ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´

Best Pennington County ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´s (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 private schools serving 2,062 students in Pennington County, SD (there are , serving 15,928 public students). 11% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
The average acceptance rate is 90%, which is lower than the South Dakota private school average acceptance rate of 91%.
82% of private schools in Pennington County, SD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked Pennington County ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´s (2026-27)

Map of Black Hills Children's Home
Gr: K-8 | 42 students
Alternative School
24100 S Rockerville Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 343-5422
Rapid City Christian School Photo
Gr: 6-12 | 333 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 10 | Extracurriculars: 7
23757 Arena Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 341-3377
Map of St. Elizabeth Seton School
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students
Catholic
2101 City Springs Rd Ste 100
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 716-5213
Map of St. Thomas More High School
Gr: 9-12 | 376 students
Catholic
300 Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 343-8484
Map of Calvary Christian School
Gr: PK-5 | 210 students
Baptist
4601 South Highway 16
Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 348-5175
Map of Children's House Montessori
Gr: PK-6 | 68 students
Avg. class size: 25 students
Extracurriculars: 1
Montessori School
3520 W Main St
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 341-0824
Map of Creekside Christian School
Gr: K-8 | 115 students
2225 E Saint Patrick St
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 343-2980
Rapid City Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School Photo
Gr: 1-8 | 18 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Extracurriculars: 3
Seventh Day Adventist
1636 Concourse Ct
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 343-2785
St. Pauls Lutheran School Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 174 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 6
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
835 E Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-5385
Map of Zion Lutheran School
Gr: PK-5 | 166 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 1
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
4550 S Highway 16
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-5749
[+] Show Closed ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´s in Pennington County, South Dakota

Pennington County ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´s (Closed)

Map of Black Hills Lutheran Schools
Gr: 6-12 | 16 students
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
910 Wood Ave
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 721-0760

Overview

Category
This State (SD)
US
# Schools
11 Schools
# Students
2,062 Students
14,978 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
22%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
139 Teachers
1,225 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
31%
35%
Average Class Size
18 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
6 courses
course
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$5,000
$5,377
Average % on Financial Aid
20%
%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,500
$0
Average Acceptance Rate
90%
91%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56
0.59
# American Indian Students
79 Students
1,727 Students
% American Indian Students
4%
11%
# Asian Students
39 Students
161 Students
% Asian Students
2%
1%
# Hispanic Students
211 Students
468 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
3%
# Black Students
36 Students
244 Students
% Black Students
2%
2%
# White Students
1,328 Students
8,987 Students
% White Students
63%
59%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
99 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
403 Students
3,562 Students
% of Others Students
19%
23%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
4 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Pennington County, SD?
The top ranked private schools in Pennington County, SD include Rapid City Christian School, St. Elizabeth Seton School, and St. Thomas More High School.
How many private schools are located in Pennington County?
10 private schools are located in Pennington County.
How diverse are private schools in Pennington County?
Pennington County private schools are approximately 20% minority students, which is lower than the South Dakota private school average of 22%.
What percentage of students in Pennington County go to private school?
11% of all K-12 students in Pennington County are educated in private schools (compared to the SD state average of 9%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Pennington County?
82% of private schools in Pennington County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).
Which private schools in Pennington County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

When Your Child Struggles in One ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ Subject
When Your Child Struggles in One ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ Subject
Learn what to do when your child struggles in one private school subject, including identifying causes, working with teachers, evaluating support, tutoring, progress, and next steps effectively.
Is Your Child Challenged or Just Given More Work?
Is Your Child Challenged or Just Given More Work?
Learn how to distinguish meaningful academic rigor from excessive workload by evaluating assignments, feedback, classroom expectations, assessments, and intellectual challenge when comparing private schools for your child.
ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ Extra Help: Evaluating Teacher Access
ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ Extra Help: Evaluating Teacher Access
Learn how to evaluate private school extra-help systems, including teacher availability, scheduling, advising, response times, and access, so your child can receive meaningful academic support when needed most.

Filter Schools

School Level
Must Offer Grade
Show more
Gender
School Focus
Religious Affiliation
ADD/ADHD Support
Summer Program

Quick Links