Excellent
#44 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 2% in state
Hill City Elementary
Elementary School · HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
500 IONE AVE, Hill City, MN 55748
Enrollment
102
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
102
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hill City
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#42 of 962
In district
#1 of 3
HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Hill City Elementary
Hill City Elementary is a public elementary school in Hill City, MN, part of the HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The school serves approximately 102 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 97.8th percentile among MN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 53% proficiency in math and 30% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $54,615, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 102 students, Hill City Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Hill City Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Hill City Elementary — Students at Hill City Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.6/10.
How Hill City Elementary Compares
See how Hill City Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
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 8.6/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a very similar rating. Another option is West Rapids Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a comparable rating. Additionally, KING ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 24.7 miles away, in nearby Deer River), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hill City, see our Hill City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Hill City Middle School Hill City | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids | 16.0 mi | 8.2 |
| GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids | 16.4 mi | 7.1 |
| GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids | 16.4 mi | 4.5 |
| ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids | 16.6 mi | 7.5 |
| GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids | 17.8 mi | 7.2 |
| ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 17.9 mi | 6.7 |
| MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids | 17.9 mi | — |
| East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids | 17.9 mi | 8.6 |
| COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset | 18.9 mi | 7.3 |
| BLACKBERRY SDA SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 16.4 mi | — |
| Northland Elementary Remer | 15.1 mi | 4.4 |
| NORTHLAND SECONDARY Remer | 15.1 mi | 6.4 |
| VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine | 22.0 mi | 7.0 |
| GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine | 22.1 mi | 5.0 |
| GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine | 22.1 mi | 7.9 |
| NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Warba | 18.3 mi | 6.7 |
| LITTLE SAND Remer | 18.3 mi | — |
| KING ELEMENTARY Deer River | 24.7 mi | 8.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hill City Elementary has a median household income of $54,615. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ROCHESTER ARTS & SCIENCES ACADEMY Rochester, MN | 8.8 |
| WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. Kensington, MN | 8.8 |
| GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield, MN | 8.9 |
| RIDGEWAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Houston, MN | 8.9 |
| BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield, MN | 8.7 |
| CLIMAX ELEMENTARY Climax, MN | 8.7 |
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 is ranked #44 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Hill City Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hill City Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hill City Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hill City Elementary has 52.8% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hill City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 697-2394
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 242
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,340
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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