Needs Improvement
#1324 of 1,356 schools in AL
Hillcrest High School
High School · Tuscaloosa County
300 Patriot Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Enrollment
1,422
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,422
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tuscaloosa
#23 of 23
public schools
Alabama high schools
#284 of 308
In district
#32 of 35
Tuscaloosa County
About Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School serves 1,422 students in grades 9-12 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 and 77 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school is working to strengthen academic outcomes, with room for growth in core subjects — currently 28% of students achieve proficiency in English Language Arts and 20% in mathematics. The school ranks in the 26th percentile among Alabama high schools, reflecting its focus on student development and improvement efforts.
Located on Patriot Parkway in a mid-size suburban setting, Hillcrest High draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $60,210 and median home value reaches $214,200. The surrounding ZIP code of 35405 is home to nearly 49,200 residents, with 31% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.3%. This demographic mix creates opportunities for the school to serve students from varied backgrounds while working toward enhanced academic achievement.
The school operates within Tuscaloosa County's educational system, benefiting from its suburban location that provides both community stability and access to regional resources while maintaining a more intimate school environment than larger urban districts.
Score Breakdown
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Hillcrest High School — Students at Hillcrest High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL 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: 1.9/10.
How Hillcrest High School Compares
See how Hillcrest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 28% (2022).
Location
300 Patriot Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Taylorville Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,371
Median Home Value
$224,900
Median Rent
$1,057/mo
Population
48,564
College Educated
31.4%
Homeownership
55.3%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest High School has a median household income of $61,371. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,900, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| ClayChalkville High School Pinson, AL | 3.6 |
| Fort Payne High School Fort Payne, AL | 3.6 |
| Paul W Bryant High School Cottondale, AL | 3.5 |
| Pinson Valley High School Pinson, AL | 3.7 |
| Mary G Montgomery High School Semmes, AL | 3.8 |
| Jemison High School Huntsville, AL | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest High School
What grades does Hillcrest High School serve?
Hillcrest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Hillcrest High School?
Hillcrest High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest High School is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest High School rank in AL?
Hillcrest High School is ranked #1324 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Hillcrest High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest High School has 29.0% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hillcrest High School a charter school?
No, Hillcrest High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillcrest High School a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest High School?
64.1% of students at Hillcrest High School 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tuscaloosa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 77
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Phone
- (205) 342-2800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa County- District Enrollment
- 19,228
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #32 of 35
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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