- Hill City Elementary - 02 — 11.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 247 students
- Hill City High School - 01 — 12.0 mi · Grades 9–12 · 158 students
- Hill City Middle School - 04 — 12.0 mi · Grades 6–8 · 115 students
| Metric | Hill City School District 51-2 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 493 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,927/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 27% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill City School District 51-2 (this district) | 7/10 | 66th | 493 |
| Lead-Deadwood School District 40-1 | 4/10 | 31st | 736 |
| Rapid City School District 51-4 | 4/10 | 30th | 12,747 |
| Custer School District 16-1 | 5/10 | 44th | 911 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 146 rated districts in SD → 66th percentile → 7/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Hill City School District 51-2
Zip code 57745 in Hill City, South Dakota is served by Hill City School District 51-2 for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K–12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Hill City School District 51-2’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Hill City School District 51-2 7 out of 10 — above average among South Dakota public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because South Dakota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Hill City School District 51-2 earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in South Dakota. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 57745
Children in zip code 57745 are assigned to Hill City School District 51-2 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 57745, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Hill City School District 51-2 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — South Dakota districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Hill City
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Hill City School District 51-2 serves zip code 57745, homes in and around zip code 57745 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In South Dakota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Hill City School District 51-2 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 57745.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Hill City School District 51-2 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 57745 data.