Perkins County Schools & Education

Perkins County, South Dakota

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

52/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

86.7%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

86.7%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 82.4%

Per-Pupil Spending

$8,631

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,409

School Score

52/100

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

#16

of 65 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Perkins County

School Verdict

Perkins County performs at an average level with a school score of 52/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.7%.

Funding Context

Perkins County spends $8,631 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Perkins County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 37% above the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 16% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Perkins County, South Dakota

Small-Town Learning Across Two Districts

Perkins County educates 417 students within six public schools, providing two elementary, two middle, and two high schools. These facilities are managed by two distinct districts that maintain a low student-to-school ratio.

High Scores and Competitive Graduation Rates

The county boasts an 86.7% graduation rate, exceeding the state average of 82.4% and nearly matching the national 87% mark. Investment is strong here, with per-pupil spending at $8,631, well above the South Dakota average of $7,409.

Lemmon and Bison District Highlights

The Lemmon School District 52-4 is the larger provider with 283 students, while the Bison School District 52-1 serves 134 students. Traditional public schooling remains the standard, as no charter schools operate in the county.

Intimate Rural Schools with Personal Focus

The average school enrollment is just 70 students, and all six schools are classified as rural. Lemmon Elementary is the county's largest school with 141 students, while Bison High School serves the smallest cohort with 43 students.

Establish Your Family in Perkins County

For those seeking a rural lifestyle with high-performing schools, Perkins County offers a compelling case for homebuyers. Check out local real estate listings to find a home near these small but academically strong districts.

School Overview

Total Schools

6

in Perkins County

Total Enrollment

417

students

School Districts

2

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary2
Middle2
High2
Other0

2 School Districts in Perkins County

Lemmon School District 52-4

3 schools
283 students

Bison School District 52-1

3 schools
134 students

6 Public Schools in Perkins County

Lemmon Elementary - 02

Lemmon School District 52-4

KG–6Primary141 students
Lemmon High School - 01

Lemmon School District 52-4

9–12High86 students
Bison Elementary - 02

Bison School District 52-1

KG–6Primary67 students
Lemmon Jr. High - 06

Lemmon School District 52-4

7–8Middle56 students
Bison High School - 01

Bison School District 52-1

9–12High43 students
Bison Jr. High - 04

Bison School District 52-1

7–8Middle24 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$8,631

State avg $7,409

Find Homes Near Top Schools

Browse homes in Perkins County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.

Search on Zillow →

Find a Tutor in Perkins County

Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.

Find a Tutor →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Perkins County rate?
Perkins County has a school score of 52/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Perkins County?
The high school graduation rate in Perkins County is 86.7%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Perkins County spend per student?
Perkins County spends $8,631 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Perkins County, South Dakota — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Perkins County, South Dakota?

Perkins County educates 417 students within six public schools, providing two elementary, two middle, and two high schools. These facilities are managed by two distinct districts that maintain a low student-to-school ratio.

How do schools in Perkins County perform academically?

The county boasts an 86.7% graduation rate, exceeding the state average of 82.4% and nearly matching the national 87% mark. Investment is strong here, with per-pupil spending at $8,631, well above the South Dakota average of $7,409.

What are the major school districts in Perkins County, South Dakota?

The Lemmon School District 52-4 is the larger provider with 283 students, while the Bison School District 52-1 serves 134 students. Traditional public schooling remains the standard, as no charter schools operate in the county.

What is the school experience like in Perkins County?

The average school enrollment is just 70 students, and all six schools are classified as rural. Lemmon Elementary is the county's largest school with 141 students, while Bison High School serves the smallest cohort with 43 students.

How can I find homes near good schools in Perkins County, South Dakota?

For those seeking a rural lifestyle with high-performing schools, Perkins County offers a compelling case for homebuyers. Check out local real estate listings to find a home near these small but academically strong districts.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.