For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,062 students in Clay County, SD (there are , serving 125 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Clay County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Clay County, SD are Vermillion Middle School - 02, Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 and Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools in Clay County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Vermillion Middle School - 02
(Math: 47% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
422 Princeton St
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7025
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7025
Grades: 6-8
| 332 students
Rank: #22.
Irene - Wakonda High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
130 E State St
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Grades: 9-12
| 78 students
Rank: #33.
Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
202 Nebraska St
Wakonda, SD 57073
(605) 267-2644
Wakonda, SD 57073
(605) 267-2644
Grades: PK-6
| 161 students
Rank: #44.
Vermillion High School - 01
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1001 E Main St
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7035
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7035
Grades: 9-12
| 440 students
Rank: #55.
Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
130 E State St
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Grades: 7-8
| 51 students
Rank: n/an/a
701 W Partmouth St
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7000
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7000
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Clay County ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
300 High St
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7010
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7010
Grades: PK-1
| 277 students
Po Box 5
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Irene, SD 57037
(605) 263-3313
Grades: 7-8
| 28 students
224 S University
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7015
Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 677-7015
Grades: 2-5
| 383 students
Po Box 268
Wakonda, SD 57073
(605) 267-2644
Wakonda, SD 57073
(605) 267-2644
Grades: 7-8
| 27 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Clay County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Clay County, SD include Vermillion Middle School - 02, Irene - Wakonda High School - 01 and Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02.
How many public schools are located in Clay County?
6 public schools are located in Clay County.
What percentage of students in Clay County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Clay County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles

Can Naviance Succeed Improve College and Career Readiness?
Learn about a new student assessment system, Naviance Succeed, which provides tools and support to increase student college and career readiness. A number of school districts are using the tool this year in hopes of improving student performance through more accurate assessment process than are currently available.

Do You Need After School Day Care? ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools May Be the Solution
Learn about how your child's public school may be the best source of after school and vacation day care.

The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.