Excellent
#3 of 56 private schools in SD
Top 4% of private schools
Black Hills Children's Home
Elementary School
24100 S ROCKERVILLE RD, Rapid City, SD 57702
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 22 schools in Rapid City. Learn more
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
6.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
6.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Rapid City
#1 of 9
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#1 of 33
About Black Hills Children's Home
Black Hills Children's Home serves 36 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in a unique educational setting along South Rockerville Road in Rapid City. This regular public elementary school maintains an exceptionally small learning environment with just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate 6.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for highly individualized attention. The school has earned recognition for its educational quality, receiving a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 19th among South Dakota's 56 elementary schools, placing it in the 68th percentile statewide.
This strong performance reflects the benefits of the school's personalized approach to education, where each student can receive focused support and guidance. The school draws from a well-educated community in the 57702 area, where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $81,537. With a low poverty rate of just 5.1% and median home values of $320,300, the surrounding neighborhood provides a stable foundation for families.
Black Hills Children's Home operates in a rural setting that offers students a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions, fostering close-knit relationships between students, teachers, and families in the greater Rapid City area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 36 students, Black Hills Children's Home is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1, Black Hills Children's Home offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Black Hills Children's Home operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Black Hills Children's Home compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Rapid City, SD
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Black Hills Children's Home (this school) | 8.2 |
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 | 5.1 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 | 6.2 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 | 5.5 |
| Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 | 4.6 |
| West Middle School - 37 | 5.2 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 | 5.7 |
| Grandview Elementary - 06 | 4.9 |
| South Canyon Elementary - 15 | 4.6 |
| South Park Elementary - 16 | 5.0 |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 | 4.7 |
| South Middle School - 36 | 6.4 |
| Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 | 4.6 |
| Jefferson Building - 64 | 6.9 |
| Wellfully - 65 | — |
| Horace Mann Elementary - 07 | 3.8 |
| General Beadle Elementary - 01 | 4.5 |
| North Middle School - 35 | 5.8 |
| Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 | 5.6 |
| Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 | 4.8 |
| Valley View Elementary - 13 | 3.9 |
Showing 20 of 21 schools. View all schools in Rapid City
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in SD
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
24100 S ROCKERVILLE RD, Rapid City, SD 57702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Black Hills Children's Home may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 14.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 11.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pinedale Elementary - 11 (rated 5.7/10, 12.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,700
Median Home Value
$341,400
Median Rent
$1,209/mo
Population
35,771
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
72.6%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Black Hills Children's Home has a median household income of $85,700. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,400, with a median rent of $1,209/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blumengard Colony Elementary - 06 Faulkton, SD | 8.2 |
| Hutterische Colony Elementary - 18 Tabor, SD | 8.1 |
| Pembrook Colony Elementary - 06 Ipswich, SD | 8.1 |
| SAPA UN CATHOLIC ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Saint Francis, SD | 8.1 |
| Thunderbird Colony Elementary - 10 Faulkton, SD | 8.3 |
| Springfield Elementary - 03 Springfield, SD | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Black Hills Children's Home
What grades does Black Hills Children's Home serve?
Black Hills Children's Home serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Black Hills Children's Home?
Black Hills Children's Home has an enrollment of approximately 36 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Black Hills Children's Home?
The student-teacher ratio at Black Hills Children's Home is 6.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Black Hills Children's Home rank in SD?
Black Hills Children's Home is ranked #3 out of 56 private schools in SD.
What is Black Hills Children's Home's MySchoolScout rating?
Black Hills Children's Home has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Black Hills Children's Home a private school?
Yes, Black Hills Children's Home is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Black Hills Children's Home a religious school?
No, Black Hills Children's Home is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 36
- Gender Split
- 81% M / 19% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 239 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- PENNINGTON
- Phone
- (605) 343-5422
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.