Top Rankings
Rapid City Area School District 51-4 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 1,598 students in Rapid City Area School District 51-4. This district's average pre testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in South Dakota.
Public Preschools in Rapid City Area School District 51-4 have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
29 Schools
146 Schools
# Students
12,485 Students
30,673 Students
# Teachers
802 Teachers
2,365 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
District Rank
Rapid City Area School District 51-4, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 70% has decreased from 75% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#109 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
42%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
51%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
42%

Graduation Rate
70%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.60
0.54
# American Indian Students
2,069 Students
4,061 Students
% American Indian Students
17%
13%
# Asian Students
155 Students
393 Students
% Asian Students
1%
1%
# Hispanic Students
1,272 Students
2,670 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
9%
# Black Students
127 Students
1,561 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
7,396 Students
20,183 Students
% White Students
59%
66%
# Hawaiian Students
10 Students
34 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,456 Students
1,771 Students
% of Two or more races Students
12%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
96
3,169
# Students in K Grade:
902
5,257
# Students in 1st Grade:
888
4,537
# Students in 2nd Grade:
986
4,500
# Students in 3rd Grade:
910
4,204
# Students in 4th Grade:
925
4,421
# Students in 5th Grade:
1,011
3,746
# Students in 6th Grade:
967
451
# Students in 7th Grade:
910
182
# Students in 8th Grade:
1,003
206
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,253
-
# Students in 10th Grade:
982
-
# Students in 11th Grade:
867
-
# Students in 12th Grade:
785
-
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,642 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,662 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$158 MM
$1,916 MM

Spending
$146 MM
$1,844 MM

Revenue / Student
$12,642
$13,121

Spending / Student
$11,662
$12,623

Best Rapid City Area School District 51-4 Public Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #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: #44.
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: #55.
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
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Grades: K
| 14 students
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.