Average
#273 of 574 schools in SD
Top 47% in state
South Middle School - 36
Middle School · Rapid City Area School District 51-4
2 Indiana St, Rapid City, SD 57701
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rapid City
#2 of 23
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#58 of 144
In district
#2 of 24
Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About South Middle School - 36
South Middle School - 36 is a regular public middle school in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 502 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school benefits from having 41 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting its diverse student body. The academic performance at South Middle School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #311 out of 586 schools in South Dakota.
In ELA/Reading, 37% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 22% meet proficiency standards. Despite these challenges, the school community is committed to student development and providing a supportive learning environment. Located in a small city setting within Pennington County, South Middle School - 36 offers students access to resources and opportunities unique to its neighborhood.
The school's setting provides a close-knit atmosphere where teachers and staff know their students well and work collaboratively with families to foster growth and success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at South Middle School - 36 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Middle School - 36 — Students at South Middle School - 36 score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How South Middle School - 36 Compares
See how South Middle School - 36 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
2 Indiana St, Rapid City, SD 57701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Middle School - 36 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Middle School - 35 (rated 5.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 miNeighborhood 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 South Middle School - 36 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 |
|---|---|
| Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish, SD | 6.4 |
| West Central Middle School - 04 Hartford, SD | 6.5 |
| Tea Area Middle School - 02 Tea, SD | 6.6 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City, SD | 6.2 |
| Dakota Valley Middle School - 03 North Sioux City, SD | 6.1 |
| Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 Harrisburg, SD | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Middle School - 36
What grades does South Middle School - 36 serve?
South Middle School - 36 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Middle School - 36?
South Middle School - 36 has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle School - 36?
The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School - 36 is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Middle School - 36 rank in SD?
South Middle School - 36 is ranked #273 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is South Middle School - 36's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle School - 36 has a composite rating of 6.4 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 South Middle School - 36?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle School - 36 has 22.3% math proficiency and 36.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Middle School - 36 a charter school?
No, South Middle School - 36 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Middle School - 36 a Title I school?
No, South Middle School - 36 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Middle School - 36?
44.0% of students at South Middle School - 36 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
- City Safety
- High (4,515/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rapid City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 394-4024
- 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
- #2 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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