South Dakota Students Outperform National Average on ACT, Class of 2025 Posts 21 Composite Score

South Dakota students continue to outscore national averages on the ACT exam, maintaining the state’s academic edge.

By Freddi Hammer October 20, 2025 8:55 am

South Dakota ACT scores South Dakota students outperform ACT national average South Dakota education news South Dakota Class of 2025 South Dakota Department of Education Joe Graves South Dakota ACT test South Dakota South Dakota high school students South Dakota public schools ACT participation rates college readiness South Dakota ACT composite score 2025 TTWN News South Dakota South Dakota standardized testing — Metro Services

MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) South Dakota students are maintaining their lead against national peers for the average ACT composite score. According to TTWN, 60 percent of the 2025 graduating class took the ACT and earned an average score of 21, which is nearly two points above the national average of 19-point-four. The ACT remains optional for students considering higher education, but all South Dakota juniors at public schools will have to take the test in spring 2026. South Dakota Secretary of Education Joe Graves says “having an ACT score in hand can open doors to opportunities students may never have considered before.” For more Government stories from MitchellNow.com, Click Here.

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