For the 2025 school year, there are 42 public schools serving 15,957 students in Pennington County, SD (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,062 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Pennington County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Pennington County, 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.
Pennington County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 39% 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 Pennington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-5
| 363 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 665 students
Rank: #33.
Corral Drive Elementary - 21
(Math: 66% | 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
Grades: K-5
| 467 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 454 students
Rank: #55.
Patriot Elementary -06
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Grades: K-3
| 936 students
Rank: #66.
New Underwood High School - 01
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Grades: 9-12
| 94 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,763 students
Rank: #88.
Hill City Middle School - 04
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3025
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3025
Grades: 6-8
| 118 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Rapid City Online High School - 92
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Grades: 9-12
| 67 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 16 students
Rank: #1111.
New Underwood Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Grades: K-5
| 121 students
Rank: #1212.
Douglas High School - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
420 Patriot Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Grades: 9-12
| 752 students
Rank: #1313.
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
Grades: K-5
| 22 students
Rank: #1414.
Wall Middle School - 06
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Grades: 6-8
| 59 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Hill City High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
488 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3000
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3000
Grades: 9-12
| 154 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Wall High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Grades: 9-12
| 99 students
Rank: #1717.
Wall Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Grades: K-5
| 119 students
Rank: #1818.
West Middle School - 37
(Math: 43% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 603 students
Rank: #1919.
Central High School - 41
(Math: 27% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,020 students
Rank: #2020.
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
(Math: 42% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
561 Briggs St
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Grades: 4-5
| 442 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Hill City Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Grades: PK-5
| 236 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
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
Grades: K-5
| 259 students
Rank: #2323.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Grades: PK-5
| 487 students
Rank: #2424.
Grandview Elementary - 06
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3301 Grandview Dr
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1829
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1829
Grades: K-5
| 409 students
Rank: #2525.
Douglas Middle School - 01
(Math: 32% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
691 Tower Rd
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Grades: 6-8
| 623 students
Rank: #2626.
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
Grades: K-5
| 287 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
East Middle School - 30
(Math: 32% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 611 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Valley View Elementary - 13
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4840 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2812
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2812
Grades: K-5
| 584 students
Rank: #2929.
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04
(Math: 25-29% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 297 students
Rank: #3030.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 502 students
Rank: #3131.
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
Grades: K-5
| 285 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
New Underwood Middle School - 04
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Grades: 6-8
| 59 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 324 students
Rank: #3434.
North Middle School - 35
(Math: 16% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 480 students
Rank: #3535.
General Beadle Elementary - 01
(Math: 15-19% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 441 students
Show 7 more public schools in Pennington County, SD (out of 42 total schools)
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Pennington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-10
| 59 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 62 students
401 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Grades: K-1
| 464 students
19910 222nd St
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 11 students
420 Patriot Drive
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Grades: 9-12
| 703 students
441 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0070
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0070
Grades: 2-3
| 492 students
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
Grades: PK-12
| 37 students
Po Box 128
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Grades: 7-8
| 48 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 356 students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 1 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Pennington County, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Pennington County, SD include Pinedale Elementary - 11, Southwest Middle School - 38 and Corral Drive Elementary - 21.
How many public schools are located in Pennington County?
42 public schools are located in Pennington County.
What percentage of students in Pennington County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Pennington County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public schools minority enrollment is 39% 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 Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pennington County include: Stevens High School - 42 vs. Central High School - 41, Central High School - 41 vs. Stevens High School - 42, New Underwood High School - 01 vs. Douglas High School - 03
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