Average
#7490 of 9,533 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
5.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
885
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chula Vista
#46 of 62
public schools
California middle schools
#1,119 of 1,349
In district
#24 of 28
Sweetwater Union High
About Hilltop Middle
Hilltop Middle serves 885 students in grades 7-8 in Chula Vista, California, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1 and 39 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public middle school is currently focusing on student development, with academic performance showing room for growth across core subjects. The school's test results indicate that 38% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 19% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 26th percentile statewide, Hilltop Middle is working to strengthen its academic outcomes for the diverse student body it serves. The school draws families from the surrounding 91910 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $84,111 and median home values reach $621,200. This established neighborhood has a population of over 76,000 residents, with 27% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 11% poverty rate, reflecting a working-class community with mixed economic backgrounds.
Located on East J Street in the heart of Chula Vista, Hilltop Middle sits within San Diego County's second-largest city, providing students with the resources and opportunities that come with a large urban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Middle is 22.7:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Hilltop Middle — Students at Hilltop Middle score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA 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: 5.5/10.
How Hilltop Middle Compares
See how Hilltop Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 18.96% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 37.65% (2024).
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. Halecrest Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chula Vista Senior High (rated 7.3/10, 1.2 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 | 6.2 |
| Hilltop Senior High Chula Vista | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Cook (Hazel Goes) Elementary Chula Vista | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| MONTESSORI EXPLORER ELEMENTARY Chula Vista | 0.6 mi | — |
| Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter Chula Vista | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| ST PIUS X SCHOOL Chula Vista | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Kellogg (Karl H.) Elementary Chula Vista | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Halecrest Elementary Chula Vista | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Chula Vista | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Castle Park Elementary Chula Vista | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Rice (Lilian J.) Elementary Chula Vista | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Altus Schools South Bay Chula Vista | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Chula Vista Senior High Chula Vista | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Clear View Chula Vista | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY Chula Vista | 1.4 mi | — |
| Rosebank Elementary Chula Vista | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Options Secondary Chula Vista | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL Chula Vista | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Chula Vista Learning Community Charter Chula Vista | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Castle Park Middle Chula Vista | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hilltop Middle has a median household income of $87,705. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $676,700, with a median rent of $1,930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Bud Carson Middle Hawthorne, CA | 5.1 |
| Buena Park Middle Buena Park, CA | 5.1 |
| Daniel Lewis Middle Paso Robles, CA | 5.1 |
| Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs, CA | 5.1 |
| Foothill Middle Walnut Creek, CA | 5.1 |
| Glen Edwards Middle Lincoln, CA | 5.1 |
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 is ranked #7490 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Hilltop Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Hilltop Middle has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Hilltop Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hilltop Middle has 21.4% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,521/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chula Vista). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 498-2700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sweetwater Union High- District Enrollment
- 35,226
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,647
- District Rank
- #24 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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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