Union County Schools & Education
Union County, South Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
39/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
91.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,001
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,409
School Score
39/100
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
#32
of 65 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Union County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 39/100, Union County maintains a strong graduation rate of 91.9%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $6,001 per pupil, Union County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Union County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% above the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 9.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 19% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Union County, South Dakota
A Growing Suburban and Rural Network
Union County supports 13 public schools serving a large student body of 3,135 children. The infrastructure includes five elementary, four middle, and four high schools distributed across four school districts. This mix of facilities handles one of the larger student populations in the region.
High Achievement on a Budget
Union County stands out with a 91.9% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 82.4%. Remarkably, the county achieves this with a very low per-pupil expenditure of $6,001, which is over $1,400 less than the state average. The composite school score of 52.4 reflects a high-performing system that maximizes every dollar.
Dakota Valley Leads a Diverse District Mix
The Dakota Valley School District 61-8 is the largest in the county, educating 1,387 students across four schools. Other significant districts include Beresford and Alcester-Hudson, providing a range of educational leadership. There are zero charter schools, meaning these four districts provide 100% of the county's public education.
Suburban Reach Meets Rural Roots
The county offers a unique locale mix with four suburban schools and nine rural schools. Average school size is 241 students, though Dakota Valley High School is the largest with 448 students. This variety allows families to choose between a more traditional rural setting or a growing suburban school environment.
Great Schools as a Home-Buying Factor
Union County's exceptional graduation rates and efficient school districts are a major draw for families. Whether you are looking for a suburban feel near Dakota Valley or a rural homestead near Beresford, school quality is a key benefit here. Explore current real estate listings to find a home near these top-tier South Dakota schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Union County
Total Enrollment
3,135
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 Union County
Dakota Valley School District 61-8
Beresford School District 61-2
Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7
Alcester-Hudson School District 61-1
13 Public Schools in Union County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Valley High School - 01 | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 | 9–12 | High | 448 |
| Dakota Valley Elementary - 02 | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 | KG–3 | Primary | 365 |
| Dakota Valley Middle School - 03 | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 | 6–8 | Middle | 342 |
| Elk Point-Jefferson Elementary - 02 | Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7 | KG–5 | Primary | 321 |
| Beresford Elementary - 02 | Beresford School District 61-2 | KG–5 | Primary | 307 |
| Dakota Valley Upper Elementary - 04 | Dakota Valley School District 61-8 | 4–5 | Primary | 232 |
| Beresford High School - 01 | Beresford School District 61-2 | 9–12 | High | 227 |
| Elk Point-Jefferson High School - 01 | Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7 | 9–12 | High | 214 |
| Alcester-Hudson Elementary - 04 | Alcester-Hudson School District 61-1 | PK–6 | Primary | 195 |
| Beresford Middle School - 03 | Beresford School District 61-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 174 |
| Elk Point-Jefferson Middle School - 03 | Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7 | 6–8 | Middle | 153 |
| Alcester-Hudson High School - 01 | Alcester-Hudson School District 61-1 | 9–12 | High | 104 |
| Alcester-Hudson Jr. High - 03 | Alcester-Hudson School District 61-1 | 7–8 | Middle | 53 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,001
State avg $7,409
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Union County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Union County?
How much does Union County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Union County, South Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Union County, South Dakota?
Union County supports 13 public schools serving a large student body of 3,135 children. The infrastructure includes five elementary, four middle, and four high schools distributed across four school districts. This mix of facilities handles one of the larger student populations in the region.
How do schools in Union County perform academically?
Union County stands out with a 91.9% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 82.4%. Remarkably, the county achieves this with a very low per-pupil expenditure of $6,001, which is over $1,400 less than the state average. The composite school score of 52.4 reflects a high-performing system that maximizes every dollar.
What are the major school districts in Union County, South Dakota?
The Dakota Valley School District 61-8 is the largest in the county, educating 1,387 students across four schools. Other significant districts include Beresford and Alcester-Hudson, providing a range of educational leadership. There are zero charter schools, meaning these four districts provide 100% of the county's public education.
What is the school experience like in Union County?
The county offers a unique locale mix with four suburban schools and nine rural schools. Average school size is 241 students, though Dakota Valley High School is the largest with 448 students. This variety allows families to choose between a more traditional rural setting or a growing suburban school environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Union County, South Dakota?
Union County's exceptional graduation rates and efficient school districts are a major draw for families. Whether you are looking for a suburban feel near Dakota Valley or a rural homestead near Beresford, school quality is a key benefit here. Explore current real estate listings to find a home near these top-tier South Dakota schools.
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.