Schools in Zip Code 29040

Zip code 29040 in Dalzell, South Carolina, is served by a single middle school, Hillcrest Middle, which educates 365 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Sumter 01 district.

For parents considering Hillcrest Middle, the most striking finding is its perfect 100% proficiency rate on the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam, far exceeding the district (57.9%) and state (74%) averages. However, this likely reflects a highly selective group of advanced students rather than overall math strength, as regular math proficiency in grades 6-8 (22-39%) remains well below state averages. Encouragingly, math scores show a clear upward trajectory from 6th to 8th grade, suggesting students who stay at the school demonstrate meaningful growth. English Language Arts results are mixed, with 7th and 8th graders performing near 52% proficiency, but 6th graders lagging significantly at just 33.6%—a 19-point gap that may indicate a weaker incoming cohort or transition challenges. The school's state ranking has fluctuated, dropping to the 29th percentile (1-star) for 2025-2026 after a brief improvement to the 40th percentile the prior year.

The most critical concern is chronic absenteeism, which stands at 36.5%—64% higher than the state average of 22.3% and slightly above the district's 35.9%. This systemic issue likely suppresses academic outcomes across all subjects. With a favorable 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $13,183, resources appear adequate, yet the school consistently underperforms state averages, mirroring its district's bottom-11% ranking. For families, Hillcrest Middle offers a solid option relative to its immediate district peers, but the combination of high absenteeism, declining ELA scores in 6th grade, and overall below-average proficiency suggests families should closely monitor their child's progress and consider supplemental support, particularly in reading and math fundamentals.