Below Average
#535 of 574 schools in SD
Hill City Elementary - 02
Elementary School · Hill City School District 51-2
PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hill City
#3 of 3
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#255 of 271
In district
#3 of 3
Hill City School District 51-2
About Hill City Elementary - 02
Hill City Elementary - 02 is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area of Hill City, South Dakota. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 236 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10, placing it at the 33rd percentile among South Dakota schools.
Academically, Hill City Elementary - 02 has a score of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks as the 394th best school in the state. In reading and ELA, about half of the students are proficient or above, while similarly around half demonstrate proficiency in math. With room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and learning.
Located in a rural setting, Hill City Elementary - 02 is part of Pennington County and serves its local community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hill City Elementary - 02 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 - 02 — Students at Hill City Elementary - 02 score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD 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: 2.5/10.
How Hill City Elementary - 02 Compares
See how Hill City Elementary - 02 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hill City Elementary - 02 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME (rated 8.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer Elementary - 02 (rated 7.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hill City, see our Hill City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57745 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,089
Median Home Value
$323,500
Median Rent
$1,016/mo
Population
1,784
College Educated
34.2%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hill City Elementary - 02 has a median household income of $90,089. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $323,500, with a median rent of $1,016/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Flandreau Elementary - 04 Flandreau, SD | 4.2 |
| Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Elementary School Stephan, SD | 4.0 |
| McCook Central Elementary - 02 Salem, SD | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary - 08 Watertown, SD | 4.4 |
| Viborg-Hurley Elementary - 02 Viborg, SD | 4.4 |
| Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake, SD | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hill City Elementary - 02
What grades does Hill City Elementary - 02 serve?
Hill City Elementary - 02 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hill City Elementary - 02?
Hill City Elementary - 02 has an enrollment of approximately 236 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hill City Elementary - 02?
The student-teacher ratio at Hill City Elementary - 02 is 13.9:1. 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 - 02 rank in SD?
Hill City Elementary - 02 is ranked #535 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Hill City Elementary - 02's MySchoolScout rating?
Hill City Elementary - 02 has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Hill City Elementary - 02?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hill City Elementary - 02 has 50.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hill City Elementary - 02 a charter school?
No, Hill City Elementary - 02 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hill City Elementary - 02 a Title I school?
No, Hill City Elementary - 02 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hill City Elementary - 02?
30.5% of students at Hill City Elementary - 02 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
- County Safety
- Average (343/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 236
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 574-3015
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hill City School District 51-2- District Enrollment
- 508
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,450
- 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.
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