Northwestern Area School District, located in Mellette, S.D., provides a friendly, small-town atmosphere for 244 students from the surrounding communities in grades K-12. Students receive a top-notch education with highly regarded academic programs and extracurricular activities. 

Academically, Northwestern offers elective courses in art, business, music, agriculture, and wellness in addition to the core curriculum. To prepare students for college, Northwestern offers Advanced Placement courses in English literature and English language. Students enjoy one-on-one attention with staff members, while they also have the opportunity to take high school, dual-credit, and AP classes online.

Northwestern can boast it has been 1:1 with technology devices in grades K-12 since 2010 with the release of the iPad.  We issue iPads to students in grades K-8 and laptops in grades 9-12.  Nearly every classroom is equipped with a mounted, wireless LCD projector, and interactive whiteboards have recently been installed in elementary classrooms.   

Organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America, Journalism, Drama Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, and Student Council provide students with additional learning opportunities outside the classroom. FBLA advances several students to the national convention each year. The screen-printing business run by the students encompasses both the art and business programs to make high-quality apparel for organizations inside and outside of the school. In addition to performing a spring play, the Drama Club advances thespians to the state competition in oral interpretation and one-act play. The journalism class produces the all-state yearbook and newspaper. The student council organizations and manages all homecoming festivities. The FFA program allows students to explore agricultural interests and attends several events around the state each year.

Athletically, Northwestern has played in 22 state championships, bringing home 13 state titles. Northwestern possesses a strong tradition in volleyball, cross country, football, basketball, track and field, competition cheer and dance, as well as wrestling. Northwestern athletes work out in a facility that features two gymnasiums, a weight room, a cardio room and a full-size football field with a concession stand and skybox seating.

A consolidated school district, Northwestern provides educational services to the towns of Ashton, Athol, Brentford, Chelsea, Conde, Cresbard, Mansfield, Mellette, and Northville. With tremendous support from parents, staff, patrons, the Booster Club, the Northwestern Community Foundation, and the Plains Lions Club, Northwestern students receive a first-rate education and are the pride of their communities.