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Below Average

#8020 of 9,539 schools in CA

Hilltop Middle

Middle School · Sweetwater Union High

44 East J St., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Enrollment

885

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,020 of 9,539

In Chula Vista

#55 of 62

public schools

In district

#25 of 28

Sweetwater Union High

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Hilltop Middle

4.5/10

Middle School in Chula Vista · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hilltop Drive Elementary

5.4/10

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

Hilltop Senior High

6.7/10

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

About Hilltop Middle

Hilltop Middle is a public middle school in Chula Vista, CA, part of Sweetwater Union High. Hilltop Middle serves approximately 885 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hilltop Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,020 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Hilltop Middle show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Hilltop Middle runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,647
Chronic Absenteeism22%

Hilltop Middle — Students at Hilltop Middle score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 47.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
44%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
19.4%
ELA
43%
2024
Math
19%
ELA
37.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Hilltop Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in CA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.0%

Location

44 East J St., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hilltop Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (rated 9.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear View (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chula Vista, see our Chula Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hilltop Drive Elementary Chula Vista 0.2 mi 5.4
Hilltop Senior High Chula Vista 0.4 mi 6.7
Cook (Hazel Goes) Elementary Chula Vista 0.5 mi 6.3
MONTESSORI EXPLORER ELEMENTARY Chula Vista 0.6 mi
Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter Chula Vista 1.0 mi 5.0
ST PIUS X SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.1 mi 5.9
Kellogg (Karl H.) Elementary Chula Vista 1.0 mi 6.1
Halecrest Elementary Chula Vista 1.0 mi 6.2
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.0 mi 4.9
Castle Park Elementary Chula Vista 1.2 mi 6.9
Rice (Lilian J.) Elementary Chula Vista 1.2 mi 4.9
Altus Schools South Bay Chula Vista 1.3 mi 4.3
Chula Vista Senior High Chula Vista 1.2 mi 4.9
Clear View Chula Vista 1.3 mi 8.2
BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY Chula Vista 1.4 mi
Rosebank Elementary Chula Vista 1.5 mi 5.3
Options Secondary Chula Vista 1.4 mi 6.8
MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.6 mi 7.0
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter Chula Vista 1.5 mi 9.3
Castle Park Middle Chula Vista 1.7 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,705

Median Home Value

$676,700

Median Rent

$1,930/mo

Population

77,957

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

50.6%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C. E. Utt Middle Tustin, CA 4.5
Cedar Middle Hesperia, CA 4.5
Mills Middle Rancho Cordova, CA 4.5
Mountain View Middle Beaumont, CA 4.5
Norman N. Glick Middle Modesto, CA 4.5
Portola Middle Orange, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hilltop Middle

What grades does Hilltop Middle serve?

Hilltop Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Hilltop Middle?

Hilltop Middle has an enrollment of approximately 885 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Middle is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hilltop Middle rank in CA?

Hilltop Middle ranks #8,020 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Hilltop Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilltop Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Hilltop Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hilltop Middle has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hilltop Middle a charter school?

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

Is Hilltop Middle a Title I school?

No, Hilltop Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

53.7% of students at Hilltop Middle 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
48 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
885
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.0%

District

Sweetwater Union High
District Enrollment
35,226
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,647
District Rank
#25 of 28

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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