Needs Improvement
#1156 of 1,176 schools in SC
Hillcrest Middle
Middle School · Sumter 01
4355 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell, SC 29040
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina middle schools
#245 of 249
In district
#22 of 24
Sumter 01
About Hillcrest Middle
Hillcrest Middle is a regular public middle school located in Dalzell, South Carolina, in Sumter County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 391 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. Hillcrest Middle focuses on providing a supportive learning environment with its 23 full-time equivalent teachers.
The academic performance at Hillcrest Middle is currently rated at the lower end, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and an overall state ranking of 1127 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 6th percentile. Students show proficiency rates of 36% in ELA/Reading and 30% in Math on average across all grades. While the school is still working to improve its academic standing, Hillcrest Middle offers a close-knit community feel in its rural setting near Dalzell.
The location provides a peaceful environment for students to grow academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hillcrest Middle 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
Hillcrest Middle — Students at Hillcrest Middle score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC 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: 2.4/10.
How Hillcrest Middle Compares
See how Hillcrest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 23% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 34% (2022).
Location
4355 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell, SC 29040
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alice Drive Middle (rated 4.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Sumter), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ebenezer Middle (rated 2.6/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Sumter), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dalzell, see our Dalzell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS SUMTER ACADEMY Rembert | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| High Hills Elementary Shaw Air Force Base | 3.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Shaw Heights Elementary Shaw Air Force Base | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Oakland Primary Sumter | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Ebenezer Middle Sumter | 3.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Cherryvale Elementary Sumter | 5.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Rafting Creek Elementary Rembert | 4.8 mi | 4.0 |
| WILSON HALL Sumter | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| West Lee Elementary Rembert | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Alice Drive Elementary Sumter | 8.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter | 8.4 mi | 4.6 |
| SUMTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sumter | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Lewis High Rembert | 7.9 mi | — |
| Willow Drive Elementary Sumter | 8.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Millwood Elementary Sumter | 9.3 mi | 4.0 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Sumter | 9.6 mi | — |
| WEDGEFIELD UNIVERSITY FOR KIDS Wedgefield | 10.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Sumter High School Sumter | 10.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter | 9.8 mi | 6.8 |
| WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sumter | 10.3 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,623
Median Home Value
$166,300
Median Rent
$970/mo
Population
8,906
College Educated
20.7%
Homeownership
71.8%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
30.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Middle has a median household income of $64,623. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,300, with a median rent of $970/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Chestnut Oaks Middle Sumter, SC | 3.3 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster, SC | 3.4 |
| Jackson STEM Magnet Jackson, SC | 3.4 |
| South Middle Lancaster, SC | 3.5 |
| Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill, SC | 3.6 |
| Palmetto Middle Mullins, SC | 2.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest Middle
What grades does Hillcrest Middle serve?
Hillcrest Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hillcrest Middle?
Hillcrest Middle has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Middle is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest Middle rank in SC?
Hillcrest Middle is ranked #1156 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Hillcrest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Middle has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Hillcrest Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Middle has 30.0% math proficiency and 35.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hillcrest Middle a charter school?
No, Hillcrest Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillcrest Middle a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Middle?
100.0% of students at Hillcrest Middle 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
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- High (1,529/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sumter County
- Phone
- (803) 499-3341
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sumter 01- District Enrollment
- 14,301
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,795
- District Rank
- #22 of 24
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.
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