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
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 — Students at Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.6%
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 Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Compares
See how Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (605) 532-3606
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clark School District 12-2- District Enrollment
- 496
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,583
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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