Education

Photo by Spearfish High School

Photo by BHSU Robotics Competition

Quality education is a cornerstone of the Spearfish community. Since the settling of the town, citizens have placed a high emphasis on education, as witnessed by the founding of the Black Hills Normal School just a few years after the first homesteaders arrived. SPEARFISH SCHOOLS 1 High School | 1 Middle School 3 Elementary Schools | 3 Parochial Schools The Spearfish School District serves approximately 2,415 students in the Spearfish community and surrounding area. The district's mission statement, "Empowering All Students to Succeed in a Changing World," is a goal they take very seriously. The Spearfish School District provides quality programs for all ranges of academic learners. The Spearfish School District is a positive, productive learning institution with a history of high expectations and student success. The staff is experienced, talented, and dedicated to the success of their students. The school system and community place a high value on the education of our youth and that expectation serves as a catalyst for student success in a rigorous learning environment.

Photo by Black Hills State University (BHSU), Middle School Students at BHSU Sanford Lab

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION Private Christian-based education is also a viable option in Spearfish with three parochial schools with all grade levels available. Homeschooling is an accepted practice by the State Department of Education with an active network of parental support within the community. BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY Black Hills State University is a masters-level state university with 3,539 students. The campus leads the region in sustainability efforts and maintains top academic programs in business (AACSB accredited), exercise science, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts (BFA), mass communication, health sciences, and education. A second location, BHSU-RC, serves students in Rapid City, the state’s second-largest city. A member of NCAA Division II athletics, BHSU proudly offers 14 sports for competition in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Along with conference and national champions, BHSU has a long legacy of champion rodeo teams. BHSU students, faculty, and staff are actively involved in the community recording over 10,000 hours of service each year. Area residents also benefit from the multitude of cultural events, lifelong learning opportunities, conferences, camps, and sporting events offered at the University. ENROLLMENT: 3,539 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: 80 bachelor, associate and master degree programs, and 20 pre-professional programs LIFELONG LEARNING Community Education of the Black Hills recognizes the benefits of engaging in learning opportunities at every stage of life. The program provides classes so all walks of life can afford to be life-long learners. These courses are instructed by members of the community who, in turn, provide a diverse array of topics; so, something is appealing for everyone. The program is supported solely by student participation and course offerings are dictated by demand.