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
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hill City Middle School — Students at Hill City Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.8/10.
How Hill City Middle School Compares
See how Hill City Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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.
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
- 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
- #3 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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