Total enrollment
1,376
+66 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Hutchinson County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Hutchinson County's school count of 19 reflects a public K-12 system serving about 1,376 students inside South Dakota, around 19% of the county population. By grade band, the county runs 9 elementary, 4 middle, and 6 high schools.
4-year change in Hutchinson County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
-1 (-5%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Hutchinson County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Dakota | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 45.3% | #18 of 22 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,376 | #24 of 31 | #2,543 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 18 | #7 of 31 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.0:1 | #4 of 31 | #286 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 37.7% | #12 of 31 | #2,185 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 19.5% | #24 of 30 | #2,171 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Hutchinson County school rankings
Residents
7,404
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
19
4 districts
Enrollment
1,376
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$73,977
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.7%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
9
818 students
Middle
4
202 students
High
6
356 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Parkston School District 33-3
561 students · 4 districts in Hutchinson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Hutchinson 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+
28.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.6%
civilian labor
Median age
42
26.4% under 18
Test scores in Hutchinson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Freeman Jr High - 05· 57.8%
- Parkston Elementary - 02· 54.6%
- Freeman Elementary - 02· 51.5%
- Menno Middle School - 05· 50.0%
- Parkston Middle School - 05· 50.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Tripp Elementary - 03· 30.0%
- Menno Elementary - 02· 47.4%
- Menno Middle School - 05· 50.0%
- Parkston Middle School - 05· 50.0%
- Freeman Elementary - 02· 51.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkston Elementary - 02 | Parkston | Elementary | PK-05 | 272 | · |
| Freeman Elementary - 02 | Freeman | Elementary | PK-06 | 192 | · |
| Parkston High School - 01 | Parkston | High | 09-12 | 112 | · |
| Freeman High School - 01 | Freeman | High | 09-12 | 110 | · |
| Parkston Middle School - 05 | Parkston | Middle | 06-08 | 98 | · |
| Menno Elementary - 02 | Menno | Elementary | PK-05 | 91 | · |
| Tripp Elementary - 03 | Tripp | Elementary | PK-06 | 88 | · |
| Menno High School - 01 | Menno | High | 09-12 | 74 | · |
| Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03 | Olivet | Elementary | KG-08 | 50 | · |
| Freeman Jr High - 05 | Freeman | Middle | 07-08 | 49 | · |
| Maxwell Colony Elementary - 04 | Scotland | Elementary | KG-08 | 39 | · |
| Menno Middle School - 05 | Menno | Middle | 06-08 | 37 | · |
| Wolf Creek Colony Elementary - 04 | Olivet | Elementary | KG-08 | 34 | · |
| Tripp-Delmont High School - 01 | Tripp | High | 09-12 | 33 | · |
| Old Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 03 | Parkston | Elementary | PK-08 | 31 | · |
| Our Home | Parkston | High | 05-12 | 27 | · |
| New Elm Spring Colony Elementary - 08 | Ethan | Elementary | PK-08 | 21 | · |
| Tripp-Delmont Jr. High - 02 | Tripp | Middle | 07-08 | 18 | · |
| Parkston Virtual School - 92 | Ethan | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Hutchinson County
About Hutchinson County
Hutchinson County is a low-population county of about 7,404 residents in South Dakota. Its public-school system educates approximately 1,376 students across 19 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $73,977, 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 6%. That income level is 6% noticeably above the South Dakota median.
In terms of grade levels, Hutchinson County covers 9 elementary schools (818 students), 4 middle schools (202), and 6 high schools (356).
Parkston School District 33-3 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 561 students across Hutchinson County.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment expanded 5%: 1,310 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,376 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Hutchinson County closed 1 school, going from 19 to 18.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Hutchinson County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data