find your place in this high-performing and dynamic school community.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.