McCook County Schools & Education
McCook County, South Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
37/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
88.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,839
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,409
School Score
37/100
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
#35
of 65 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: McCook County
School Verdict
McCook County faces educational challenges with a school score of 37/100 and a graduation rate of 88.2%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,839 per pupil, McCook County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for McCook County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% below the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in McCook County, South Dakota
A Broad Network of Rural Schools
McCook County features 12 public schools, including six elementary, three middle, and three high schools. Three separate districts manage the education of ,148 students across the county. The entire system is built to serve a widely distributed rural population.
Strong Graduation Rates and Value Spending
McCook County achieves an 88.2% graduation rate, exceeding both state and national averages. The county spends $6,839 per pupil, which is lower than the state average but produces a solid school score of 52.2. This indicates high efficiency, as results outperform the national median score of 50.0.
Three Districts Leading the Way
McCook Central School District 43-7 is the largest, serving 434 students, followed by Canistota and Montrose districts. None of the 12 schools in the county are charter schools. These traditional districts remain the bedrock of the local educational landscape.
Small-Town Feel in Every Classroom
All schools operate in rural settings with an average enrollment of 96 students per school. McCook Central Elementary is the county's largest school with 184 students, while Montrose Elementary is a smaller alternative with 107. The rural locale ensures that every student is part of a tight-knit peer group.
Discover Homes Near Top-Tier Rural Schools
High graduation rates make McCook County an attractive destination for families moving to South Dakota. The diverse range of small districts offers homebuyers flexibility in choosing the right fit for their children. Consider local real estate to access a high-performing, efficient school system.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in McCook County
Total Enrollment
1,148
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in McCook County
McCook Central School District 43-7
Canistota School District 43-1
Montrose School District 43-2
12 Public Schools in McCook County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 | McCook Central School District 43-7 | PK–4 | Primary | 184 |
| Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 | Bridgewater-Emery 30-3 | PK–5 | Primary | 162 |
| Canistota Elementary - 02 | Canistota School District 43-1 | PK–5 | Primary | 157 |
| McCook Central High School - 01 | McCook Central School District 43-7 | 9–12 | High | 128 |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 | Montrose School District 43-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 107 |
| McCook Central Middle School - 03 | McCook Central School District 43-7 | 5–8 | Middle | 96 |
| Canistota High School - 01 | Canistota School District 43-1 | 9–12 | High | 76 |
| Canistota Middle School - 03 | Canistota School District 43-1 | 6–8 | Middle | 60 |
| Montrose High School - 01 | Montrose School District 43-2 | 9–12 | High | 59 |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 | Montrose School District 43-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 57 |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 | Montrose School District 43-2 | KG–8 | Primary | 36 |
| Goldenview Colony School - 04 | McCook Central School District 43-7 | KG–8 | Primary | 26 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,839
State avg $7,409
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in McCook County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in McCook County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in McCook County rate?
What is the graduation rate in McCook County?
How much does McCook County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in McCook County, South Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in McCook County, South Dakota?
McCook County features 12 public schools, including six elementary, three middle, and three high schools. Three separate districts manage the education of ,148 students across the county. The entire system is built to serve a widely distributed rural population.
How do schools in McCook County perform academically?
McCook County achieves an 88.2% graduation rate, exceeding both state and national averages. The county spends $6,839 per pupil, which is lower than the state average but produces a solid school score of 52.2. This indicates high efficiency, as results outperform the national median score of 50.0.
What are the major school districts in McCook County, South Dakota?
McCook Central School District 43-7 is the largest, serving 434 students, followed by Canistota and Montrose districts. None of the 12 schools in the county are charter schools. These traditional districts remain the bedrock of the local educational landscape.
What is the school experience like in McCook County?
All schools operate in rural settings with an average enrollment of 96 students per school. McCook Central Elementary is the county's largest school with 184 students, while Montrose Elementary is a smaller alternative with 107. The rural locale ensures that every student is part of a tight-knit peer group.
How can I find homes near good schools in McCook County, South Dakota?
High graduation rates make McCook County an attractive destination for families moving to South Dakota. The diverse range of small districts offers homebuyers flexibility in choosing the right fit for their children. Consider local real estate to access a high-performing, efficient school system.
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.