RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Area Schools is reporting progress across several key areas of its five-year strategic plan, including student achievement, student behavior, employee retention, and facility improvements.
District leaders shared the update with the RCAS Board of Education, highlighting growth in academic performance during the 2025-26 school year. Math and reading benchmark scores for grades 2 through 8 improved by more than six percentage points, while PreACT scores for high school students also increased.
The district also reported significant improvements in student behavior early in the current school year. Compared to the same period last year, discipline referrals dropped 40 percent, aggression incidents fell 37 percent, and suspensions decreased 36 percent.
RCAS says employee turnover and vacancy rates both declined, while approximately 8 million dollars was invested in 28 school facility projects. Community engagement also grew, with more than 300 district partners and over 20,000 social media followers.
Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson says the results reflect the work of educators, staff, families, and community partners, while acknowledging that attendance and student engagement remain areas of focus. The district’s goal is to increase attendance from 81 percent to 83 percent during the current school year.
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