Rapid City Area School District 51-4

625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%

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 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.
This School District
State Average (SD)
#109 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
37%
42%
46%
51%
38%
42%
71%
82%
(2022-23)
34.8%
22.5%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.61
0.53
% American Indian
17%
13%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
11%
10%
% Black
1%
4%
% White
58%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,819 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,053. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,825 is less than the state median of $12,557. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
This School District
This State (SD)
Total Revenue
$158 MM
$1,916 MM
Spending
$146 MM
$1,844 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,819
$13,053
Spending / Student
$11,825
$12,557

Best Rapid City Area School District 51-4 Public Preschools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2601 Covington St
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:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
424 E Indiana St
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:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
10 Van Buren St
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
Gr: PK-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 51%

Recent Articles

Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 25 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 12,313 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 42%
  • : 71% (Top 30% in SD)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 37% (Btm 50%)
  • : 46% (Btm 50%)
  • : 38% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SD Dept. of Education

Quick Links