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 4 public preschools serving 1,395 students in Rapid City Area School District 51-4. This district's average pre testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in South Dakota.
Public Preschools in Rapid City Area School District 51-4 have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
25 Schools
148 Schools
# Students
12,313 Students
32,407 Students
# Teachers
768 Teachers
2,479 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
0.53
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% American Indian
17%
13%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% Asian
1%
1%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% Hispanic
11%
10%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 29-year historical data
% Black
1%
4%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% White
58%
66%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 31-year historical data
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
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 Preschools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Gr: PK-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
424 E Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
Gr: PK-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #33.
General Beadle Elementary - 01
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
10 Van Buren St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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%
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