Howard's public schools offer children educational and social benefits they carry their entire lives. What's more, our schools provide parents peace of mind, because no one gets lost in the crowd here. In 2008-09, K-12 enrollment is 378. A typical graduating class would be 30 or so students.

Howard schools boast a wide range of extracurricular activities suited to all tastes, and there are opportunities for everyone to participate. Most important, academic standards are high. The elementary and high schools were just designated Distinguished Schools by the State of South Dakota, under the provisions of No Child Left Behind. The designation is based on a sound in-house curriculum.

And now, thanks to Howard's technical savvy and South Dakota's commitment to small schools, high school students are accessing advanced placement course offerings, online or via interactive video conferencing. "For highly motivated students, that can be an exciting and self-directed way to learn," observes superintendent Mike Cullen. "They develop skills that will serve them well in college." Speaking of post-secondary education, Howard is within commuting distance of several public and private universities and technical schools.