Very Good
#184 of 574 schools in SD
Top 32% in state
Southwest Middle School - 38
Middle School · Rapid City Area School District 51-4
4501 Park Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Dakota schools
#184 of 574
In Rapid City
#2 of 23
public schools
In district
#2 of 24
Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Southwest Middle School - 38?
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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Southwest Middle School - 38
Middle School in Rapid City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Corral Drive Elementary - 21
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Middle School - 38
Southwest Middle School - 38 is a public middle school in Rapid City, SD, part of Rapid City Area School District 51-4. Southwest Middle School - 38 serves approximately 665 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Middle School - 38 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #184 of 574 schools in SD.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Middle School - 38 show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 4.9
- SD avg 6.0
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Middle School - 38 — Students at Southwest Middle School - 38 score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.1%
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: 8.2/10.
How Southwest Middle School - 38 Compares
See how Southwest Middle School - 38 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
4501 Park Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Middle School - 38 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is West Middle School - 37 (rated 5.1/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, South Middle School - 36 (rated 3.4/10, 3.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City | 2.2 mi | 3.6 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| West Middle School - 37 Rapid City | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI Rapid City | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| South Canyon Elementary - 15 Rapid City | 3.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Building - 44 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | — |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 Rapid City | 3.1 mi | 3.2 |
| ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rapid City | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Rapid City Online High School - 92 Rapid City | 3.6 mi | 3.4 |
| South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Grandview Elementary - 06 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| South Middle School - 36 Rapid City | 3.5 mi | 3.4 |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Central High School - 41 Rapid City | 4.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City | 4.1 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon, SD | 7.2 |
| Holgate Middle School - 02 Aberdeen, SD | 7.0 |
| Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 Harrisburg, SD | 7.5 |
| Watertown Intermediate School - 13 Watertown, SD | 7.6 |
| Yankton Middle School - 02 Yankton, SD | 7.6 |
| Tea Area Middle School - 02 Tea, SD | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Middle School - 38
What grades does Southwest Middle School - 38 serve?
Southwest Middle School - 38 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest Middle School - 38?
Southwest Middle School - 38 has an enrollment of approximately 665 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School - 38?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School - 38 is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Middle School - 38 rank in SD?
Southwest Middle School - 38 ranks #184 of 574 schools in SD.
What is Southwest Middle School - 38's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle School - 38 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Southwest Middle School - 38?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Middle School - 38 has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Southwest Middle School - 38 a charter school?
No, Southwest Middle School - 38 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Middle School - 38 a Title I school?
No, Southwest Middle School - 38 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Middle School - 38?
11.1% of students at Southwest Middle School - 38 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
- 665
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Pennington County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.0%
- Phone
- (605) 394-6792
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
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