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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pennington County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 3,782 students in Pennington County, SD.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Pennington County, SD are Southwest Middle School - 38, Hill City Middle School - 04 and West Middle School - 37. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, SD public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Middle Schools in Pennington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: 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
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 middle schools in Pennington County, SD?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Pennington County, SD include Southwest Middle School - 38, Hill City Middle School - 04 and West Middle School - 37.
How many public middle schools are located in Pennington County?
12 public middle schools are located in Pennington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public middle schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the South Dakota public middle schools average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Which public middle schools in Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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