South Dakota: 54% of High School Students Aren’t College, Career Ready Despite 91% Completion Rate

A recent report card from the state of South Dakota shows that although most students are completing high school, about half are not proficient in key subjects or ready for college – a juxtaposition the state education agency calls “complicated.” The South Dakota Department of Education released its State Report Card for the 2023-24 school year last week. Despite the 91% high school completion rate, the state's metrics deemed only 54% of students ready for life after graduating high school.