Needs Improvement

#554 of 574 schools in SD

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05

Elementary School · Clark School District 12-2

1004 Hillcrest Dr, Garden City, SD 57236

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#554 of 574

In district

#4 of 5

Clark School District 12-2

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Shortlisting around Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05?

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

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

Elementary School in Garden City · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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

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

About Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 is a public elementary school in Garden City, SD, part of Clark School District 12-2. Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 serves approximately 32 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #554 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below district

3.0

This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
District avg 3.7
SD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 32 students, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 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.

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 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 Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data14

Annual Change-4.51 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%

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

View breakdown

Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-16.9 pts

Adjusted Percentile6th

Resources & Environment6.6Average20%

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

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio16:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,583

Chronic Absenteeism3.1%

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 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 29.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 28 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

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2010

Math

64.5%

ELA

74.5%

2011

Math

49.5%

ELA

49.5%

2012

Math

49.5%

ELA

49.5%

2013

Math

69.5%

ELA

49.5%

2014

Math

10%

ELA

30%

2015

Math

10%

ELA

30%

2016

Math

10%

ELA

10%

2017

Math

10%

ELA

10%

2018

Math

10%

ELA

10%

2019

Math

10%

ELA

10%

2020*

Math

49.5%

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: 2.0/10.

How Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Compares

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

Overall Score

3.0/10

4th percentile in SD

Academic

2.3/10

Needs Improvement

Growth

2.0/10

Needs Improvement

Environment

6.6/10

Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

91%

Teaching Staff

16:1 student-teacher ratio

2 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

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

3.1%

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. Webster Area Elementary - 03 (rated 8.0/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Webster), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 (rated 6.9/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Willow Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Lake Elementary - 02 (rated 6.4/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Willow Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Garden City, see our Garden City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.8 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Clark Elementary - 02 Clark	5.6 mi	213	5.7
Clark High School - 01 Clark	5.7 mi	102	6.5
Clark Middle School - 03 Clark	5.7 mi	87	3.5
Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark	6.2 mi	20	—
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry	11.2 mi	93	4.5
Henry High School - 01 Henry	11.2 mi	54	6.1
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry	11.2 mi	53	4.1
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake	17.8 mi	32	6.9
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter	16.9 mi	42	2.3
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake	21.9 mi	150	6.4
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake	21.9 mi	56	7.9
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Willow Lake	21.9 mi	63	6.4
Clark Colony Elementary - 05 Raymond	18.6 mi	19	—
Florence Elementary - 02 Florence	18.2 mi	172	3.5
Florence High School - 01 Florence	18.2 mi	95	8.8
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence	18.2 mi	65	5.9
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake	27.5 mi	16	—
Webster Area Elementary - 03 Webster	27.8 mi	270	8.0
Webster Area High School - 01 Webster	27.8 mi	160	8.0
Webster Area Middle School - 02 Webster	27.8 mi	118	7.6

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

Median Age

48.8

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Maxwell Colony Elementary - 04 Menno, SD	43	2.9
Dawson Colony School - 20 Scotland, SD	32	2.8
Westwood Rural Elementary - 05 Britton, SD	34	2.8
McIntosh Elementary - 02 Mcintosh, SD	42	3.5
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter, SD	42	2.3
Orland Colony Elementary - 04 Montrose, SD	39	3.7

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 ranks #554 of 574 schools in SD.

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

Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.