Whitewood Elementary School was selected as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School for 2008. This award, from the U.S. Department of Education, distinguishes and honors public and private elementary, middle and high school schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.

During its 26-year history, the Blue Ribbon School Program has honored more than 5,800 of America's most successful school. In 2008, 320 schools throughout the nation were honored and Whitewood Elementary was one of only two South Dakota schools to receive that honor!

The school, located in the northeast part of Whitewood, has an enrollment of 106 students in grades K-6 and is part of the Meade School District 46-1.