Spearfish School District

Quality Education is a corner stone of the Spearfish community. Since the settling of the town, citizens have placed high emphasis on education, as witnessed by the founding of the Black Hills Normal School just a few years after the first homesteaders arrived.

The Spearfish School District serves approximately 2000 students from the Spearfish community and surrounding area. Our district’s mission statement, “Empowering All Students to Succeed in a Changing World” is one we take very seriously.

The Spearfish School District provides quality programs for all ranges of academic learners. We are a positive, productive institution with a history of high expectations and student success. Our staff is experienced, talented and dedicated to the achievement of our students. The school system and community of Spearfish place high value on the education of our youth, and that expectation serves as a catalyst for student success in a rigorous learning environment.

Data from the District’s 2010 ANNUAL REPORT:
  • Enrollment by building
    • 486 – West Elementary, K-2
    • 435 – East Elementary, 3-5
    • 418 – Middle School, 6-8
    • 625 – High School, 9-12
  • Student attendance rate – 95%
  • Dual credit courses are offered simultaneously at Spearfish High School and Black Hills State University, with credit received in both institutions.
  • ACT scores
    • Spearfish High School average – 22.4
    • South Dakota average – 21.8
    • National average – 21.0
  • High School advanced placement courses are offered in History, Language and Literature
  • SHS graduates
    • 71% pursuing post-secondary studies
    • 27% directly to the workforce
    • 2% entering the military
  • 35% of Spearfish School District’s teaching staff has earned a Master’s degree or higher
  • 100% of Spearfish School District’s teaching staff is highly qualified
  • Nine bus routes serve 32% of our students and travel over 120,000 miles a year
  • Per pupil expenditures are less than 85% of the state average
Alternative Education Options:

Private Christian-based education is available in Spearfish at two separate academies. All grade levels are available. Because of the rural nature of South Dakota, home schooling is also an accepted practice by the state department of education.