For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 3,970 students in Rapid City, SD.
The top-ranked public high schools in Rapid City, SD are Stevens High School - 42, Central High School - 41 and Rapid City Online High School - 92. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rapid City, SD public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the South Dakota public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 63% statewide average). High schools in Rapid City have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public high schools.
Rapid City, SD public high school have a Graduation Rate of 77%, which is less than the South Dakota average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Stevens High School - 42, with 90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public high school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Best Public High Schools in Rapid City, SD (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Stevens High School - 42
(Math: 46% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4215 Raider Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Gr: 9-12 | 1,771 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Central High School - 41
(Math: 24% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
433 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4023
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4023
Gr: 9-12 | 1,998 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #33.
Rapid City Online High School - 92
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 73:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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
Lincoln Building - 44
Special Education School
851 West St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: 12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
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%
Rapid City, South Dakota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
9th Grade Academy - 72 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
1315 Quincy St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-3553
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-3553
Gr: 9-10 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Alternative Education Center - 73 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 62:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Career Learning Center - 71 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
730 East Watertown
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Gr: 9-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Kibben-kuster - 52 (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
3302 West St Cloud St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rapid City High School - 45 (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
601 Columbus St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Virtual School - 74 (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
21 St Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 6-12 | 1 student
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Rapid City, SD?
The top-ranked public high schools in Rapid City, SD include Stevens High School - 42, Central High School - 41 and Rapid City Online High School - 92.
How many public high schools are located in Rapid City?
6 public high schools are located in Rapid City.
What is the racial composition of students in Rapid City?
Rapid City public high schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public high schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Which public high schools in Rapid City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Rapid City include: Lincoln Building - 44 vs. Jefferson Building - 64, Stevens High School - 42 vs. Central High School - 41, Central High School - 41 vs. Stevens High School - 42
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.