Top Rankings
Rapid City Area School District 51-4 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 2,959 students in Rapid City Area School District 51-4. This district's average middle testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in South Dakota.
Public Middle Schools in Rapid City Area School District 51-4 have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
25 Schools
292 Schools
# Students
12,313 Students
39,746 Students
# Teachers
768 Teachers
2,943 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Rapid City Area School District 51-4, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 71% has decreased from 75% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#109 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
42%
Graduation Rate
71%
84%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)34.8%
22.5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.60
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% American Indian
17%
26%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% Asian
1%
1%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% Hispanic
11%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 29-year historical data
% Black
1%
3%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% White
58%
58%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,739 is higher than the state median of $14,736. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,404 is less than the state median of $15,173. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$182 MM
$2,163 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending
$165 MM
$2,227 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$14,739
$14,736
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$13,404
$15,173
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Rapid City Area School District 51-4 Public Middle Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southwest Middle School - 38
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4501 Park Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Gr: 6-8 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
West Middle School - 37
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1003 Soo San Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4033
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4033
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
East Middle School - 30
(Math: 35% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4860 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 394-4092
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 394-4092
Gr: 6-8 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #44.
South Middle School - 36
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2 Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4024
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4024
Gr: 6-8 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #55.
North Middle School - 35
(Math: 15% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1501 N Maple St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4042
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4042
Gr: 6-8 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Jefferson Building - 64
Special Education School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: n/an/a
Wellfully - 65
Alternative School
22 Waterloo St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 1-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
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