Average
#446 of 574 schools in SD
Hillcrest Elementary - 04
Elementary School · Brookings School District 05-1
304 15th Ave, Brookings, SD 57006
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brookings
#4 of 6
public schools
South Dakota elementary schools
#213 of 271
In district
#4 of 6
Brookings School District 05-1
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Hillcrest Elementary - 04
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 is a regular public elementary school in Brookings, South Dakota, located at 304 15th Ave. Serving students from kindergarten through third grade, the school has an enrollment of 316 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Hillcrest Elementary is reflective of its commitment to supporting young learners in their early educational years.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranking 317th among South Dakota’s 586 schools, the school has room for growth but continues to focus on student development. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 51%, while in Math it stands slightly higher at 53%. These figures indicate that there are ongoing efforts to enhance academic outcomes.
Situated in a remote town setting, Hillcrest Elementary - 04 provides a close-knit community environment where students can feel supported and engaged as they start their educational journey.
Score Breakdown
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Hillcrest Elementary - 04 — Students at Hillcrest Elementary - 04 score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.6/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary - 04 Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
304 15th Ave, Brookings, SD 57006
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Elementary - 04 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Medary Elementary - 05 (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sioux Valley Elementary - 02 (rated 6.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Volga), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brookings, see our Brookings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brookings High School - 01 Brookings | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| George S. Mickelson Middle School - 02 Brookings | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Medary Elementary - 05 Brookings | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brookings | 1.2 mi | — |
| Camelot Intermediate - 06 Brookings | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Dakota Prairie Elementary - 07 Brookings | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Sioux Valley High School - 01 Volga | 7.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Sioux Valley Middle School - 04 Volga | 7.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Sioux Valley Elementary - 02 Volga | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| VOLGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Volga | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Deubrook High School - 01 White | 10.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White | 10.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Rolland Colony Elementary - 05 White | 9.7 mi | — |
| Red Willow Colony School - 09 White | 15.4 mi | — |
| Norfeld Colony Elementary - 07 White | 13.5 mi | — |
| Newdale Colony Elementary - 04 Elkton | 12.6 mi | — |
| Estelline High School - 01 Estelline | 19.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Estelline Middle School - 03 Estelline | 19.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Estelline Elementary - 02 Estelline | 19.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Deubrook Elementary - 03 Toronto | 19.3 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,818
Median Home Value
$253,700
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
23,838
College Educated
49.5%
Homeownership
52.6%
Avg Commute
12.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
28.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Elementary - 04 has a median household income of $64,818. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $253,700, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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 |
|---|---|
| Eagle Butte Upper Elementary - 03 Eagle Butte, SD | 5.1 |
| Batesland School - 01 Batesland, SD | 5.0 |
| South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City, SD | 5.0 |
| Freedom Elementary - 06 Harrisburg, SD | 5.2 |
| He Dog Elementary - 05 Parmelee, SD | 5.2 |
| Rockyford School - 03 Porcupine, SD | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest Elementary - 04
What grades does Hillcrest Elementary - 04 serve?
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.
How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary - 04?
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 316 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary - 04?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary - 04 is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest Elementary - 04 rank in SD?
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 is ranked #446 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Hillcrest Elementary - 04's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary - 04 has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Elementary - 04?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elementary - 04 has 52.8% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hillcrest Elementary - 04 a charter school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillcrest Elementary - 04 a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary - 04 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Elementary - 04?
26.9% of students at Hillcrest Elementary - 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,262/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brookings). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 316
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Brookings County
- Phone
- (605) 696-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Brookings School District 05-1- District Enrollment
- 3,446
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,811
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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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