For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 5,024 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 1,763 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
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 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
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 | 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:
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 | 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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 S Blvd W
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
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:
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 | 2,020 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #77.
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 | 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
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
Lincoln Building - 44
Special Education School
851 West St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Gr: 12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Wellfully - 65
Alternative School
22 Waterloo St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 1-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
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
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
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4048
Gr: 9-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 62:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
401 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Gr: K-1 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Career Learning Center - 71 (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
730 East Watertown
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6718
Gr: 9-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
420 Patriot Drive
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Gr: 9-12 | 703 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
441 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0070
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
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1813
Gr: PK-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Po Box 128
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
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
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
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?
10 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?
Popular comparisons of public high 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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