Average

#245 of 574 schools in SD

Top 43% in state

Hill City Middle School - 04

Middle School · Hill City School District 51-2

PO Box 659, Hill City, SD 57745

Last updated: July 2026

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

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#245 of 574

In Hill City

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Hill City School District 51-2

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Hill City Middle School - 04?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Read rating Nearby schools

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Middle School in Hill City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hill City Middle School - 04

Hill City Middle School - 04 is a public middle school in Hill City, SD, part of Hill City School District 51-2. Hill City Middle School - 04 serves approximately 118 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hill City Middle School - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #245 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Hill City Middle School - 04 show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above SD schools

6.7

This school 6.7 · Average
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 118 students, Hill City Middle School - 04 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Hill City Middle School - 04 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress7.2Very Good40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics8.3Excellent35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+12.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile75th

Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1

Per-Pupil Spending$12,450

Chronic Absenteeism11.9%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 68.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009

Math

72%

ELA

72%

2010

Math

72%

ELA

82%

2011

Math

77%

ELA

82%

2012

Math

77%

ELA

87%

2014

Math

37%

ELA

62%

2015

Math

27%

ELA

62%

2016

Math

32%

ELA

57%

2017

Math

37%

ELA

62%

2018

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2019

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2020*

Math

42%

ELA

67%

2021*

Math

42%

ELA

67%

2022

Math

47%

ELA

67%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Hill City Middle School - 04 Compares

See how Hill City Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

6.7/10

58th percentile in SD

Academic

8.3/10

Excellent

Growth

7.2/10

Very Good

Environment

3.6/10

Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

38%

Teaching Staff

20:1 student-teacher ratio

6 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

11.9%

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 7.3/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southwest Middle School - 38 (rated 7.2/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Middle School - 37 (rated 5.1/10, 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	Enrollment	Rating
Hill City Elementary - 02 Hill City	0.1 mi	236	6.8
Hill City High School - 01 Hill City	0.1 mi	154	7.1
Custer High School - 01 Custer	11.4 mi	262	7.1
Custer Jr. High - 05 Custer	11.4 mi	103	7.3
Custer Elementary - 02 Custer	11.4 mi	293	6.4
BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S HOME Rapid City	9.9 mi	36	8.2
Lead-Deadwood Career & Technical Education - 10 Nemo	19.5 mi	64	6.0
Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City	16.5 mi	665	7.2
Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City	16.5 mi	467	6.9
Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City	17.3 mi	363	7.6
Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City	17.3 mi	1,763	6.2
ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City	18.1 mi	307	6.5
South Canyon Elementary - 15 Rapid City	17.9 mi	259	4.8
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City	17.8 mi	297	3.6
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City	17.7 mi	454	6.6
West Middle School - 37 Rapid City	18.0 mi	603	5.1
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI Rapid City	18.1 mi	34	4.7
Black Hawk Elementary - 03 Blackhawk	20.0 mi	340	2.7
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City	17.9 mi	180	5.9
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City	18.1 mi	129	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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Gregory Junior High - 04 Gregory, SD	86	6.7
Kimball Middle School - 04 Kimball, SD	96	6.8
Ipswich Middle School - 04 Ipswich, SD	79	6.6
Viborg-Hurley Middle School - 03 Viborg, SD	113	6.6
ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rapid City, SD	164	6.5
Avon Middle School - 05 Avon, SD	73	7.1

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 ranks #245 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Hill City Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Hill City Middle School - 04 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Hill City Middle School - 04?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hill City Middle School - 04 has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.