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
Enrollment
2,020
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Central High School - 41 — Students at Central High School - 41 score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (605) 394-4023
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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