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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pennington County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 37 public schools serving 15,928 students in Pennington County, SD (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,909 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Pennington County, SD are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pennington County, SD are Pinedale Elementary - 11, Southwest Middle School - 38 and Corral Drive Elementary - 21. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, SD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public school average of 34% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Pennington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinedale Elementary - 11
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4901 W Chicago St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1805
Gr: K-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Southwest Middle School - 38
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4501 Park Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6792
Gr: 6-8 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Corral Drive Elementary - 21
(Math: 69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3736 Corral Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6789
Gr: K-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10
(Math: 56% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3125 W Flormann St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1821
Gr: K-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #55.
Patriot Elementary -06
(Math: 56% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Gr: PK-3 | 982 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Stevens High School - 42
(Math: 46% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4215 Raider Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
Gr: 9-12 | 1,771 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hill City High School - 01
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
488 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hill City Middle School - 04
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3025
Gr: 6-8 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Douglas High School - 03
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
420 Patriot Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
Gr: 9-12 | 739 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
New Underwood High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Gr: 9-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Wall High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1212.
New Underwood Elementary - 02
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Gr: K-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Wall Elementary - 02
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Gr: K-5 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1414.
West Middle School - 37
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1003 Soo San Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4033
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1515.
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
(Math: 42% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
561 Briggs St
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
Gr: 4-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1616.
Wall Middle School - 06
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Gr: 6-8 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1717.
Central High School - 41
(Math: 24% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
433 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4023
Gr: 9-12 | 1,998 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1818.
Grandview Elementary - 06
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3301 Grandview Dr
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1829
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Hill City Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Gr: PK-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
South Canyon Elementary - 15
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
218 Nordbye Ln
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1801
Gr: K-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2121.
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: #2222.
Rapid City Online High School - 92
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 73:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2323.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
827 Franklin St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1837
Gr: K-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2424.
Douglas Middle School - 01
(Math: 28% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
691 Tower Rd
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
Gr: 6-8 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2525.
Valley View Elementary - 13
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4840 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2812
Gr: K-5 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2626.
East Middle School - 30
(Math: 35% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4860 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 394-4092
Gr: 6-8 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2727.
New Underwood Middle School - 04
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2828.
South Middle School - 36
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2 Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4024
Gr: 6-8 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2929.
South Park Elementary - 16
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
207 Flormann St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1833
Gr: K-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #3030.
Horace Mann Elementary - 07
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
902 Anamosa St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1847
Gr: K-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3131.
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: #3232.
North Middle School - 35
(Math: 15% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1501 N Maple St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4042
Gr: 6-8 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #3333.
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: #3434.
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1701 Downing St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
Gr: K-5 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Jefferson Building - 64
Special Education School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Show 2 more public schools in Pennington County, SD (out of 37 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Pennington County, SD?
The top-ranked public schools in Pennington County, SD include Pinedale Elementary - 11, Southwest Middle School - 38 and Corral Drive Elementary - 21.
How many public schools are located in Pennington County?
41 public schools are located in Pennington County.
What percentage of students in Pennington County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Pennington County are educated in public schools (compared to the SD state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public schools average of 34% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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