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Schools in Blackhawk · Rapid City School District 51-4

Blackhawk’s public schools score below 71% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation

For Blackhawk, that is below the South Dakota average (84%). The grade covers the public school district serving Blackhawk, 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.

#31of 35 South Dakota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From South Dakota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
46%
▼ 5 pts vs SD 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
36%
▼ 6 pts vs SD 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
71%
▼ 13 pts vs SD 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.0K
▼ 15% vs SD $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.9
SD 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
6,928 students on the public path
In brief

Blackhawk’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 341 South Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Blackhawk’s, its schools beat 23%, lower than their 29% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 51% and 42% statewide; 100% 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

The district spends $11,037 per student, against $13,040 across South Dakota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then five middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Blackhawk’s grade

C Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 29% of South Dakota school districts, #31 of 35 South Dakota towns. Both inputs trail the South Dakota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

South Dakota school districts we grade (147)Better than 29%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Dakota towns with similar household incomes (341)Better than 23%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 6,498 test results and a graduating class of 964 could put Blackhawk anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Blackhawk’s students in the tested grades sat them (6,499 in math, 6,498 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Blackhawk, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Black Hawk Elementary - 03Rapid City School District 51-4D
6–85 middle schoolsDepends on your addressD to A−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A+

Blackhawk’s public schools are run by Rapid City School District 51-4, which also serves Rapid City and Summerset. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Rapid City School District 51-4Grades PK–12 · 25 schools · 12,313 students · 15.9 per teacher (SD 13.7)
$11,037SD $13,040 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading46%
State average 51% · 6498 students tested
Math36%
State average 42.2% · 6499 students tested

Blackhawk vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Blackhawk’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BlackhawkCRapid City School District 51-4
SummersetCMeade School District 46-1 PK–12 · Rapid City School District 51-4 PK–12

Every school in Blackhawk

8 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).

District schools in Blackhawkby address
Black Hawk Elementary - 03
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Black Hawk
D
305 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Blackhawkin other towns
South Middle School - 36
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Rapid City
C−
618 students14:1Rate it →
Southwest Middle School - 38
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Rapid City
A−
614 students16:1Rate it →
East Middle School - 30
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Rapid City
C−
613 students16:1Rate it →
West Middle School - 37
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Rapid City
C+
591 students15:1Rate it →
North Middle School - 35
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Rapid City
D
418 students12:1Rate it →
Central High School - 41
High · Grades 9–12 · Rapid City
B−
1,998 students17:1Rate it →
Stevens High School - 42
High · Grades 9–12 · Rapid City
A+
1,771 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Blackhawk’s schools

Are Blackhawk’s schools good?

On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Blackhawk children attend score below 71% of South Dakota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #31 of 35 South Dakota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 23%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Blackhawk in?

Rapid City School District 51-4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,313 students in 25 schools (2024–25).

Where do Blackhawk kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Central High School - 41 and Stevens High School - 42.

What is Blackhawk’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 Blackhawk spend per student?

$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 Blackhawk families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Blackhawk → 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.