Listen to The Public School Podcast
RAPID CITY, SD – Rapid City Area Schools leaders are drawing attention to the often unseen challenges faced by students experiencing housing instability and the support systems in place to help them succeed, according to a recent episode of the Public School Podcast.
The district’s McKinney Vento program, which serves students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Anita Deranleau, the district’s McKinney Vento coordinator, explained that housing instability extends far beyond traditional perceptions of homelessness.
“Houselessness includes families living with others due to lack of housing, staying in hotels or motels, or living in unstable or unsafe conditions,” Deranleau said on the podcast. “Our job is to make sure students can get to school, stay in school, and have what they need to learn.”
As of early January, Rapid City Area Schools is supporting more than 450 students and their siblings through the program. Services include transportation, school enrollment assistance, food support, clothing, and other basic needs that allow students to participate fully in school.
Deranleau said her work often begins early each morning, coordinating transportation for students who may have moved overnight or lost access to their usual route to school. Throughout the day, she and her team respond to emergencies ranging from food insecurity and evictions to unaccompanied youth needing immediate enrollment.
The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act eliminates barriers that once prevented students without documentation, proof of address, or immunization records from attending school. The law allows schools to enroll students immediately and provide services regardless of housing status.
“Education is one of the most reliable paths out of poverty,” Deranleau said. “Removing barriers ensures students are not further disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.”
Stability was repeatedly emphasized during the episode as a key factor in student success. District leaders noted that frequent school changes can result in significant learning loss, making it critical for students experiencing housing instability to remain in their original schools whenever possible.
Transportation services play a major role in maintaining that stability, often requiring complex coordination across the city.
Deranleau made comment on expanded food access within the district, including an existing food pantry at Rapid City Academy and a new pantry planned for General Beadle School. The district partners with Feeding South Dakota and community donors to provide emergency food assistance to families in need.
Beyond academics, Deranleau stressed the importance of addressing the whole child. Housing instability can lead to anxiety, fatigue, hunger, and emotional stress, all of which interfere with learning.
“If basic needs are not met, students cannot focus on academics,” Deranleau said. “Something as simple as food, sleep, or a pencil can make the difference.”
District leaders also discussed how educators and staff can help identify students who may qualify for McKinney Vento services by referring concerns to school counselors or district advocates. Even when students do not qualify under the law, officials said the district works to connect families with available resources.
Hornick, Schaefbauer, and Deranlueau call for greater public understanding of family homelessness and housing instability, noting that many affected students are not visibly unhoused and may be attending school daily despite significant challenges at home.
