Best Schools in Hill City, South Dakota
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Hill City?
Use this page to compare every school in Hill City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Hill City Elementary - 02
Elementary · Hill City School District 51-2. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hill City High School - 01
High · Hill City School District 51-2. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hill City Middle School - 04
Middle · Hill City School District 51-2. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hill City for 2026 are Hill City Elementary - 02 (7.4/10), Hill City High School - 01 (7.1/10), and Hill City Middle School - 04 (5.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$323,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$323,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Hill City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Hill City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 3 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hill City Elementary - 02 | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Hill City High School - 01 | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Hill City Middle School - 04 | 5.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $90,089
- Median home value
- $323,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hill City compares
South Dakota rank
#63 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above South Dakota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$90k
129% of South Dakota median
Schools in this city
3
Hill City School District 51-2 runs Hill City's public schools
3 public schools. Hill City School District 51-2 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Hill City is a Hill City School District 51-2 school (3 of 3).
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.0 to 7.4 — the spread is inside Hill City, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Hill City, South Dakota
Hill City, South Dakota is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Hill City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Hill City is Hill City Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hill City is served by 1 school district: Hill City School District 51-2. These districts collectively serve 508 students.
Hill City's community shows 34% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $90,089. The poverty rate in the area is 6.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 236 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 118 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 154 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Schools in Hill City
Hill City, South Dakota · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$90,089
Median Home Value
$323,500
Median Rent
$1,016/mo
Population
1,784
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Community Profile
Hill City has a median household income of $90,089. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $323,500, with a median rent of $1,016/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Dakota
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in South Dakota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Hill City, South Dakota
How many schools are in Hill City, South Dakota?
Hill City has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hill City, South Dakota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hill City is 6.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Hill City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked school in Hill City on MySchoolScout is Hill City Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hill City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hill City on MySchoolScout is Hill City Elementary - 02 with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Hill City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked middle school in Hill City on MySchoolScout is Hill City Middle School - 04 with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Hill City, South Dakota?
The top-ranked high school in Hill City on MySchoolScout is Hill City High School - 01 with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Hill City, South Dakota?
Hill City is served by 1 school district: Hill City School District 51-2.
What is the education level in Hill City, South Dakota?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Hill City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hill City, South Dakota?
The median household income in Hill City is approximately $90,089 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hill City, South Dakota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hill City is 15.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hill City, South Dakota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, South Dakota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.