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From our Superintendent
Welcome to the Rapid City Catholic School System. We hope you find the information provided within this website to be of help.
Our mission statement, “Developing Personal and Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition,” states the purpose of our school system. With the strong partnership that exists between our Church/parishes, parents, students, faculty, staff, administration and community at large, we see this mission being carried out daily in our schools and in the lives of our graduates, who are prepared for roles of leadership and service in their adult lives. Ninety-six percent of our graduates have pursued a college education and many have been accepted in some of the most academically demanding institutions in the nation. They take with them the benefits of an education rooted in faith, knowledge, character and service. In short they are equipped to succeed in a changing world.
In 1960, the vision of Catholic education in the Rapid City Diocese took its first giant step with the construction of Perpetual Help Grade School on Fairmont Boulevard in Rapid City. This replaced the Cathedral Grade School and St. John's Grade School. The school is now called St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Next door is St. Thomas More High School, which opened in 1995 and is the successor to Cathedral High School and St. Martin's Academy.
Seton and St. Thomas More now serve over 800 children from pre-school through twelfth grade, developing in those students "Personal and academic excellence in the Catholic tradition." Students come from communities across western South Dakota.
The Rapid City Catholic School System (RCCSS) has a long tradition of educating children in a loving, Christian environment, and enjoys a reputation as one of the leading school systems within the state of South Dakota. We serve the Diocese of Rapid City which includes a broad area of 43,000 square miles with 12,444 families. Out students score well above the national average on standardized tests and successfully complete post-high school programs at a high rate. They also take advantage of the distinctly Catholic thrust of our mission: to learn from the lessons that Jesus teachers, to strive to live lives within these Christian mores, and to serve others accordingly.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Thomas More have a history of excellence and we are proud of our accomplishments. Our vision is rooted in a commitment to academic excellence, building faith and moral character, leadership development and community service. Our graduates leave the system prepared to live in accordance with Catholic values and to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.
I invite you to stop by and visit about how we can meet the educational needs of your student. Most first time visitors comment on the "great feel" they experience when walking through our facilities. Come and witness first hand "Catholic Education, the Heart of Community." Thank you for your interest.
Barb Honeycutt
Superintendent
Rapid City Catholic School System
Staff Directory
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School Board Information
Visit Edline to learn more about our School Board.
What is the Board’s role?
The School Board is responsible for:
- Review and approve the school system budget, tuition and other sources of funding
- Determine policies that adhere to diocesan policy and enable the school to fulfill its mission
- Employ a superintendent and conduct an annual performance review
- Participate in the school’s development, student enrollment efforts, public relations plan, and long-range planning
What is expected of Board members?
Board members are expected to:
- Attend and participate in monthly board meetings
- Serve on one of the following committees: Finance, Development, Investments, or Facilities
- Attend an annual day-long orientation held in July
- Serve a 3 year term with the option of doing a second term
How are School Board members selected?
Governing our organization is an extremely important role. That’s why we recruit a pool of potential board candidates for each open position. Candidates submit written responses to reflection questions and are interviewed. The Executive committee, comprised of Board officers and the Selection chair make recommendations to the Board. Approved candidates are submitted to the Governing committee, which is comprised of the Bishop, the Vicar General and the Chancellor for final approval.
How to learn more about getting involved with the School Board:
If you would like to learn more about the role of the School Board or if you would like to explore if you are a good fit for this position, you are encouraged to:
- Attend a meeting
- Participate in a School Board committee
- Look over School Board documents which can be accessed on our website
If you are interested in serving in this capacity or would like more information, please contact one of the people below to learn more:
Dr. Dionne Eastmo
Vice-President and Selection chair
eastmofamily@gmail.com
343-1708
Rapid City Catholic School Board Positions Open
The RCCSS School Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the school system budget, tuition and other sources of funding; determining policies that enable the school to fulfill its mission; and participating in the school’s development, student enrollment efforts, public relations plan, and long-range planning. If you are interested in serving in this capacity or would like more information, please contact Dr. Dionne Eastmo, Vice-President and Selection chair, at eastmofamily@gmail.com or 343-1708. Application deadline is Friday, May 18th.
Employment Opportunites
Click here to learn more about our Employment Opportunities.
Recent News
Check out our Recent News page to hear about all the fun and exciting things happening at RCCSS and to see what our students and families have been up to in our community!