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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,550

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 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
62%
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: 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.

Overall Score
6.7/10
61th percentile in SD
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hill City School District 51-2
District Enrollment
508
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,450
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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