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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pennington County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 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 35% (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 | 1,763 student 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 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
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 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
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 | 2,020 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
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 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
Jefferson Building - 64
Special Education School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Wellfully - 65
Alternative School
22 Waterloo St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 1-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Pennington County, SD

Pennington County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
9th Grade Academy - 72 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
1315 Quincy St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-3553
Gr: 9-10 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Alternative Education Center - 73 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 62:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Badger Clark Elementary - 05 (Closed 2018)
401 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Gr: K-1 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Big White Elementary - 08 (Closed 2024)
19910 222nd St
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Gr: K-6
Career Learning Center - 71 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
730 East Watertown
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Gr: 9-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Douglas Preschool (Closed 2023)
420 Patriot Drive
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Gr: 9-12 | 703 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Francis Case Elementary - 04 (Closed 2018)
441 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0070
Gr: 2-3 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Kibben-kuster - 52 (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
3302 West St Cloud St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Lincoln Building - 44 (Closed 2025)
Special Education School
851 West St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: 12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
New Underwood Junior High School (Closed 2023)
Po Box 128
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Gr: 7-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rapid City High School - 45 (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
601 Columbus St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Virtual School - 74 (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
21 St Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 6-12 | 1 student

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 35% (majority American Indian).
Which public high schools in Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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