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Average

#375 of 574 schools in SD

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05

Elementary School · Clark School District 12-2

1004 Hillcrest Dr, Garden City, SD 57236

Enrollment

32

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota elementary schools

#180 of 271

In district

#3 of 5

Clark School District 12-2

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 is a small rural school located in Garden City, South Dakota. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 32 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers. Set in a remote area, Hillcrest Colony Elementary focuses on providing a close-knit educational environment where each child receives individual attention.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.8 out of 10, placing it near the bottom of South Dakota’s rankings at #562 out of 586 schools, in the fourth percentile overall. Academic performance shows that only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 23% are proficient or above in math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Hillcrest Colony Elementary is committed to student development and continuous growth.

The school’s setting reflects its rural community, offering a tight-knit atmosphere where teachers and families work closely together to support each child's learning journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 32 students, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 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.

While current test scores at Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 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 Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,483

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 — Students at Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
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
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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 Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Compares

See how Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in SD
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

1004 Hillcrest Dr, Garden City, SD 57236

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clark Elementary - 02 (rated 8.0/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Clark), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 5.4/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Carpenter), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Webster Area Elementary - 03 (rated 5.3/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Webster), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garden City, see our Garden City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Clark Elementary - 02 Clark 5.6 mi 8.0
Clark High School - 01 Clark 5.7 mi 5.2
Clark Middle School - 03 Clark 5.7 mi 5.7
Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark 6.2 mi
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry 11.2 mi 4.0
Henry High School - 01 Henry 11.2 mi 6.0
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry 11.2 mi 5.1
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 17.8 mi 4.8
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter 16.9 mi 5.4
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 21.9 mi 4.0
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 21.9 mi 5.8
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake 21.9 mi 6.4
Clark Colony Elementary - 05 Raymond 18.6 mi
Florence Elementary - 02 Florence 18.2 mi 4.7
Florence High School - 01 Florence 18.2 mi 6.5
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence 18.2 mi 6.6
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 27.5 mi
Webster Area Elementary - 03 Webster 27.8 mi 5.3
Webster Area High School - 01 Webster 27.8 mi 8.0
Webster Area Middle School - 02 Webster 27.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57236 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,250

Population

103

College Educated

8.9%

Homeownership

89.7%

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

48.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has a median household income of $81,250. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Westwood Rural Elementary - 05 Britton, SD 5.6
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter, SD 5.4
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois, SD 5.4
Pleasant Valley Colony Elementary - 06 Flandreau, SD 5.8
MISSOURI VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Yankton, SD 5.2
LAKOTA WALDORF SCHOOL Kyle, SD 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05

What grades does Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 serve?

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05?

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 rank in SD?

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 is ranked #375 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has 23.2% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 a charter school?

No, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05?

90.6% of students at Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clark County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clark School District 12-2
District Enrollment
496
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,583
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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