Total enrollment
858
-1 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
Corson County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Corson County operates 11 public K-12 schools inside South Dakota, with combined enrollment of approximately 858 (about 78 students per school). By grade band, the county runs 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
7-year change in Corson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
11
+2 (+22%) vs SY 2017-18
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
11
5 districts
Enrollment
858
NCES CCD
Median income
$46,406
Below South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
99.3%
Above South Dakota avg
Elementary
5
453 students
Middle
3
170 students
High
3
235 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
McLaughlin School District 15-2
443 students · 5 districts in Corson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Corson County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
19.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
34.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
23.5%
civilian labor
Median age
30
35.3% under 18
Test scores in Corson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Wakpala Elementary - 02· 51.3%
- Wakpala Middle School - 04· 41.0%
- McIntosh Middle School - 03· 32.5%
- McLaughlin Middle School - 03· 15.3%
- McLaughlin Elementary - 02· 11.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin Elementary - 02 | Mclaughlin | Elementary | PK-05 | 203 | · |
| McLaughlin High School - 01 | Mclaughlin | High | 09-12 | 155 | · |
| Wakpala Elementary - 02 | Wakpala | Elementary | KG-05 | 95 | · |
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 | Mclaughlin | Middle | 06-08 | 85 | · |
| Little Eagle School | Little Eagle | Elementary | KG-08 | 62 | · |
| Rock Creek Grant School | Bullhead | Elementary | KG-08 | 50 | · |
| McIntosh Middle School - 03 | Mcintosh | Middle | 05-08 | 44 | · |
| McIntosh Elementary - 02 | Mcintosh | Elementary | PK-04 | 43 | · |
| McIntosh High School - 01 | Mcintosh | High | 09-12 | 42 | · |
| Wakpala Middle School - 04 | Wakpala | Middle | 06-08 | 41 | · |
| Wakpala High School - 01 | Wakpala | High | 09-12 | 38 | · |
Cities in Corson County
About Corson County
Corson County is a compact South Dakota county of about 3,806 residents, home to 11 public schools and roughly 858 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $46,406, about 19% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 34%. That income level is 34% noticeably below the South Dakota median.
On the school-mix side, Corson County is built around 5 elementary schools (453 students), 3 middle schools (170), and 3 high schools (235).
McLaughlin School District 15-2 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 443 students on its own.
Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Corson County has stayed largely flat since SY 2017-18, moving from about 859 students to 858. Over that span, Corson County gained 2 schools, going from 9 to 11.
On allk12, the community for Corson County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
Corson County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data