Rapid City Area School District 51-4

District Overview
Situated in the vibrant small-city setting of Rapid City, South Dakota, the Rapid City Area School District 51-4 serves as a primary educational anchor for the region, operating 25 active public school campuses. Headquartered at 625 9th Street (Suite 208), this traditional public school system offers a complete learning pathway spanning from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district currently educates a dynamic student body of 12,308 children—comprising 6,327 male and 5,981 female learners—delivering foundational academic and extracurricular experiences across all grade levels. Community members, prospective families, and educational researchers can explore additional district initiatives, policies, and resources by visiting their official website at www.rcas.org.

To support this expansive student body, the district relies on a robust workforce totaling more than 3,070 full-time equivalent staff members. This dedicated team includes approximately 1,539 classroom teachers, over 213 instructional aides, and more than 1,320 support staff personnel, ensuring that students receive both rigorous academic instruction and well-rounded wrap-around services. Reflecting the rich heritage of the surrounding region, the district's student population is culturally diverse, prominently featuring more than 2,100 American Indian students, nearly 1,500 multiracial students, and close to 1,300 Hispanic students, alongside 7,133 White students and smaller Asian, Black, and Pacific Islander cohorts. Through its strong staffing framework and inclusive environment, the district continues to foster a supportive educational community across western South Dakota.
25
Total Schools
12,308
Total Students
1,539.4
Full-Time Teachers
8.0
Student/Teacher Ratio
Demographics

District Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Demographic Student Count
White7,133
Hispanic1,296
Black132
Asian144
Two or More1,463
American Indian2,131
Pacific Islander9
  • White
    7,133 (58.0%)
  • American Indian
    2,131 (17.3%)
  • Two or More
    1,463 (11.9%)
  • Hispanic
    1,296 (10.5%)
  • Asian
    144 (1.2%)
  • Black
    132 (1.1%)
  • Pacific Islander
    9 (0.1%)
School Levels

School Levels Data Table

School Levels in Rapid City Area School District 51-4
School LevelSchool Count
Elementary14
Middle5
High4
Other7
School Map
District Details
Status:Open
District type:Regular public school district that is not a component of a supervisory union
Charter:Not applicable
Number of schools:25
Students:12,308*
Teachers (FTE):1,539.4*
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:8.0
Schools in Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Found 30 Schools