Total enrollment
484
+33 (+7%) vs SY 2017-18
Sanborn County
South Dakota · Public K-12
Sanborn County reports 6 public K-12 schools and roughly 484 students enrolled, per NCES, with a mix of 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high.
7-year change in Sanborn County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
92%
was 91%
% Hispanic
4%
was 4%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
2 districts
Enrollment
484
NCES CCD
Median income
$78,750
Above South Dakota avg
Free/reduced lunch
31.0%
Below South Dakota avg
Elementary
3
325 students
Middle
1
35 students
High
2
124 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Woonsocket School District 55-4
272 students · 2 districts in Sanborn County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Sanborn 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+
21.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
0.6%
civilian labor
Median age
40
25.9% under 18
Test scores in Sanborn County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. South Dakota state average: 50.4%.
Top 3 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woonsocket Elementary - 03 | Woonsocket | Elementary | PK-08 | 181 | · |
| Sanborn Central Elementary - 06 | Forestburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 102 | · |
| Woonsocket High School - 01 | Woonsocket | High | 09-12 | 91 | · |
| Upland Colony Elementary - 05 | Artesian | Elementary | KG-08 | 42 | · |
| Sanborn Central Middle School - 02 | Forestburg | Middle | 06-08 | 35 | · |
| Sanborn Central High School - 01 | Forestburg | High | 09-12 | 33 | · |
Cities in Sanborn County
About Sanborn County
In South Dakota, Sanborn County is a sparse county of about 2,384 residents. 6 public schools across the county hosts about 484 students between them.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $78,750 a year, about 21% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 6%. That income level is 12% noticeably above the South Dakota median.
For a sense of the school types, Sanborn County consists of 3 elementary schools (325 students), 1 middle school (35), and 2 high schools (124).
The largest single district in Sanborn County is Woonsocket School District 55-4, which alone enrolls about 272 students.
Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Sanborn County has climbed 7% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 451 students to 484.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Sanborn County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data