Below Average
#526 of 574 schools in SD
Hill City High School - 01
High School · Hill City School District 51-2
PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745
Enrollment
154
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
154
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hill City
#2 of 3
public schools
South Dakota high schools
#143 of 156
In district
#2 of 3
Hill City School District 51-2
About Hill City High School - 01
Hill City High School - 01 is a rural public high school nestled in the heart of Hill City, South Dakota. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 154 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, with 11 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention. Hill City High School's MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 reflects areas where the school is working towards improvement.
Its state ranking of 322nd out of 586 schools places it in the 45th percentile, highlighting opportunities for academic growth. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 73%, while Math proficiency is at 43%. These figures suggest that while students excel in reading and writing, there are areas in math where support could be strengthened.
Hill City High School thrives in a close-knit rural community, offering its students the benefit of small-town values and personalized education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 154 students, Hill City High School - 01 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 High School - 01 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hill City High School - 01 — Students at Hill City High School - 01 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
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: 2.4/10.
How Hill City High School - 01 Compares
See how Hill City High School - 01 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hill City High School - 01 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 (rated 7.0/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Nemo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer High School - 01 (rated 6.8/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stevens High School - 42 (rated 4.8/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores slightly 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 High School - 01 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 |
|---|---|
| Garretson High School - 01 Garretson, SD | 4.3 |
| McCook Central High School - 01 Salem, SD | 4.3 |
| Flandreau High School - 01 Flandreau, SD | 4.0 |
| Parker High School - 01 Parker, SD | 4.6 |
| Stanley County High School - 01 Fort Pierre, SD | 4.8 |
| Clark High School - 01 Clark, SD | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hill City High School - 01
What grades does Hill City High School - 01 serve?
Hill City High School - 01 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Hill City High School - 01?
Hill City High School - 01 has an enrollment of approximately 154 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hill City High School - 01?
The student-teacher ratio at Hill City High School - 01 is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hill City High School - 01 rank in SD?
Hill City High School - 01 is ranked #526 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Hill City High School - 01's MySchoolScout rating?
Hill City High School - 01 has a composite rating of 4.3 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 High School - 01?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hill City High School - 01 has 43.0% math proficiency and 72.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hill City High School - 01 a charter school?
No, Hill City High School - 01 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hill City High School - 01 a Title I school?
No, Hill City High School - 01 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hill City High School - 01?
22.7% of students at Hill City High School - 01 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 154
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 574-3000
- 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
- #2 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 methodologyGet 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.