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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pennington County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 1,834 students in Pennington County, SD.
The top-ranked public preschools in Pennington County, SD are Patriot Elementary -06, Hill City Elementary - 02 and Rapid Valley Elementary - 12. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, SD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Pennington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: 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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Pennington County, SD?
The top-ranked public preschools in Pennington County, SD include Patriot Elementary -06, Hill City Elementary - 02 and Rapid Valley Elementary - 12.
How many public preschools are located in Pennington County?
8 public preschools are located in Pennington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public preschools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschools average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).

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