Average
#227 of 574 schools in SD
Top 39% in state
Hill City Middle School - 04
Middle School · Hill City School District 51-2
PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hill City
#1 of 3
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#48 of 144
In district
#1 of 3
Hill City School District 51-2
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Hill City Middle School - 04
Hill City Middle School - 04 is a rural public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 118 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to its students. Hill City Middle School has six full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to their pupils' education.
The school's academic performance places it in the 74th percentile among South Dakota middle schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.6 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 7.4 out of 10. In reading and English language arts, 65% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is 45%. These scores indicate areas where Hill City Middle School has room for academic growth.
Hill City Middle School - 04 is situated in a rural setting within Pennington County, South Dakota. The school's community environment fosters a close-knit atmosphere, providing students with strong support and engagement from teachers and peers alike.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 118 students, Hill City Middle School - 04 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 - 04 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 - 04 — Students at Hill City Middle School - 04 score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Hill City Middle School - 04 Compares
See how Hill City Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hill City Middle School - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Custer Jr. High - 05 (rated 6.9/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Custer), with a very similar rating. Another option is Southwest Middle School - 38 (rated 6.2/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, West Middle School - 37 (rated 5.2/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hill City, see our Hill City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Hill City High School - 01 Hill City | 0.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Custer High School - 01 Custer | 11.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer | 11.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Custer Elementary - 02 Custer | 11.4 mi | 7.8 |
| BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City | 9.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 Nemo | 19.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City | 16.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City | 16.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City | 17.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City | 17.3 mi | 4.8 |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City | 18.1 mi | 6.5 |
| South Canyon Elementary - 15 Rapid City | 17.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City | 17.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City | 17.7 mi | 5.5 |
| West Middle School - 37 Rapid City | 18.0 mi | 5.2 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI Rapid City | 18.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Black Hawk Elementary - 03 Blackhawk | 20.0 mi | 2.8 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 17.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City | 18.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood 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 Middle School - 04 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 |
|---|---|
| Elkton Jr. High - 03 Elkton, SD | 6.8 |
| Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer, SD | 6.9 |
| Ipswich Middle School - 04 Ipswich, SD | 6.5 |
| ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rapid City, SD | 6.5 |
| Baltic Middle School - 03 Baltic, SD | 7.0 |
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin, SD | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hill City Middle School - 04
What grades does Hill City Middle School - 04 serve?
Hill City Middle School - 04 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hill City Middle School - 04?
Hill City Middle School - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hill City Middle School - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at Hill City Middle School - 04 is 19.7:1. 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 - 04 rank in SD?
Hill City Middle School - 04 is ranked #227 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Hill City Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Hill City Middle School - 04 has a composite rating of 6.7 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 - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hill City Middle School - 04 has 45.3% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hill City Middle School - 04 a charter school?
No, Hill City Middle School - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hill City Middle School - 04 a Title I school?
No, Hill City Middle School - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hill City Middle School - 04?
38.1% of students at Hill City Middle School - 04 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 118
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (605) 574-3025
- 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
- #1 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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