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Average

#29 of 56 private schools in SD

Top 50% of private schools

St Thomas More Middle School

Middle School

424 FAIRMONT BLVD, Rapid City, SD 57701

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 22 schools in Rapid City. Learn more

Enrollment

164

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Rapid City

#4 of 9

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#3 of 3

About St Thomas More Middle School

St Thomas More Middle School serves 164 students in grades 6-8 in Rapid City, South Dakota. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks 34th among the state's 56 middle schools.

This solid performance places St Thomas More in the middle tier of South Dakota's middle schools, indicating steady academic programming for students during these crucial transitional years. Located on Fairmont Boulevard, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $52,255 and nearly three in ten adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of working families, with median home values around $206,700 in this ZIP code of over 45,000 residents.

As a regular public middle school, St Thomas More provides students with the foundational education needed to prepare for high school. The smaller class sizes, enabled by the low student-teacher ratio, create opportunities for teachers to work closely with students during these important developmental years. The school operates within Rapid City's small city environment, offering students access to both educational resources and community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 164 students, St Thomas More Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, St Thomas More Middle School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Thomas More Middle School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Rapid City, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
This School
vs
12.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
164
This School
vs
415
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.5
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 92.7% vs 0%
White 6.1% vs 0%
Asian 1.2% vs 0%
St Thomas More Middle School Rapid City Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
St Thomas More Middle School (this school) 6.5
South Middle School - 36 6.4
Jefferson Building - 64 6.9
Wellfully - 65
West Middle School - 37 5.2
North Middle School - 35 5.8
Southwest Middle School - 38 6.2
East Middle School - 30 5.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,290
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 14%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 164
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 92.7%
White 6.1%
Asian 1.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

424 FAIRMONT BLVD, Rapid City, SD 57701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Thomas More Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. South Middle School - 36 (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Middle School - 35 (rated 5.8/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City 0.4 mi 5.0
South Middle School - 36 Rapid City 0.5 mi 6.4
Grandview Elementary - 06 Rapid City 0.6 mi 4.9
Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 Rapid City 0.8 mi 4.7
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 Rapid City 0.9 mi 4.6
Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City 1.3 mi 6.9
Rapid City Online High School - 92 Rapid City 1.5 mi 5.5
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 1.2 mi 4.5
Lincoln Building - 44 Rapid City 1.6 mi
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 1.7 mi 5.6
Central High School - 41 Rapid City 2.0 mi 4.0
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 1.9 mi 5.9
Wellfully - 65 Rapid City 1.9 mi
General Beadle Elementary - 01 Rapid City 2.4 mi 4.5
Horace Mann Elementary - 07 Rapid City 2.6 mi 3.8
North Middle School - 35 Rapid City 2.8 mi 5.8
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City 2.2 mi 5.5
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 Rapid City 3.0 mi 4.8
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 2.5 mi 7.1
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City 2.6 mi 4.6

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 St Thomas More Middle School 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
Canton Middle School - 04 Canton, SD 6.3
Hill City Middle School - 04 Hill City, SD 6.7
Hot Springs Middle School - 06 Hot Springs, SD 6.3
Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Viborg, SD 6.3
Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer, SD 6.9
Webster Area Middle School - 02 Webster, SD 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Thomas More Middle School

What grades does St Thomas More Middle School serve?

St Thomas More Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend St Thomas More Middle School?

St Thomas More Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Thomas More Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Thomas More Middle School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Thomas More Middle School rank in SD?

St Thomas More Middle School is ranked #29 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is St Thomas More Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Thomas More Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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.

Is St Thomas More Middle School a private school?

Yes, St Thomas More Middle School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Thomas More Middle School a religious school?

St Thomas More Middle School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,515/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rapid City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
164
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Small City
County
PENNINGTON
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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