Education

Incoming families are encouraged to register their children in school as soon as possible. Children who live on base or in Box Elder, are eligible to enroll in the Douglas Public School District. For those children living in or around Rapid City, they are eligible to register into the Rapid City Area Schools District. The schools are open from mid-August to mid-June.

Registration information may be obtained by calling the Douglas Public School District at 605-923-0000 or the Rapid City School District at 605-394-4037 for Elementary Education or 605-394-5147 for Secondary Education. Other School Districts nearby the local area include the New Underwood School District, and the Meade School District.   

Homeschool families can find more information about South Dakota requirements at:  https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/homeschooling.aspx  

The School Liaison Officer (SLO) is available to help with educational questions regarding your move. You can reach the SLO office at 605-385-5385 or DSN 312-675-5385. You may access the Ellsworth AFB SLO webpage to find information on all the local educational opportunities including public, private and home school options.

Incoming families are encouraged to register their children in school as soon as possible. Children who live on base or in Box Elder, are eligible to enroll in the Douglas Public School District. For those children living in or around Rapid City, they are eligible to register into the Rapid City Area Schools District. Please check with the schools for further details.

The schools are open from mid-August to mid-June. During other times of the year, registration information may be obtained by calling the Douglas Public School District at 605-923-0000 or the Rapid City School District at 605-394-4037 for Elementary Education or 605-394-5147 for Secondary Education.

Registration

When registering children in school, parents need to provide a certified birth certificate, updated shot records, Social Security number and proof of residency.  South Dakota law requires a TB test prior to enrollment in any school.

Graduation Requirements

Core curriculum requirements for high school: 4 units of English; 3 units of Mathematics; 3 units of Lab Science; 3 units of Social Sciences; 1 unit of (Any Combination) approved CTE, Capstone Experience, or World Language; 1 unit of Fine Arts; ½ unit of Personal Finance or Economics; ½ unit of Physical Education; ½ unit of Health or Health Integration; a minimum of 5.5 units of Electives.

School Calendar

Depending upon which school district you will be attending, the school year begins in late August and ends in late May or early June.

Douglas District Schools

Douglas Schools are located adjacent to Ellsworth AFB and provide public school services for the dependents of Air Force personnel living on or near Ellsworth AFB, as well as the population living in Box Elder and surrounding rural areas (encompassing 156 square miles). The district enrolls approximately 2,600 students, 40% of whom are dependents of Air Force personnel.

The Douglas District has a K-12 curriculum with a full range of academic offerings. The district has a broad, varied, and well-directed activities program. All day every day kindergarten provides a positive learning experience for students in a safe and caring atmosphere. Douglas has the only AFJROTC program in South Dakota. Students learn the basics of aerospace education and leadership, for more information call 605-923-0030.

School Liaison Services

The School Liaison Services (SLS)  Program Manager is available to help with educational questions regarding your move. You can reach the School Liaison Services office at 605-385-5385 or DSN 312-675-5385. You may access the Ellsworth AFB School Liaison Services webpage to find information on all the local educational opportunities including public, private and home school options or visit the School Liaison Services Facebook page for upcoming school related events or programs. School Liaison | Ellsworth Air Force Base (ellsworthfss.com)