For the 2025 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 12,145 students in Rapid City, SD (there are , serving 2,062 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Rapid City, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Rapid City, SD are Pinedale Elementary - 11, Southwest Middle School - 38 and Corral Drive Elementary - 21. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rapid City, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Rapid City have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Schools in Rapid City, SD (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinedale Elementary - 11
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4901 W Chicago St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1805
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1805
Gr: K-5 | 363 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Southwest Middle School - 38
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4501 Park Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Gr: 6-8 | 665 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Corral Drive Elementary - 21
(Math: 69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3736 Corral Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6789
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6789
Gr: K-5 | 467 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10
(Math: 56% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3125 W Flormann St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1821
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1821
Gr: K-5 | 454 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
Stevens High School - 42
(Math: 46% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4215 Raider Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Gr: 9-12 | 1,763 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Rapid City Online Middle School - 93
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4067
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4067
Gr: 6-8 | 16 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #77.
Rapid City Online Elementary - 94
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Gr: K-5 | 22 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #88.
West Middle School - 37
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1003 Soo San Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4033
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4033
Gr: 6-8 | 603 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #99.
Central High School - 41
(Math: 24% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
433 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4023
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4023
Gr: 9-12 | 2,020 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1010.
Grandview Elementary - 06
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3301 Grandview Dr
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1829
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1829
Gr: K-5 | 409 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1111.
South Canyon Elementary - 15
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
218 Nordbye Ln
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1801
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1801
Gr: K-5 | 259 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1212.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1313.
Rapid City Online High School - 92
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 67 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
827 Franklin St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1837
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1837
Gr: K-5 | 287 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1515.
Valley View Elementary - 13
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4840 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2812
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2812
Gr: K-5 | 584 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
East Middle School - 30
(Math: 35% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4860 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 394-4092
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 394-4092
Gr: 6-8 | 611 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1717.
South Middle School - 36
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2 Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4024
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4024
Gr: 6-8 | 502 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1818.
South Park Elementary - 16
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
207 Flormann St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1833
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1833
Gr: K-5 | 285 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1919.
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2020.
Horace Mann Elementary - 07
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
902 Anamosa St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1847
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1847
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2121.
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
424 E Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2222.
North Middle School - 35
(Math: 15% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1501 N Maple St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4042
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4042
Gr: 6-8 | 480 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2323.
General Beadle Elementary - 01
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
10 Van Buren St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2424.
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Downing St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Gr: K-5 | 357 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Jefferson Building - 64
Special Education School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 35 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Gr: K | 14 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Lincoln Building - 44
Special Education School
851 West St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: 12 | 29 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Wellfully - 65
Alternative School
22 Waterloo St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 1-12 | 11 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rapid City, South Dakota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
9th Grade Academy - 72 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
1315 Quincy St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-3553
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-3553
Gr: 9-10 | 59 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Alternative Education Center - 73 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 62 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 62:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Career Learning Center - 71 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
730 East Watertown
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Gr: 9-12 | 11 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Kibben-kuster - 52 (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
3302 West St Cloud St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 37 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rapid City High School - 45 (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
601 Columbus St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 356 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Virtual School - 74 (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
21 St Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 6-12 | 1 student
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Rapid City, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Rapid City, SD include Pinedale Elementary - 11, Southwest Middle School - 38 and Corral Drive Elementary - 21.
How many public schools are located in Rapid City?
28 public schools are located in Rapid City.
What percentage of students in Rapid City go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Rapid City are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rapid City?
Rapid City public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public schools average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Rapid City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rapid City include: Stevens High School - 42 vs. Central High School - 41, Central High School - 41 vs. Stevens High School - 42, West Middle School - 37 vs. Southwest Middle School - 38
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
