The South Dakota Department of Education has released the 2025–2026 State School Report Card, providing an annual look at student achievement, attendance, and other important measures of school performance.
Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) is using the results, along with additional district assessment data, to highlight areas of progress, identify opportunities for improvement, and guide ongoing efforts to support student success.
Student Achievement: Progress and Opportunities for Growth
According to the State School Report Card, 43% of RCAS students met proficiency standards in English language arts (ELA), compared to 50% statewide. In mathematics, 35% of RCAS students met proficiency standards, compared to the statewide average of 45%.
While these results show areas for improvement, other assessments offer encouraging signs of student achievement.
In May 2026, RCAS students in grades 2–8 performed at the 56th percentile nationally in both mathematics and English language arts on the NWEA MAP assessment, above the national median of the 50th percentile.
Younger students also demonstrated positive results. Kindergarten and first-grade students performed at the 55th percentile in mathematics and the 53rd percentile in reading on the Acadience assessment.
State proficiency percentages and national percentile rankings measure student performance differently and cannot be directly compared.
RCAS is also seeing encouraging year-over-year improvements when comparing grade-level performance. These results compare students in the same grade across different school years rather than tracking individual students over time. A more detailed look at student growth will be shared during an upcoming Board of Education study session.
"Our national assessment results show encouraging signs, while our state assessment results remind us there is still work to do," said RCAS Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson. "We are committed to being transparent about our performance, celebrating progress, and using this information to help every student succeed."
At the high school level, RCAS 11th-grade students earned an average ACT composite score of 20, compared to the statewide average of 21.
To continue strengthening academic achievement, RCAS is focusing on several initiatives, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Junior Kindergarten, and evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. These efforts are designed to identify learning needs early, provide additional support, and help students build a strong academic foundation.
Improving Student Attendance
Student attendance remains a priority for RCAS.
The State School Report Card shows an 81% attendance rate for RCAS, compared to 88% statewide. Additionally, 31% of RCAS students were identified as chronically absent, compared to 20% statewide.
A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year, regardless of whether those absences are excused or unexcused.
RCAS has updated attendance policies and procedures to improve reporting consistency, strengthen communication with families, and identify students who may need additional support.
"Being in school consistently is an important part of student success," said Thompson. "We recognize there is room for improvement, and we are working alongside families to address barriers and help students be present, engaged, and ready to learn."
Through its ongoing attendance efforts, RCAS continues encouraging students and families to recognize the importance of being in school every day.
Enrollment Trends Reflect a Changing Community
Although overall enrollment across RCAS has declined in recent years, that trend does not tell the full story of what is happening throughout the district.
Several schools are experiencing enrollment growth, particularly in areas where residential development continues to expand.
Rapid Valley and Valley View elementary schools have seen significant enrollment increases as the eastern side of Rapid City continues to grow. Other schools experiencing recent growth include Corral Drive, General Beadle, Grandview, Pinedale, South Canyon, and South Middle School.
These changes reinforce the importance of looking beyond districtwide enrollment totals to understand where students live, which schools are experiencing growth, and how existing facilities can best serve students and staff.
RCAS continues to use enrollment projections, attendance boundary planning, and its Facilities Master Plan to make informed decisions about school capacity, building improvements, and long-term facility needs.
Looking Ahead
The State School Report Card is one of several tools RCAS uses to measure progress and identify areas for improvement. By looking at state assessments, nationally normed assessments, attendance data, and enrollment trends together, the district can develop a more complete picture of student needs and district performance.
"Our responsibility is to recognize where we are succeeding, be transparent about where improvement is needed, and plan responsibly for the future," said Thompson. "Every decision we make should ultimately support our students and their success."
RCAS remains focused on strengthening academic achievement, improving student attendance, and ensuring schools have the resources and facilities needed to support students and families.