School Liaison Support

Military parents are encouraged to connect with the School Liaison Officer at their installation. School Liaison Officers are available to assist families with school-aged students on educational matters such as school transitions, local school district information, graduation requirements, youth sponsorship programs, and homeschooling.

School Liaison Officers can also help connect families with a School Liaison Officer at their new military installation prior to a Permanent Change of Station.

Families connected to Ellsworth Air Force Base can learn more and access School Liaison Office contact information through the Ellsworth AFB School Liaison Office.

Withdrawal of Students

Rapid City Area Schools maintains student records in compliance with South Dakota law and federal requirements.

Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to complete the student withdrawal process directly with their child’s school. Families preparing for a Permanent Change of Station should request an unofficial copy of the student’s educational record before relocating.

Upon receipt of unofficial education records by a school in the receiving state, the receiving school shall enroll and appropriately place the student based on the information provided in the unofficial records, pending validation by the official records, as quickly as possible.

When military orders require a family to move before the end of the school year, students are expected to enroll in the receiving school if that school is in session. However, if the family is transferring to a school where classes are no longer in session, it is recommended that the family work with their current Rapid City Area Schools building to make arrangements for completing coursework, end-of-course exams, and final grades.

Rapid City Area Schools is committed to supporting military-connected families throughout the transition process and helping students remain on track academically during a move.