Rapid City High School

By the beginning of the 20th century, there were growing concerns of low literacy in Rapid City. In 1915, most residents had only been given a basic education; about 10% of the population had graduated high school, and only 158 people in the entirety of Pennington County held college degrees. Multiple school buildings have been built on the present-day school site, but the remaining one, built in 1923, is the only building that has survived. This complex served as Rapid City's only public high school until 1969. and two years later, it was renamed to Coolidge High School in his honor. The fire also damaged the neighboring Coolidge Building, and both it and Washington Elementary School were demolished in 1971. This left the 1923 Rapid City High School as the last remaining classroom building on the site. ==Architecture==

Rapid City High School is a four-story, steel-framed, Beaux-Arts-style building on a concrete foundation. Its ground floor exterior is encased in Kasota limestone, while the upper levels are all red brickwork with more decorative limestone molded dentils. The parapet rising above its flat roof is topped with simple limestone blocks; just below this parapet sits a metal cornice. The lower three stories were part of the original structure in 1923, and the fourth floor was not added until 1948. The main entrance on Columbus Street projects out slightly from the rest of the building, with access provided by a set of concrete stairs. "Rapid City High School" is engraved in the limestone veneer above the front entryway. This entrance is flanked by two metal lampposts on either side. The entire area of the building is . Two courtyards divide the separate wings of the buildings; they were originally covered by skylights, but these were removed in 1977. The auditorium dates back to 1937. The stage measures deep and long. Two sets of stairs lead from the auditorium to the stage, and a small gallery houses the stage's light and curtain mechanisms. The interior is intricately designed; a proscenium arch rises above the stage. The upper part of the auditorium and the ceiling include intricate molding that camouflage the steel support joists. When originally constructed, it could house 1,402 audience members. ==Performing Arts Center of Rapid City==

Moved to the Rapid City High School in 2011, Organizations such as the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and the Black Hills Community Theatre are based out of this center. ==Notable alumni==

• Helen Duhamel, businesswoman and broadcaster • Judy Olson Duhamel, state politician and educator • Floy Schoenfelder, polio survivor advocate ==References==