Pennington County Schools & Education
Pennington County, South Dakota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
15/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
79.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
79.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,272
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,409
School Score
15/100
Higher = better
State avg 38/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#57
of 65 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Pennington County
School Verdict
Pennington County faces educational challenges with a school score of 15/100 and a graduation rate of 79.3%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,272 per pupil, Pennington County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Pennington County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 61% below the South Dakota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 3.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Pennington County, South Dakota
Rapid City's Expansive Educational Infrastructure
Pennington County manages a large-scale network of 41 public schools across five districts, serving 16,190 students. The system is well-balanced with 20 elementary, nine middle, and nine high schools, plus several specialized alternative facilities.
Investing in Scale and Student Results
The county maintains a graduation rate of 79.3%, approaching the state average of 82.4%. Per-pupil spending of $6,272 is lower than the state's $7,409 average, yet the county achieves a school score of 46.3, close to the state median.
Rapid City Area and Douglas Districts
The Rapid City Area School District 51-4 is the region's powerhouse, overseeing 27 schools and 12,743 students. Douglas School District 51-1 follows with five schools and 2,750 students, and notably, the county hosts zero charter schools.
Urban Centers Meet Rural Outposts
This county offers a unique mix of 23 city schools and 12 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 415 students. Central High School is the largest campus with 1,768 students, providing a stark contrast to the smaller rural schools found in the outlying districts.
Discover Homes Near Top Pennington Schools
With a wide variety of urban and rural neighborhoods, families can find homes that fit their preferred school size and locale. Prioritizing school quality in your home search can help ensure long-term value and educational satisfaction.
School Overview
Total Schools
41
in Pennington County
Total Enrollment
16,190
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Pennington County
Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Douglas School District 51-1
Hill City School District 51-2
New Underwood School District 51-3
Wall School District 51-5
41 Public Schools in Pennington County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central High School - 41 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 9–12 | High | 1,768 |
| Stevens High School - 42 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 9–12 | High | 1,686 |
| Patriot Elementary -06 | Douglas School District 51-1 | KG–3 | Primary | 890 |
| Douglas High School - 03 | Douglas School District 51-1 | 9–12 | High | 749 |
| Douglas Middle School - 01 | Douglas School District 51-1 | 6–8 | Middle | 670 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 6–8 | Middle | 660 |
| West Middle School - 37 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 6–8 | Middle | 612 |
| East Middle School - 30 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 6–8 | Middle | 600 |
| Valley View Elementary - 13 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | KG–5 | Primary | 581 |
| South Middle School - 36 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 6–8 | Middle | 553 |
| Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | PK–5 | Primary | 514 |
| North Middle School - 35 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | 6–8 | Middle | 513 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | KG–5 | Primary | 464 |
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | KG–5 | Primary | 461 |
| General Beadle Elementary - 01 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | PK–5 | Primary | 444 |
| Vandenberg Elementary - 02 | Douglas School District 51-1 | 4–5 | Primary | 441 |
| Grandview Elementary - 06 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | KG–5 | Primary | 406 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | KG–5 | Primary | 365 |
| Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | PK–5 | Primary | 359 |
| Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 | Rapid City Area School District 51-4 | KG–5 | Primary | 357 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,272
State avg $7,409
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Pennington County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Pennington County?
How much does Pennington County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pennington County, South Dakota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pennington County, South Dakota?
Pennington County manages a large-scale network of 41 public schools across five districts, serving 16,190 students. The system is well-balanced with 20 elementary, nine middle, and nine high schools, plus several specialized alternative facilities.
How do schools in Pennington County perform academically?
The county maintains a graduation rate of 79.3%, approaching the state average of 82.4%. Per-pupil spending of $6,272 is lower than the state's $7,409 average, yet the county achieves a school score of 46.3, close to the state median.
What are the major school districts in Pennington County, South Dakota?
The Rapid City Area School District 51-4 is the region's powerhouse, overseeing 27 schools and 12,743 students. Douglas School District 51-1 follows with five schools and 2,750 students, and notably, the county hosts zero charter schools.
What is the school experience like in Pennington County?
This county offers a unique mix of 23 city schools and 12 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 415 students. Central High School is the largest campus with 1,768 students, providing a stark contrast to the smaller rural schools found in the outlying districts.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pennington County, South Dakota?
With a wide variety of urban and rural neighborhoods, families can find homes that fit their preferred school size and locale. Prioritizing school quality in your home search can help ensure long-term value and educational satisfaction.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.