South Dakota’s K-12 population declined slightly this year, but enrollment in alternative instruction grew again.
Watertown schools saw a decrease year over year, from 2024 to 2025. However, the Castlewood school system has seen an increase.
That’s according to headcount numbers taken on September 26, 2025, and released by the South Dakota Department of Education through December 31.
Watertown’s Dane Stark passes the ball while guarded by Brookings’ Gavin Smith during the season-opening high school boys basketball game on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Brookings High School. Watertown won 66-45.
All total, there are 163,053 K-12 students statewide, with 83% of those students attending public schools, 9% enrolled in non-public schools and 8% in alternative instruction.
There are 934 fewer K-12 students statewide than last year’s count of 163,987, a decrease of 0.5%.
Public school enrollment decreased by 1,736 students statewide. Across 147 public school districts, there were 135,577 K-12 students this fall, down from 137,313 in last year’s fall count, a drop of just over 1%.
Fall 2024 count: Enrollment in South Dakota public schools is down by more than 400 students, the DOE reports
Private school enrollment decreased by 142 students statewide, with a total of 15,043 students in SDDOE-accredited non-public schools statewide, down from last year’s count of 15,185, a decrease of 1%.
Non-public school enrollment includes 9,462 students in private schools, 5,072 in tribal/BIE schools, 268 in special population schools, 175 in multiple co-op/districts, 26 in community-based service providers, 21 in the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and 19 in alternative schools.
Enrollment for alternative instruction increased by 944 students statewide, with a total of 12,433 students in alternative instruction or homeschooling this fall, up from 11,489 in last year’s count, an 8% increase.
In the Sioux Falls metro area, there are 52,325 K-12 students, with 85% attending public schools, 9% enrolled in non-public schools and 6% in alternative instruction.
Watertown, Castlewood school enrollment numbers
In 2024, Watertown public schools had 3,535 students enrolled. By 2025, enrollment has dropped to 3,366, down 169 students.
As for private schools in Watertown, enrollment increased by 25 students from 2024 to 2025. In 2024, Watertown had 80 students in private schools. This fall, the number rose to 105.
As for Castlewood, the 2024 numbers were 337, increasing to 350 in 2025. This school district moved the needle up with 13 students.
Sioux Falls area public schools
The state’s largest public school district, the Sioux Falls School District, dropped 171 students this fall, down from last year’s count of 24,221 K-12 students to this year’s count of 24,050.
Students exit the school bus to find their class line during the first day of school on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Marcella LeBeau Elementary School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls’ neighboring K-12 public school districts saw the following enrollment changes this year:
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Harrisburg, the state’s third-largest district, grew by 173 students, from 6,182 last year to 6,355 this year.
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Brandon Valley, the state’s fourth-largest district, grew by 82 students, from 5,073 last year to 5,155 this year.
All total, there are 44,384 K-12 students in Sioux Falls area public schools, an increase of 50 students or 0.1% from last fall’s count of 44,334.
O’Gorman graduates throw their caps as the ceremony ends on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
All total, there are 4,801 K-12 students in Sioux Falls area non-public schools, an increase of 24 students or 0.5% from last fall’s count of 4,777.
More: Alternative education is on the rise as South Dakota Legislature looks at school choice bill
Louis listens to his mother Cassandra Brown talk about foxes during a lesson on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at The Pelican School in Sioux Falls.
All total, there are 3,140 students in alternative instruction in the Sioux Falls metro area, an increase of 305 students or 10.7% from last year’s count of 2,835.
Alice Mannette contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on the Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Why more South Dakota families are choosing to homeschool