Total enrollment
1,172
+103 (+10%) vs SY 2020-21
McCook County
South Dakota · Public K-12
McCook County is one of South Dakota's public-school counties, with 12 schools serving about 1,172 students (6 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high). Median household income in the county is roughly $83,852.
4-year change in McCook County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How McCook County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Dakota | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 50.1% | #10 of 22 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,172 | #27 of 31 | #2,650 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 12 | #20 of 31 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.3:1 | #10 of 31 | #632 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 23.2% | #26 of 31 | #2,478 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 15.0% | #28 of 30 | #2,340 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.
McCook County school rankings
Residents
5,751
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
12
4 districts
Enrollment
1,172
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$83,852
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
23.2%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
6
687 students
Middle
3
205 students
High
3
280 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
McCook Central School District 43-7
455 students · 4 districts in McCook County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of McCook 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+
29.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.8%
civilian labor
Median age
40
28.5% under 18
Test scores in McCook County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Canistota Elementary - 02· 69.5%
- Montrose Elementary - 02· 68.6%
- Montrose Middle School - 03· 65.4%
- Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02· 61.5%
- McCook Central Elementary - 02· 49.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 | Salem | Elementary | PK-05 | 225 | · |
| Bridgewater-Emery Elementary - 02 | Bridgewater | Elementary | PK-05 | 143 | · |
| Canistota Elementary - 02 | Canistota | Elementary | PK-05 | 141 | · |
| McCook Central High School - 01 | Salem | High | 09-12 | 118 | · |
| Montrose Elementary - 02 | Montrose | Elementary | PK-05 | 108 | · |
| Canistota High School - 01 | Canistota | High | 09-12 | 99 | · |
| McCook Central Middle School - 03 | Salem | Middle | 06-08 | 84 | · |
| Canistota Middle School - 03 | Canistota | Middle | 06-08 | 68 | · |
| Montrose High School - 01 | Montrose | High | 09-12 | 63 | · |
| Montrose Middle School - 03 | Montrose | Middle | 06-08 | 53 | · |
| Orland Colony Elementary - 04 | Montrose | Elementary | KG-08 | 42 | · |
| Goldenview Colony School - 04 | Salem | Elementary | KG-08 | 28 | · |
Cities in McCook County
About McCook County
McCook County is a thinly populated county of about 5,751 residents in South Dakota. Its public-school system hosts approximately 1,172 students across 12 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $83,852 a year, 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 6%. That income level is 20% meaningfully above the South Dakota median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, McCook County consists of 6 elementary schools (687 students), 3 middle schools (205), and 3 high schools (280).
The largest single district in McCook County is McCook Central School District 43-7, which alone enrolls about 455 students.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment climbed 10%: 1,069 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,172 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for McCook County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. 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