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Excellent

#158 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 2% in state

Hillcrest Elementary

Elementary School · Garvey Elementary

795 Pepper St., Monterey Park, CA 91755

Enrollment

436

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

9.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Monterey Park

#1 of 9

public schools

California elementary schools

#131 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 11

Garvey Elementary

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Hillcrest Elementary

Hillcrest Elementary serves 436 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Monterey Park, California. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with a 9.0 academic score and a 9.6 growth score. The growth figure is the clearest signal here: students are advancing well above grade-level expectations, which puts Hillcrest in rare company even among California's top schools.

The rankings back that up. Hillcrest sits at #1 of 9 elementary schools in Monterey Park and ranks #131 among 5,817 California elementary schools. Pull back further and it lands at #158 out of 9,533 California public schools across all grade levels — outperforming 98% of every public school in the state.

For a regular public school, that statewide position is exceptional. Hillcrest runs with a student-teacher ratio of 21.8 to 1. For parents comparing elementary options in Monterey Park, the local ranking is unambiguous — no other school in the city approaches this performance level.

Strong academics, high growth, and a top statewide standing make Hillcrest the clear first choice for families in the area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg+7.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+18.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,061

Hillcrest Elementary — Students at Hillcrest Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
52.3%
ELA
60.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Hillcrest Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.1/10
98th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

795 Pepper St., Monterey Park, CA 91755

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Duff Language Magnet Academy (rated 9.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Rosemead), with a very similar rating. Another option is Potrero Heights Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby South San Gabriel), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ynez Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Monterey Park, see our Monterey Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Monterey Vista Elementary Monterey Park 0.6 mi 6.7
Bitely (Arlene) Elementary Rosemead 0.9 mi 6.0
Potrero Heights Elementary South San Gabriel 0.9 mi 9.0
Garvey (Richard) Intermediate Rosemead 1.1 mi 8.9
Macy Intermediate Monterey Park 1.0 mi 8.6
ESTHER'S NEST CHILDREN'S SCHOOL Monterey Park 1.3 mi
Emerson (Ralph Waldo) Elementary Rosemead 1.3 mi 4.6
Repetto Elementary Monterey Park 1.2 mi 7.2
MONTEREY PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monterey Park 1.2 mi
Don Bosco Technical Institute Rosemead 1.3 mi
DON BOSCO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE Rosemead 1.4 mi 6.3
Schurr High Montebello 1.5 mi 7.9
Rice (Eldridge) Elementary Rosemead 1.4 mi 4.3
Duff Language Magnet Academy Rosemead 1.6 mi 9.3
Ynez Elementary Monterey Park 1.5 mi 7.4
Mark Keppel High Alhambra 1.7 mi 7.0
OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL Montebello 1.5 mi 5.0
Our Lady of The Miraculous Medal Montebello 1.6 mi
Wilcox Elementary Montebello 1.7 mi 7.2
SUNSHINE EDUCATIONAL CENTER Rosemead 1.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,362

Median Home Value

$761,900

Median Rent

$1,811/mo

Population

26,413

College Educated

31.7%

Homeownership

46.1%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest Elementary has a median household income of $74,362. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $761,900, with a median rent of $1,811/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Costa Mesa, CA 9.1
Arroyo Seco Museum Science Los Angeles, CA 9.1
Atwater Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 9.1
Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier Berkeley, CA 9.1
Canterbury Avenue Elementary Arleta, CA 9.1
Cragmont Elementary Berkeley, CA 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Elementary

What grades does Hillcrest Elementary serve?

Hillcrest Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary?

Hillcrest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest Elementary rank in CA?

Hillcrest Elementary is ranked #158 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Hillcrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Elementary has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elementary has 51.7% math proficiency and 58.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hillcrest Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hillcrest Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

64.0% of students at Hillcrest Elementary 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,397/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Monterey Park). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garvey Elementary
District Enrollment
4,266
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,535
District Rank
#2 of 11

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 methodology

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