Average
#303 of 574 schools in SD
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
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rapid City
#3 of 23
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#67 of 144
In district
#3 of 24
Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest Middle School - 38
Southwest Middle School - 38 is a regular public school in Rapid City, South Dakota, located at 4501 Park Dr. Serving students in grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 665 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Southwest Middle School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its middle school students.
The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 6.6 out of 10, reflecting strong academic performance in reading and math. According to state standards, 71% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 60% meet proficiency levels in mathematics. These scores indicate that the school has room for improvement but also demonstrates solid educational outcomes.
Southwest Middle School is situated in a small city setting within Pennington County and is part of an active community in Rapid City. The area offers students access to local amenities and resources, enhancing their overall learning experience.
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: 54%).
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 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: 5.9/10.
How Southwest Middle School - 38 Compares
See how Southwest Middle School - 38 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 70% (2022).
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 very similar rating. Another option is South Middle School - 36 (rated 6.4/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Middle School - 37 (rated 5.2/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| West Middle School - 37 Rapid City | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI Rapid City | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| South Canyon Elementary - 15 Rapid City | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincoln Building - 44 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | — |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 Rapid City | 3.1 mi | 4.7 |
| ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rapid City | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Rapid City Online High School - 92 Rapid City | 3.6 mi | 5.5 |
| South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Grandview Elementary - 06 Rapid City | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| South Middle School - 36 Rapid City | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Central High School - 41 Rapid City | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Middle School - 38 has a median household income of $85,700. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,400, with a median rent of $1,209/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon, SD | 6.2 |
| Harrisburg South Middle School - 03 Harrisburg, SD | 6.1 |
| Watertown Middle School - 02 Watertown, SD | 6.1 |
| South Middle School - 36 Rapid City, SD | 6.4 |
| Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish, SD | 6.4 |
| Brandon Valley Middle School - 02 Brandon, 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 is ranked #303 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Southwest Middle School - 38's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle School - 38 has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Southwest Middle School - 38?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Middle School - 38 has 60.3% math proficiency and 71.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 665
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 394-6792
- 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
- #3 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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