For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 1,834 students in Pennington County, SD.
The top ranked public preschools in Pennington County, SD are Hill City Elementary - 02, Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 and Canyon Lake Elementary - 04. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, SD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the South Dakota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 45% statewide average). Pre schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Dakota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschool average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Pennington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hill City Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Grades: PK-5
| 236 students
Rank: #22.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Grades: PK-5
| 487 students
Rank: #33.
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Grades: PK-5
| 297 students
Rank: #44.
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
424 E Indiana St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1825
Grades: PK-5
| 324 students
Rank: #55.
General Beadle Elementary - 01
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
10 Van Buren St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1841
Grades: PK-5
| 441 students
Rank: #66.
Jefferson Building - 64
Special Education School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
21 St Joseph St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-1813
Grades: PK-12
| 35 students
Rank: n/an/a
421 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0000
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0000
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Grades: K
| 14 students
Pennington County 51爆料s (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-10
| 59 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 62 students
401 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0080
Grades: K-1
| 464 students
19910 222nd St
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Wall, SD 57790
(605) 279-2156
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 11 students
420 Patriot Drive
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0013
Grades: 9-12
| 703 students
441 Don Williams Dr
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0070
Box Elder, SD 57719
(605) 923-0070
Grades: 2-3
| 492 students
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
Grades: PK-12
| 37 students
Po Box 128
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
New Underwood, SD 57761
(605) 754-6485
Grades: 7-8
| 48 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 356 students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 1 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Pennington County, SD?
The top ranked public preschools in Pennington County, SD include Hill City Elementary - 02, Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 and Canyon Lake Elementary - 04.
How many public preschools are located in Pennington County?
8 public preschools are located in Pennington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public preschools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the South Dakota public preschools average of 34% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
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