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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pennington County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 4,995 students in Pennington County, SD.
The top-ranked public high schools in Pennington County, SD are Stevens High School - 42, Hill City High School - 01 and Douglas High School - 03. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, SD public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the South Dakota public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 63% statewide average). High schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public high schools.
Pennington County, SD public high school have a Graduation Rate of 79%, which is less than the South Dakota average of 82%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Hill City High School - 01, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Dakota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public high school average of 36% (majority American Indian).

Best Public High Schools in Pennington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: 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%
Rank: n/an/a
Lincoln Building - 44
Special Education School
851 West St
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
Gr: 1-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 57%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Pennington County, SD?
The top-ranked public high schools in Pennington County, SD include Stevens High School - 42, Hill City High School - 01 and Douglas High School - 03.
How many public high schools are located in Pennington County?
9 public high schools are located in Pennington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public high schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public high schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Which public high schools in Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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