Needs Improvement
#543 of 574 schools in SD
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
3.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
3.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#543 of 574
In Rapid City
#17 of 23
public schools
In district
#17 of 24
Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Shortlisting around South Middle School - 36?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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South Middle School - 36
Middle School in Rapid City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South Park Elementary - 16
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Middle School - 36
South Middle School - 36 is a public middle school in Rapid City, SD, part of Rapid City Area School District 51-4. South Middle School - 36 serves approximately 502 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Middle School - 36 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #543 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for South Middle School - 36 show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- SD avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
45% of students at South Middle School - 36 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 28 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: 2.9/10.
How South Middle School - 36 Compares
See how South Middle School - 36 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Middle School - 35 (rated 4.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Stagebarn Middle School - 10 Summerset, SD | 3.4 |
| North Middle School - 35 Rapid City, SD | 4.1 |
| Todd County Middle School - 10 Mission, SD | 4.3 |
| Simmons Middle School - 03 Aberdeen, SD | 4.6 |
| East Middle School - 30 Rapid City, SD | 4.7 |
| West Central Middle School - 04 Hartford, SD | 4.7 |
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 ranks #543 of 574 schools in SD.
What is South Middle School - 36's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle School - 36 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Middle School - 36?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Middle School - 36 has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.6%
- Phone
- (605) 394-4024
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
- #17 of 24
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