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Below Average

#1141 of 1,356 schools in AL

Hillcrest Middle School

Middle School · Tuscaloosa County

401 Hillcrest School Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,141 of 1,356

In Tuscaloosa

#20 of 23

public schools

In district

#27 of 35

Tuscaloosa County

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Hillcrest Middle School

4.6/10

Middle School in Tuscaloosa · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hillcrest High School

3.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Taylorville Primary School

7.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hillcrest Middle School

Hillcrest Middle School is a public middle school in Tuscaloosa, AL, part of Tuscaloosa County. Hillcrest Middle School serves approximately 545 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,141 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Middle School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • AL avg 5.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,564
Chronic Absenteeism17.2%

Hillcrest Middle School — Students at Hillcrest Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Hillcrest Middle School Compares

See how Hillcrest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in AL
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

401 Hillcrest School Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle (rated 8.4/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Duncanville Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Duncanville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Westlawn Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 5.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillcrest High School Tuscaloosa 0.2 mi 3.9
Taylorville Primary School Tuscaloosa 0.7 mi 7.8
BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 1.3 mi 5.6
Englewood Elementary School Tuscaloosa 1.8 mi 7.0
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.6 mi 6.9
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 2.9 mi 8.5
Southview Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.7 mi 6.4
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.2 mi 7.5
Maxwell Elementary School Duncanville 3.6 mi 7.5
Central High School Tuscaloosa 4.6 mi 5.8
Woodland Forrest Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.1 mi 6.9
Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.6 mi 7.4
Duncanville Middle School Duncanville 4.3 mi 5.2
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 5.0 mi 6.2
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa 5.0 mi 4.5
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa 5.1 mi 7.0
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 5.6 mi 6.8
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 5.7 mi 9.5
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 5.8 mi 8.4
Arcadia Elementary School Tuscaloosa 5.5 mi 6.2

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chapman Middle School Huntsville, AL 4.5
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa, AL 4.5
Eastwood Middle School Cottondale, AL 4.7
CL Scarborough Model Middle School Mobile, AL 4.4
Douglas Middle School Douglas, AL 4.4
Evelyn D Houston Elementary School Talladega, AL 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Middle School

What grades does Hillcrest Middle School serve?

Hillcrest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Middle School?

Hillcrest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Middle School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest Middle School rank in AL?

Hillcrest Middle School ranks #1,141 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Hillcrest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hillcrest Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Middle School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hillcrest Middle School a charter school?

No, Hillcrest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hillcrest Middle School a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Middle School?

73.8% of students at Hillcrest Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Tuscaloosa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

District

Tuscaloosa County
District Enrollment
19,228
Schools in District
36
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,564
District Rank
#27 of 35

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