Strategic Planning

RCAS strengthens community through education, communication , appreciation and celebration.

Development of the Strategic Plan

Students

Rapid City Area Schools will welcome and acknowledge all students for their value as individuals in a safe environment where they are educated and prepared with skills to be successful.

Measure of Success

Baseline

2024-2025

2025-2026 GOALS

Student Survey:

16. I like going to my school each day.

17. I feel like I belong at school.

37%

47%

42.18%

54.25%

44.18%

56.25%

Attendance

81%

81%

83%

Major Behavior Referrals (Updated to remove attendance referrals 2026)

10,951

10,951

Reduce by 5% 10,404

Learning Growth (Math and Reading): Using Acadiance and MAP for Math growth and ELA growth scores K-8; pre-ACT and ACT

K-1 Acadience: Math- 53.5% ELA - 51%

2-8 NWEA MAP: Math- 46.4% ELA – 46.7%

9-10 PreACT: 16.64

11 ACT: 20.45

K-1 Acadience: Math- 51% ELA - 49.5%

2-8 NWEA MAP: Math- 49.26% ELA – 48.57%

9-10 PreACT: 17.25

11 ACT: 19.7

K-1 Acadience: 10% increase

2-8 NWEA MAP: Math- 51% ELA – 53%

9-10 PreACT: 17.25

11 ACT: 19.4

RCAS Staff

RCAS will attract, recruit, and retain a diverse high-quality staff who are respected and empowered to educate our students.

Measures of Success

Baseline

2024-2025

2025-2026 GOALS

Recruitment (Vaccancy Rate)

7%

7%

Retention (Turnover Rate)

18.93%

17.29%

Community

RCAS will build collaborative relationships within the community to support and improve the students’ educational experience.

Measures of Success

Baseline

2024-2025

2025-2026 GOALS

Engagement with District-level Communication Platforms

17,643 followers

Open rate for emails 34%

19,406 followers

App Downloads: 1,444

20,000 followers

6,000 app downloads

Family/Caregiver Survey

I am proud to say I have a child at this school.

3.96

4.06

4.11

Employee Experience Survey:

I would recommend that parents select my organization to serve their child.

3.72

3.78

3.88

Number of Partnerships that provide Capstone Experiences for RCAS students

326

(New Metric as of 2025-2026)

333

Facilities

RCAS will ensure safe, modern, effective learning environments by building, improving, and maintaining facilities to meet changing educational needs.

Measures of Success

Baseline

2024-2025

2025-2026 GOALS

RCAS Facilities Standard

Average 53

58.9-59.5

61.5

Impact Project Plan

Development of plan

Reduce the quantity of projects and focus on impactful projects

Impact Project

Communication

RCAS will communicate clearly and consistently with all staff, families, students, and the community.

Measures of Success

Baseline

2024-2025

2025-2026 GOALS

District Services Survey: Accessibility

4.33

4.17

4.22

District Services Survey: Accuracy

4.28

4.25

4.3

Employee Experience Survey:

I believe organization-level information is communicated in a timely manner across the organization.

3.39

3.43

3.63

Employee Experience Survey:

I have a clear understanding of the mission and goals of my organization.

3.87

3.90

4.0

Parent/Caregiver Survey:

I believe information from RCAS’s District Communication Office is clearly communicated in a timely manner.

3.69

3.81

3.91

Students

Rapid City Area Schools will welcome and acknowledge all students for their value as individuals in a safe environment where they are educated and prepared with skills to be successful.

RCAS Staff

Rapid City Area Schools will attract, recruit, and retain a diverse high-quality staff who are respected and empowered to educate our students.

Community

Rapid City Area Schools will build collaborative relationships within the community to support and improve the students’ educational experience.

Facilities

Rapid City Area Schools will ensure safe, modern, effective learning environments by building, improving, and maintaining facilities to meet changing educational needs

Communication

Rapid City Area Schools will communicate clearly and consistently with all staff, families, students, and the community.