Total enrollment
1,061
+39 (+4%) vs SY 2017-18
Kingsbury County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Public K-12 enrollment in Kingsbury County totals about 1,061 students across 17 schools, an average of 62 per campus. De Smet School District 38-2 is the largest district. That works out to 6 elementary, 4 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Kingsbury County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
89%
was 94%
% Hispanic
6%
was 3%
% Black
1%
was 2%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
5,244
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
17
6 districts
Enrollment
1,061
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$74,000
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
29.5%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
6
573 students
Middle
4
219 students
High
5
269 students
Combined / other
2
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
De Smet School District 38-2
362 students · 6 districts in Kingsbury County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Kingsbury 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+
23.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.0%
civilian labor
Median age
42
25.1% under 18
Test scores in Kingsbury County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Iroquois Elementary - 04· 28.6%
- Iroquois Middle School - 02· 35.6%
- Arlington Jr. High - 03· 57.5%
- Lake Preston Elementary - 02· 58.1%
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02· 60.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 | De Smet | Elementary | PK-05 | 176 | · |
| Arlington Elementary - 02 | Arlington | Elementary | KG-06 | 152 | · |
| Iroquois Elementary - 04 | Iroquois | Elementary | PK-05 | 114 | · |
| Lake Preston Elementary - 02 | Lake Preston | Elementary | PK-05 | 96 | · |
| De Smet High School - 01 | De Smet | High | 09-12 | 95 | · |
| De Smet Middle School - 03 | De Smet | Middle | 06-08 | 91 | · |
| Arlington High School - 01 | Arlington | High | 09-12 | 76 | · |
| Iroquois Middle School - 02 | Iroquois | Middle | 06-08 | 48 | · |
| Arlington Jr. High - 03 | Arlington | Middle | 07-08 | 47 | · |
| Iroquois High School - 01 | Iroquois | High | 09-12 | 45 | · |
| Lake Preston High School - 01 | Lake Preston | High | 09-12 | 41 | · |
| Lake Preston Middle School - 03 | Lake Preston | Middle | 06-08 | 33 | · |
| Spring Lake Colony Elementary | Arlington | Elementary | KG-08 | 18 | · |
| Arlington Preschool - 04 | Arlington | Elementary | PK-PK | 17 | · |
| Spring Lake Colony High School | Arlington | High | 09-12 | 12 | · |
| Spring Lake Colony Elementary - 04 | Arlington | Combined | M-M | · | · |
| Spring Lake Colony High School - 05 | Arlington | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Kingsbury County
About Kingsbury County
Kingsbury County is a rural-scale county of about 5,244 residents in South Dakota. Its public-school system teaches approximately 1,061 students across 17 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $74,000, about 23% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 10%. That income level is 6% above the South Dakota median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Kingsbury County comprises 6 elementary schools (573 students), 4 middle schools (219), 5 high schools (269), and 2 combined or other schools.
De Smet School District 38-2 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 362 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment climbed 4%: 1,022 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,061 in SY 2024-25. Demographically, the White share of enrollment declined from 94% to 89%.
On allk12, the community for Kingsbury County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Kingsbury County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data