Sioux Falls Schools Report Academic Gains While Rapid City Shows Gaps

South Dakota’s latest school report cards show different academic patterns in its two largest districts. Sioux Falls students begin below state averages in reading and math but catch up as they advance, exceeding state averages in math by seventh grade and English language arts by eighth grade; the district plans to expand Junior Kindergarten to strengthen early readiness. In Rapid City, 43% of students met state proficiency standards in English language arts and 35% in math, below statewide rates of 50% and 45%, respectively. The district pointed to more encouraging results on national assessments, where students in grades 2–8 scored at the 56th percentile in reading and math, while also highlighting attendance challenges: 81% attendance and 31% chronic absenteeism, compared with 88% and 20% statewide.