Northwestern Area School District, located in Mellette, S.D., provides a friendly, small-town atmosphere for 300+ 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. 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 has been 1:1 with technology devices in grades K-12 since 2010 with the release of the iPad. Students in grades K-8 receive iPads while high school students receive laptops. Nearly every classroom is equipped with a mounted, wireless LCD projector, and interactive whiteboards have 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. Northwestern's FBLA chapter won the state competition (all class sizes) seven years straight, 2014-2020, finished runner-up in 2021, and won again in 2022. The Visual Arts team has been state champions (Class B) four of the last six years and has been runner-up twice. The team has had two "Best in Show" at the state competition. The screen-printing business run by the students encompasses both the business and art 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, live streams school events, and produces digital media. The student council organizes and manages all homecoming festivities. The FFA program allows students to explore agricultural interests and students attend several events around the state each year. They also compete at the FFA National Convention where they have had place winners, including a national champion.

Athletically, Northwestern has played in 25 state championships, bringing home 15 state titles (two in boys basketball, one in girls basketball, and 12 in volleyball). 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. Several students from other area communities also attend school at Northwestern. The district also serves students online across the state via iSucceed High School.

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.