Ashland Heights’s public schools score below 70% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation
The four-year graduation rate in Ashland Heights’s district is 71%, below the South Dakota average (84%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Ashland Heights, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Dakota, not nationally.
From South Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ashland Heights’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 47% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
71% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Douglas School District 51-1 spends $12,211 per student and Rapid City School District 51-4 $11,037, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ashland Heights’s grade
C: better than 30% of South Dakota school districts. Both inputs trail the South Dakota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ashland Heights, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Ashland Heights · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Douglas High School - 03
Grades 9–12 · 739 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Box Elder
10th grade in Ashland Heights · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Douglas High School - 03
Grades 9–12 · 739 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Box Elder
11th grade in Ashland Heights · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Douglas High School - 03
Grades 9–12 · 739 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Box Elder
12th grade in Ashland Heights · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rapid City
Douglas High School - 03
Grades 9–12 · 739 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Box Elder
Ashland Heights runs its own schools through grade 12 (Douglas School District 51-1). From grade PK, students attend the Rapid City School District 51-4, shared with Rapid City and Summerset. Its elementary school is in Box Elder. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Ashland Heights
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Ashland Heights vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Ashland Heights’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland Heights | C | Douglas School District 51-1 PK–12 · Rapid City School District 51-4 PK–12 |
| Box Elder | B− | Douglas School District 51-1 |
Every school in Ashland Heights
24 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Dakota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Ashland Heights’s schools
Are Ashland Heights’s schools good?
On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ashland Heights children attend score below 70% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ashland Heights in?
Two districts: Douglas School District 51-1 runs grades PK–12, and Rapid City School District 51-4 runs grades PK–12, shared with Rapid City and Summerset.
Where do Ashland Heights kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Central High School - 41, Stevens High School - 42 and Douglas High School - 03.
What is Ashland Heights’s graduation rate?
71% of the class of 2023 in Rapid City School District 51-4 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Dakota.
How much does Ashland Heights spend per student?
$12,211 in Douglas School District 51-1 and $11,037 in Rapid City School District 51-4 (FY2024), against $13,040 across South Dakota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Ashland Heights families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ashland Heights → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Dakota. Stars are from neighbors.