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Below Average

#544 of 574 schools in SD

Central High School - 41

High School · Rapid City Area School District 51-4

433 Mt Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD 57701

Enrollment

2,020

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rapid City

#21 of 23

public schools

South Dakota high schools

#150 of 156

In district

#21 of 24

Rapid City Area School District 51-4

About Central High School - 41

Central High School - 41 serves 2,020 students in grades 9-12 in Rapid City, making it one of the larger high schools in South Dakota. With 119 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive public high school. Academically, the school has room for growth, with students showing stronger performance in English Language Arts where 57% achieve proficiency or above, while mathematics presents more challenges with 27% reaching proficiency standards.

The school ranks in the 25th percentile statewide at #439 out of 586 South Dakota high schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support. Located on Mt Rushmore Road, Central High School - 41 sits in the heart of Rapid City's 57701 ZIP code area, a community of over 45,000 residents with a median household income of $52,255. The neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 19.1%.

Median home values of $206,700 suggest a stable residential area. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this small city setting, drawing from Rapid City's diverse community near the scenic Black Hills region of western South Dakota.

What Parents Should Know

Central High School - 41 is a large school with 2,020 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness2.3Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,191

Central High School - 41 — Students at Central High School - 41 score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
40%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
57%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How Central High School - 41 Compares

See how Central High School - 41 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in SD
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
119 teachers

Location

433 Mt Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD 57701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School - 41 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jefferson Building - 64 (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Middle School - 36 (rated 6.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Rapid City Online High School - 92 Rapid City 0.6 mi 5.5
Horace Mann Elementary - 07 Rapid City 0.6 mi 3.8
Lincoln Building - 44 Rapid City 0.8 mi
Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City 1.0 mi 6.9
General Beadle Elementary - 01 Rapid City 0.9 mi 4.5
Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 Rapid City 1.3 mi 4.7
North Middle School - 35 Rapid City 1.1 mi 5.8
South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City 1.7 mi 5.0
Wellfully - 65 Rapid City 1.3 mi
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 Rapid City 1.4 mi 4.8
South Middle School - 36 Rapid City 1.9 mi 6.4
ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rapid City 2.0 mi 6.5
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 Rapid City 2.1 mi 4.6
Grandview Elementary - 06 Rapid City 2.5 mi 4.9
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 2.8 mi 4.5
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City 2.7 mi 5.5
West Middle School - 37 Rapid City 2.5 mi 5.2
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI Rapid City 2.4 mi 4.7
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City 2.6 mi 4.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 3.5 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,733

Median Home Value

$229,900

Median Rent

$892/mo

Population

45,221

College Educated

28.2%

Homeownership

59.4%

Avg Commute

17.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High School - 41 has a median household income of $52,733. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,900, with a median rent of $892/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Watertown High School - 01 Watertown, SD 4.2
Jefferson High School - 67 Sioux Falls, SD 4.7
Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City, SD 4.8
Roosevelt High School - 03 Sioux Falls, SD 5.1
Washington High School - 01 Sioux Falls, SD 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High School - 41

What grades does Central High School - 41 serve?

Central High School - 41 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central High School - 41?

Central High School - 41 has an enrollment of approximately 2,020 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School - 41?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School - 41 is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central High School - 41 rank in SD?

Central High School - 41 is ranked #544 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Central High School - 41's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School - 41 has a composite rating of 4.0 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.

What are the test scores at Central High School - 41?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School - 41 has 34.0% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central High School - 41 a charter school?

No, Central High School - 41 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central High School - 41 a Title I school?

No, Central High School - 41 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High School - 41?

31.6% of students at Central High School - 41 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,515/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rapid City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,020
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
119
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Pennington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rapid City Area School District 51-4
District Enrollment
12,432
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,380
District Rank
#21 of 24

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 methodology

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