Below Average
#949 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
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#949 of 1,176
In district
#10 of 24
Sumter 01
Shortlisting around Hillcrest Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Hillcrest Middle
Middle School in Dalzell · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thomas Sumter Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
High Hills Elementary
3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillcrest Middle
Hillcrest Middle is a public middle school in Dalzell, SC, part of Sumter 01. Hillcrest Middle serves approximately 391 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #949 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Middle show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 3.5
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
Hillcrest Middle 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.
30% of students at Hillcrest Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 24 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: 5.8/10.
How Hillcrest Middle Compares
See how Hillcrest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 5.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Sumter), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ebenezer Middle (rated 2.2/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Sumter), a more accessible option. 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 | 2.7 |
| Shaw Heights Elementary Shaw Air Force Base | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Oakland Primary Sumter | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Ebenezer Middle Sumter | 3.7 mi | 2.2 |
| Cherryvale Elementary Sumter | 5.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Rafting Creek Elementary Rembert | 4.8 mi | 4.2 |
| WILSON HALL Sumter | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| West Lee Elementary Rembert | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Alice Drive Elementary Sumter | 8.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter | 8.4 mi | 5.1 |
| SUMTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sumter | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Lewis High Rembert | 7.9 mi | — |
| Willow Drive Elementary Sumter | 8.8 mi | 2.1 |
| Millwood Elementary Sumter | 9.3 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blenheim Middle School of Discovery Blenheim, SC | 4.6 |
| Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle Warrenville, SC | 4.6 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia, SC | 4.5 |
| Johnsonville Middle Johnsonville, SC | 4.5 |
| Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill, SC | 4.7 |
| Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree, SC | 4.7 |
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 ranks #949 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Hillcrest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Hillcrest Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Middle has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.4%
- Phone
- (803) 499-3341
Resources & Links
District
Sumter 01- District Enrollment
- 14,301
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,795
- District Rank
- #10 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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.
See how we rateGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.