T. F. Riggs High School is a comprehensive high school serving approximately 800 Pierre School District students in grades nine through twelve. Instruction is delivered by 52 teachers using a traditional schedule, employing seven, fifty minute periods. The school employs a “closed campus” structure except for juniors and seniors who are in good standing academically.

The Riggs High School facility was constructed on the current site in 1956 and has been under construction on seven different occasions over a period of almost fifty years. The most recent addition was completed in 2002. Twenty two new classrooms were added along with two computer commons. A “new look” was provided with the remodeling of the lobby and lunchroom areas.

Riggs students traditionally perform very well on standardized tests. They consistently score above the state and national averages on the ACT and the Dakota STEP Test. Junior students at Riggs have made, or exceeded AYP (adequate yearly progress) in reading and mathematics for each year of the mandated Dakota Step Test. Typically about 80 percent of Riggs graduates pursue post secondary education with over 70 percent attending four year colleges.

Curriculum offerings at Riggs provide students the opportunity to take a broad range of courses in order to satisfy the requirement of 22 credits for graduation. Advanced level courses are available in English, mathematics, science and foreign language with Advanced Placement courses currently taught in calculus, chemistry, government, and psychology. In addition students may elect to take other advanced courses on-line through Apex.

The school is in the third year as a participant in the state laptop initiative with all students receiving Gateway tablet computers at the beginning of each year to be used for the integration of technology to instruction. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year Riggs High School will add an alternative education site called the Riggs Academy. The primary focus of the Academy will be credit recovery.