Best Schools in Rapid City, South Dakota
35 schools · 21 Elementary · 7 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $74,309
- Median home value
- $273,867
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
6% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rapid City compares
South Dakota rank
#110 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below South Dakota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
106% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
32
About Schools in Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota is home to 35 schools, including 25 public schools and 10 private schools. The city's schools span 21 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Rapid City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Rapid City is Black Hills Children's Home with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rapid City is served by 1 school district: Rapid City Area School District 51-4. These districts collectively serve 12,432 students.
Rapid City's community shows 32% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,309. The poverty rate in the area is 11.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
21 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 363 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 2 | 487 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 3 | 454 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 4 | 467 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 5 | 285 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 6 | 409 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 357 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 8 | 287 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.7 | ||
| 9 | 259 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 10 | 297 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 11 | 324 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 12 | 441 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 13 | 584 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
| 14 | 293 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.8 | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME
Private
36 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
127 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL
Private
307 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
180 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Private
129 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI
Private
34 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Private
120 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 502 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 2 | 665 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 480 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 611 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 5 | 603 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Private
164 students · 6th–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 18 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,763 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 2,020 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 4 | 29 students · 12th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | RAPID CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
357 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 11 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Rapid City
Rapid City, South Dakota · 35 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$74,309
Median Home Value
$273,867
Median Rent
$1,165/mo
Population
98,535
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Community Profile
Rapid City has a median household income of $74,309. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,867, with a median rent of $1,165/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- South Dakota
- Total Schools
- 35
- Elementary
- 21
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 5
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 5.4/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in South Dakota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Rapid City, South Dakota
How many schools are in Rapid City, South Dakota?
Rapid City has 35 schools, including 25 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rapid City is 5.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Rapid City on MySchoolScout is Black Hills Children's Home with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rapid City on MySchoolScout is Black Hills Children's Home with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Rapid City on MySchoolScout is St Thomas More Middle School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Rapid City on MySchoolScout is Rapid City Online High School - 92 with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Rapid City, South Dakota?
Rapid City is served by 1 school district: Rapid City Area School District 51-4.
What is the education level in Rapid City, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Rapid City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The median household income in Rapid City is approximately $74,309 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rapid City, South Dakota?
Yes, Rapid City has 10 private schools alongside 25 public schools. The top-rated private school is Black Hills Children's Home with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rapid City is 14.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rapid City, South Dakota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, South Dakota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.