(Open Enrollment applications are needed for students that reside in a school district other than Rapid City Area Schools such as the Douglas, Meade, or Custer School District and want to attend Rapid City Area Schools.  If a student resides in the Rapid City Area School district and wants to attend a different school rather than what is assigned to their boundary area, a personal transfer is needed.  See below.)

The 1997 South Dakota Legislature established for students enrolled in grades KG-12 an “enrollment options” program, commonly referred to as open enrollment. The law, which can be found at SDCL 13-28-40 through 13-28-47, requires the Department of Education to provide application forms for open enrollment to local schools.

Under the Open Enrollment law, the Rapid City Area Schools accepts students who are legal residents of another South Dakota district provided they can do so without adversely affecting the quality of the educational program. Approval is subject to program and/or space availability. Contact the Rapid City Area Schools Educational Services Office at 394-4037 about open enrollment questions.  For more information, reference District Policy JECC and Procedure JECC-P.  Please click on the  State Open Enrollment Request Form and RCAS Consent Form below.  Fill out both forms and email the completed forms email Cara Bento and email Sharon Ryan.  

State Open Enrollment Request Form and RCAS Consent Form

Personal Transfers Requests

Personal Transfer requests allow residents of the Rapid City Area School District to transfer their children to another school within the district. Applications must be filed with the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services by using the application links below.. Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Approval is subject to program and/or space availability.  For more information, reference District Policy JECC and Procedure JECC-P.

Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, we transitioned to using electronic submissions.  Links below will become active on opening days as specified below.

Elementary

The elementary submission form will become available for the school year at 7:30 AM on March 1.   This policy update was approved on 1/17/23.  Note:  The  dates of submission have been changed to March 1 through May 1.  

*Note:  Kindergarten personal transfers to Knollwood, Horace Mann, and General Beadle will not be reviewed/considered until the Monday after Labor Day, September 09, 2025, due to limited classroom space availability.   The personal transfers may be submitted from March 1 through May 1.

RCAS Personal Transfer Request Form 2025-26-Elementary School

Middle School

The middle school submission form will become available for the next school year at 7:30 AM on March 1.   This policy update was approved on 1/17/23.  Note:  The  dates of submission have been changed to March 1 through May 1.  

RCAS Personal Transfer Request Form 2025-26-Middle School

High School

The high school submission form will become available at 7:30 AM on March 1.   This policy update was approved on 1/17/23.  Note:  The  dates of submission have been changed to March 1 through May 1.  

RCAS Personal Transfer Request Form 2025-26-High School

Student Assignment Requests

RCAS Student Assignment Request Form

For more detail please refer to the Admission and Assignment of Students to Schools Procedures.