Below Average
#1191 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
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tuscaloosa
#21 of 23
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#211 of 262
In district
#27 of 35
Tuscaloosa County
About Hillcrest Middle School
Hillcrest Middle School is a regular public middle school located in a mid-size suburb of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Serving grades 6 through 8, the school has an enrollment of 545 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1, with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. Hillcrest Middle School's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.4 out of 10, placing it in the 30th percentile among Alabama schools.
The academic score reflects that 42% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while only 11% are proficient or above in math, indicating areas for academic growth and improvement. The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $60,210 and a median home value of $214,200. About 31% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 14.3%.
Hillcrest Middle School is part of a community that values education and is actively working to support its students' academic and personal development. Hillcrest Middle School is nestled in a vibrant suburban area that offers a mix of residential and commercial spaces, providing a supportive environment for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hillcrest Middle School — Students at Hillcrest Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
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: 4.1/10.
How Hillcrest Middle School Compares
See how Hillcrest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 11% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 43% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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 6.0/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westlawn Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Duncanville Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Duncanville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| CL Scarborough Model Middle School Mobile, AL | 4.7 |
| McKee Middle School Montgomery, AL | 4.7 |
| Moulton Middle School Moulton, AL | 4.7 |
| North Jefferson Middle School Kimberly, AL | 4.7 |
| Rudd Middle School Pinson, AL | 4.7 |
| Sumiton Middle School Sumiton, AL | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #1191 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Hillcrest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Middle School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Middle School has 20.7% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,289/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tuscaloosa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (205) 342-2820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa County- District Enrollment
- 19,228
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #27 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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