For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 5,024 students in Pennington County, SD.
The top ranked public high schools in Pennington County, SD are New Underwood High School - 01, Stevens High School - 42 and Rapid City Online High School - 92. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, SD public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the South Dakota public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 63% statewide average). High schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public high schools.
Pennington County, SD public high school have a Graduation Rate of 78%, which is less than the South Dakota average of 81%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Hill City High School - 01, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public high school average of 35% (majority American Indian).
Best Public High Schools in Pennington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Jefferson Building - 64
Special Education School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Grades: PK-12
| 35 students
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
Grades: 12
| 29 students
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
Grades: 1-12
| 11 students
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 high schools in Pennington County, SD?
The top ranked public high schools in Pennington County, SD include New Underwood High School - 01, Stevens High School - 42 and Rapid City Online High School - 92.
How many public high schools are located in Pennington County?
10 public high schools are located in Pennington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public high schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public high schools average of 35% (majority American Indian).
Which public high schools in Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high 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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