School overview
At a glance
Reported students
614
NCES CCD 2024–25, where reported
Teachers (FTE)
37.76
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.3:1
Calculated, not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
South Dakota middle enrollment
92th percentile
Compared with 165 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
424.5
Southwest Middle School - 38: 614 reported students.
State peer staffing position
87th percentile
16.3:1 reported; state peer median 13.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Profile interpretation
What the reported data says about Southwest Middle School - 38
Southwest Middle School - 38 is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Rapid City. It is one of 24 current school records connected to Rapid City Area School District 51-4. NCES reports 614 students for 2024–25.
Among 165 middle schools in South Dakota with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 75 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 92th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.3:1, above the South Dakota median of 13.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The two largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (76.7%) and multiracial (9.8%). English learners represent 1.4% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 12.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Turn data into a school visit
Questions worth asking Southwest Middle School - 38
- 1How do the reported 16.3:1 student–teacher ratio and 37.76 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3How are the school's 1 counselor FTE allocated across grades and student needs?
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Student context
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 1.4%
- Students with disabilities
- 12.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 12.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
People available to students
Support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.4
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White76.7%
- Hispanic6.4%
- Black0.7%
- Asian2.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native3.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.3%
- Multiracial9.8%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25 where reported, otherwise CRDC 2021–22. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Learning opportunities
Programs reported by the school
Advanced Placement
Not reported
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
Computer science
Not reported
Program availability is from CRDC 2021–22 and can change. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Continue exploring
Other schools in Rapid City Area School District 51-4
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
East Middle School - 30
Middle · Grades 06–08
613 reported students
South Middle School - 36
Middle · Grades 06–08
618 reported students
West Middle School - 37
Middle · Grades 06–08
591 reported students
North Middle School - 35
Middle · Grades 06–08
418 reported students
Valley View Elementary - 13
Elementary · Grades KG–05
605 reported students
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12
Elementary · Grades PK–05
486 reported students