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)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinedale Elementary - 11
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4901 W Chicago St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1805
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:
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: #33.
Corral Drive Elementary - 21
(Math: 69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3736 Corral Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-6789
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:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3125 W Flormann St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1821
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:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4215 Raider Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-4051
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
488 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3000
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3025
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
420 Patriot Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0030
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
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:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
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:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
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:
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: #1515.
Vandenberg Elementary - 02
(Math: 42% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
561 Briggs St
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0060
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
433 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4023
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3301 Grandview Dr
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1829
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
218 Nordbye Ln
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1801
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
625 9th St Ste 208
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
827 Franklin St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1837
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
691 Tower Rd
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0050
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4840 Homestead St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2812
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:
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: #2727.
New Underwood Middle School - 04
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 E Ash St
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
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:
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: #2929.
South Park Elementary - 16
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
207 Flormann St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1833
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:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
902 Anamosa St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1847
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:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
424 E Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
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:
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: #3333.
General Beadle Elementary - 01
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
10 Van Buren St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
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:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Downing St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1851
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
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?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pennington County include: Stevens High School - 42 vs. Central High School - 41, Central High School - 41 vs. Stevens High School - 42, New Underwood High School - 01 vs. Douglas High School - 03
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