Top Rankings
Hill City School District 51-2 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 508 students in Hill City School District 51-2. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in South Dakota.
Public Schools in Hill City School District 51-2 have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the South Dakota public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public school average of 33% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (SD)
# Schools
3 Schools
734 Schools
# Students
508 Students
146,041 Students
# Teachers
35 Teachers
10,645 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
Hill City School District 51-2, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 146 school districts in South Dakota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#53 out of 148 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
42%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
51%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
42%

Graduation Rate
≥90%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.46
0.53
# American Indian Students
22 Students
20,873 Students
% American Indian Students
4%
14%
# Asian Students
6 Students
2,252 Students
% Asian Students
1%
2%
# Hispanic Students
90 Students
11,917 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
8%
# Black Students
n/a
4,730 Students
% Black Students
n/a
3%
# White Students
363 Students
97,780 Students
% White Students
72%
67%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
197 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
27 Students
8,292 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
12
3,175
# Students in K Grade:
32
11,936
# Students in 1st Grade:
30
10,796
# Students in 2nd Grade:
42
10,955
# Students in 3rd Grade:
35
10,445
# Students in 4th Grade:
44
10,671
# Students in 5th Grade:
41
10,790
# Students in 6th Grade:
34
10,961
# Students in 7th Grade:
41
11,058
# Students in 8th Grade:
43
11,237
# Students in 9th Grade:
41
12,230
# Students in 10th Grade:
37
11,381
# Students in 11th Grade:
38
10,546
# Students in 12th Grade:
38
9,860
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,618 is higher than the state median of $13,121. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,435 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$1,916 MM

Spending
$6 MM
$1,844 MM

Revenue / Student
$14,618
$13,121

Spending / Student
$12,435
$12,623

Best Hill City School District 51-2 Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hill City Middle School - 04
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3025
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3025
Grades: 6-8
| 118 students
Rank: #22.
Hill City High School - 01
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
488 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3000
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3000
Grades: 9-12
| 154 students
Rank: #33.
Hill City Elementary - 02
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
341 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Hill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-3015
Grades: PK-5
| 236 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Hill City School District 51-2?
Hill City School District 51-2 manages 3 public schools serving 508 students.
What is the rank of Hill City School District 51-2?
Hill City School District 51-2 is ranked #56 out of 146 school districts in South Dakota (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of South Dakota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 5%), Highest graduation rate (Top 10%) and Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Hill City School District 51-2?
72% of Hill City School District 51-2 students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Hill City School District 51-2?
Hill City School District 51-2 has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 14:1.
What is Hill City School District 51-2's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,435 is less than the state median of $12,623. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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