Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Rapid City’s public schools score below 71% of South Dakota districts on tests and graduation
For Rapid City, that is below the South Dakota average (84%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rapid City, 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 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.
Rapid City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 335 South Dakota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rapid City’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 ↓
12 elementary schools, then five middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rapid City Catholic School System (private), St. Elizabeth Seton School (private), Calvary Christian School (private), Zion Lutheran School (private), Creekside Christian School (private), St. Pauls Lutheran School (private), Children's House Montessori (private), Rapid City Seventh-Day Adventist Elementary School (private) and Black Hills Montessori School (private) are in town. Rapid City Online High School - 92, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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 Rapid City’s grade
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.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rapid City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Rapid City · depends on your address
General Beadle Elementary - 01
Grades PK–5 · 483 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14
Grades PK–5 · 328 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Rapid City · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Rapid City · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Rapid City · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Rapid City · depends on your address
Central High School - 41
Grades 9–12 · 1,998 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Stevens High School - 42
Grades 9–12 · 1,771 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Rapid City’s public schools are run by Rapid City School District 51-4, which also serves Summerset. Parts of Rapid City (5% of its land) are served by Douglas School District 51-1 instead. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Rapid City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Dakota towns that share Rapid City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | C | Rapid City School District 51-4 |
| Box Elder | B− | Douglas School District 51-1 |
Every school in Rapid City
30 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).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Rapid City High School - 45, Lincoln Building - 44 and Wellfully - 65).
Questions about Rapid City’s schools
Are Rapid City’s schools good?
On South Dakota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rapid City 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 Rapid City in?
Rapid City School District 51-4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,313 students in 25 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rapid City are served by Douglas School District 51-1.
Where do Rapid City 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 Rapid City’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 Rapid City 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.
Are there private schools in Rapid City?
Yes: Rapid City Catholic School System (Catholic, grades PK–12, 704 students), St. Elizabeth Seton School (Catholic, grades K–5, 285 students), Calvary Christian School (religious, grades PK–5, 227 students), Zion Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–5, 177 students), Creekside Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 128 students), St. Pauls Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 127 students), Children's House Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 87 students), Rapid City Seventh-Day Adventist Elementary School (religious, grades K–8, 18 students) and Black Hills Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 14 students).
Parents talk
What Rapid City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rapid City → 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.