Average

#1325 of 1,992 schools in MN

Hill City Elementary

Elementary School · HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

500 IONE AVE, Hill City, MN 55748

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

102

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Enrollment

102

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,325 of 1,992

In Hill City

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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About Hill City Elementary

Hill City Elementary is a public elementary school in Hill City, MN, part of HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Hill City Elementary serves approximately 102 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Hill City Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,325 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Hill City Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below MN schools

5.6

This school 5.6 · Average
MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 102 students, Hill City Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Hill City Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data14

Annual Change-2.26 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics7.4Very Good30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+11.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile62th

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1

Per-Pupil Spending$16,340

Chronic Absenteeism21.6%

Hill City Elementary — Students at Hill City Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009

Math

77%

ELA

77%

2010

Math

37%

ELA

67%

2011

Math

57%

ELA

62%

2012

Math

62%

ELA

57%

2013

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2014

Math

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2015

Math

84.5%

ELA

54.5%

2016

Math

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2017

Math

54.5%

ELA

34.5%

2018

Math

44.5%

ELA

34.5%

2019

Math

44.5%

ELA

34.5%

2020*

Math

49.5%

ELA

30%

2021*

Math

49.5%

ELA

30%

2022

Math

64.5%

ELA

24.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Hill City Elementary Compares

See how Hill City Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

5.6/10

34th percentile in MN

Academic

7.4/10

Very Good

Growth

3.4/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

8.6/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

64%

Teaching Staff

13:1 student-teacher ratio

8 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

21.6%

Location

500 IONE AVE, Hill City, MN 55748

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hill City Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Rapids Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Rapids Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COHASSET ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Cohasset), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hill City, see our Hill City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.7 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City	0.0 mi	73	5.7
Hill City Middle School Hill City	0.0 mi	67	5.3
West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids	16.0 mi	639	8.4
GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids	16.4 mi	62	5.7
GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids	16.4 mi	127	5.1
ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids	16.6 mi	36	6.6
GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids	17.8 mi	1,114	7.8
ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids	17.9 mi	778	7.6
MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids	17.9 mi	26	—
East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids	17.9 mi	649	8.8
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset	18.9 mi	312	7.7
BLACKBERRY SDA SCHOOL Grand Rapids	16.4 mi	12	—
Northland Elementary Remer	15.1 mi	207	3.5
NORTHLAND SECONDARY Remer	15.1 mi	131	5.9
VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine	22.0 mi	420	6.7
GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine	22.1 mi	287	6.1
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine	22.1 mi	298	8.7
NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Warba	18.3 mi	84	7.3
LITTLE SAND Remer	18.3 mi	9	—
KING ELEMENTARY Deer River	24.7 mi	396	7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55748 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,615

Median Home Value

$180,400

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

1,429

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Median Age

45.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield, MN	103	5.6
GREAT EXPECTATIONS Grand Marais, MN	120	5.6
ST ANNE SCHOOL Wabasso, MN	91	5.5
ELLSWORTH ELEMENTARY Ellsworth, MN	66	5.4
Quantum STEAM Academy Elementary Saint Paul, MN	125	5.4
ST TIMOTHYS PARISH SCHOOL Maple Lake, MN	133	5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hill City Elementary

What grades does Hill City Elementary serve?

Hill City Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Hill City Elementary?

Hill City Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 102 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hill City Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hill City Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hill City Elementary rank in MN?

Hill City Elementary ranks #1,325 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Hill City Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hill City Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hill City Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hill City Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hill City Elementary a charter school?

No, Hill City Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hill City Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hill City Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hill City Elementary?

63.7% of students at Hill City Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Hill City, MN Schools in MN HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT District 20 nearby schools

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score: 16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score: 38 Somewhat Bikeable

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment: 102
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12.8:1
Teachers (FTE): 8
Free/Reduced Lunch: 63.7%
Type: regular
Setting: Remote Rural
County: Aitkin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23): 21.6%
Phone: (218) 697-2394

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

District Enrollment: 242
Schools in District: 3
Per-Pupil Spending: $16,340
District Rank: #2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH 5.7 Hill City Middle School 5.3

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.

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Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 MN EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

Hill City Elementary

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