For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 2,959 students in Rapid City, SD.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Rapid City, SD are Southwest Middle School - 38, West Middle School - 37 and East Middle School - 30. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rapid City, SD public middle schools 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). Middle schools in Rapid City have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public middle schools.
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).
Best Public Middle Schools in Rapid City, SD (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%
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 middle schools in Rapid City, SD?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Rapid City, SD include Southwest Middle School - 38, West Middle School - 37 and East Middle School - 30.
How many public middle schools are located in Rapid City?
7 public middle schools are located in Rapid City.
What is the racial composition of students in Rapid City?
Rapid City public middle schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public middle schools average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Which public middle schools in Rapid City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Rapid City include: North Middle School - 35 vs. South Middle School - 36, West Middle School - 37 vs. Southwest Middle School - 38, East Middle School - 30 vs. South Middle School - 36
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