For the 2026 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 44%), 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 (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: PK-5 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Covington St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 393-2221
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04
(Math: 20-24% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
General Beadle Elementary - 01
(Math: 10-14% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
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: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
1500 Evergreen Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 394-1817
Gr: K | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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%
Lincoln Building - 44 (Closed 2025)
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%
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 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).