For the 2025 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 12,145 students in Rapid City, SD (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,062 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Rapid City, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Rapid City, 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.
Rapid City, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Rapid City have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% 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 Rapid City, SD (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.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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
Rank: #2323.
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: #2424.
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Downing St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Grades: K-5
| 357 students
Rank: #2525.
Horace Mann Elementary - 07
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
902 Anamosa St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1847
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1847
Grades: K-5
| 293 students
Rank: n/an/a
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Grades: K
| 14 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
Rapid City, South Dakota 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
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
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
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 Rapid City, SD?
The top ranked public schools in Rapid City, SD include Pinedale Elementary - 11, Southwest Middle School - 38 and Corral Drive Elementary - 21.
How many public schools are located in Rapid City?
28 public schools are located in Rapid City.
What percentage of students in Rapid City go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Rapid City are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rapid City?
Rapid City public schools minority enrollment is 41% 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 Rapid City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rapid City include: Stevens High School - 42 vs. Central High School - 41, Central High School - 41 vs. Stevens High School - 42, West Middle School - 37 vs. Southwest Middle School - 38
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.