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Below Average

#1711 of 1,986 schools in MN

Hill City Middle School

Middle School · HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

500 IONE AVE, Hill City, MN 55748

Enrollment

67

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hill City

#3 of 3

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#193 of 280

In district

#3 of 3

HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Hill City Middle School

Hill City Middle School is a regular public school located in the remote rural setting of Hill City, Minnesota. The school serves students in grades 5 through 8 with an enrollment of 67 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. There are six full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction to these young adolescents.

Hill City Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10, placing it in the 12th percentile among Minnesota schools. Academically, the school scores an average of 3.1/10, with 40% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 27% proficient or above in math. While these numbers suggest room for academic growth, Hill City Middle School is likely focusing on student development and support within its rural community.

The school's remote location means it serves a tight-knit neighborhood where everyone knows each other well. With limited data about the surrounding area, it’s clear that Hill City Middle School plays an integral role in providing education to students who might otherwise face challenges due to their isolated setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 67 students, Hill City Middle School 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 Middle School 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,533

Hill City Middle School — Students at Hill City Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
32%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Hill City Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in MN
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

500 IONE AVE, Hill City, MN 55748

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hill City Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GREENWAY MIDDLE (rated 5.0/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), with a very similar 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 ELEMENTARY Hill City 0.0 mi 8.8
HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City 0.0 mi 7.2
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 Middle School 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
HUTCHINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL A.L.C. Hutchinson, MN 4.8
Lynd Middle School Lynd, MN 4.8
SUNRISE PARK AREA LEARNING CENTER White Bear Lake, MN 4.7
Hiawatha College Prep - Kingfield Minneapolis, MN 4.6
Success Academy Bloomington Middle Bloomington, MN 4.6
St. Cloud Math & Science Middle Saint Cloud, MN 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hill City Middle School

What grades does Hill City Middle School serve?

Hill City Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Hill City Middle School?

Hill City Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 67 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hill City Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hill City Middle School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hill City Middle School rank in MN?

Hill City Middle School is ranked #1711 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Hill City Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hill City Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hill City Middle School has 27.0% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hill City Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Hill City Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

55.2% of students at Hill City Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (493/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hill City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Aitkin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HILL CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
242
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,340
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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