📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
8 Rated Districts in the Rapid City, SD Metro Area
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among South Dakota districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hill City School District 51-2 | Hill City | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #2 | Meade School District 46-1 | Sturgis | 7/10 Good | 63rd |
| #3 | Wall School District 51-5 | Wall | 6/10 Average | 53rd |
| #4 | Custer School District 16-1 | Custer | 5/10 Average | 44th |
| #5 | Douglas School District 51-1 | Box Elder | 5/10 Average | 41st |
| #6 | Faith School District 46-2 | Faith | 4/10 Below Average | 39th |
| #7 | New Underwood School District 51-3 | New Underwood | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
| #8 | Rapid City School District 51-4 | Rapid City | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
Best School Districts in the Rapid City, SD Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from EDFacts 2021–22 (South Dakota) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Rapid City, SD metro area? ▼
Among the 8 rated districts in the Rapid City, SD metro area, the highest-rated is Hill City School District 51-2 (Hill City), rated 7/10 (Good) and in the 66th percentile of South Dakota districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.