📊 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 →
All 5 Rated Districts in Pennington County, SD
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hill City School District 51-2 | Hill City | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #2 | Wall School District 51-5 | Wall | 6/10 Average | 53rd |
| #3 | Douglas School District 51-1 | Box Elder | 5/10 Average | 41st |
| #4 | New Underwood School District 51-3 | New Underwood | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
| #5 | Rapid City School District 51-4 | Rapid City | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
Best School Districts in Pennington County, South Dakota (2026)
This page lists the 5 public school districts headquartered in Pennington County, South Dakota that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using EDFacts 2021–22 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in South Dakota, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Pennington County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Pennington County, South Dakota? ▼
Among the 5 rated districts in Pennington County, South Dakota, 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 (EDFacts 2021–22), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in South Dakota and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.