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
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Hillcrest Elementary — Students at Hillcrest Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 53.04% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 61% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (626) 307-3371
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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