South Dakota
South Dakota is one of the least populated states in the United States. Yet it has not let other states overshadow it in any way. Education is one such field, where the state has not only performed impressively but statistics show that it has surpassed others as well. According to one set of statistics, South Dakota led the nation in the number of elementary and secondary schools per capita. Its school graduation rate has been higher than the national average. South Dakotan students have performed better than students in most other states in college admission tests like ACT.
South Dakota Schools
Also known as the Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota is home to several public and private universities. It also has a law school as well as a medical school. The state is also home to several public and private schools, schools for special needs students, in addition to technical institutes. South Dakota's largest university, a public university located in Brookings, awards associate to doctoral degrees in various academic disciplines. Its engineering, biological and agricultural science programs are highly ranked and renowned for research. Students interested in becoming lawyers and doctors usually enroll in South Dakota's oldest university located in Vermillion. Sioux Falls is home to South Dakota's largest private college. A private liberal arts college, it has consistently been ranked for its various academic programs in prestigious publications such as U.S. News & World Report, etc. Its nursing program is one of the most sought after in the state by future health care professionals.
Interesting Fact
One of the most interesting facts of South Dakota's public education system is its emphasis on the development of Native American students. The South Dakota Department of Education through its Office of Indian Education aims to create partnership between the public school system, the Bureau of Indian Education and tribal schools, to narrow the scholastic gap between Native and non-Native students. The state of South Dakota boasts wide open spaces for healthy living and top-ranked schools for intellectual and physical nourishment of the students. The environment offers the right balance for students to achieve and accomplish.