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Average

#1060 of 1,462 private schools in FL

Hillcrest Academy

School

2009 PRESIDENT ST, Palatka, FL 32177

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on FL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

74

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 11th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Palatka

#3 of 4

public schools

Florida schools

#517 of 694

About Hillcrest Academy

Hillcrest Academy serves 74 students from kindergarten through 11th grade in Palatka, Florida, offering an intimate learning environment with a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #267 out of 1,462 schools statewide and achieving an outstanding 9.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Florida schools. With just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, Hillcrest Academy provides personalized attention that allows educators to know each student individually.

The school's smaller size creates opportunities for close mentorship and tailored learning experiences that larger institutions often cannot offer. This focused approach appears to be paying dividends, as evidenced by the school's exceptional performance rankings within the state. The school serves families in the 32177 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $45,455 and median home value is $150,700.

About 22.4% of the community lives below the poverty line, while 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite economic challenges in the broader community of 26,290 residents, Hillcrest Academy continues to excel academically. Located on President Street in the town of Palatka, Hillcrest Academy stands as a strong educational option within Putnam County's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 74 students, Hillcrest Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Hillcrest Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Hillcrest Academy compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Palatka, FL

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
This School
vs
18:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
74
This School
vs
534
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.6
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 73% vs 0%
Black 24.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.7% vs 0%
Hillcrest Academy Palatka Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Hillcrest Academy (this school) 5.6
WILLIAM D. MOSELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.2
PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 5.7
MELLON LEARNING CENTER 4.7
PALATKA JR - SR HIGH SCHOOL 5.8
PUTNAM VIRTUAL FRANCHISE 4.4
JAMES A. LONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.1
THE CHILDREN'S READING CENTER 7.7
KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in FL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,080
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 41%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 74
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in FL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 73.0%
Black 24.3%
Hispanic 2.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2009 PRESIDENT ST, Palatka, FL 32177

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. PENIEL BAPTIST ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is DESERET ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Satsuma), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST JOHNS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 9.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palatka, see our Palatka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.9 mi
School Distance Rating
WILLIAM D. MOSELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 0.3 mi 6.2
PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Palatka 0.8 mi 5.7
SCHOOL OF THE HEIGHTS Palatka 0.9 mi 7.2
MELLON LEARNING CENTER Palatka 1.0 mi 4.7
PALATKA JR - SR HIGH SCHOOL Palatka 1.2 mi 5.8
PUTNAM VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Palatka 1.3 mi 4.4
JAMES A. LONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 1.6 mi 5.1
THE CHILDREN'S READING CENTER Palatka 3.2 mi 7.7
PENIEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Palatka 3.5 mi 6.4
KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 3.5 mi 8.4
BROWNING-PEARCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Mateo 4.6 mi 6.8
DESERET ACADEMY Satsuma 6.7 mi 5.8
ST JOHNS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Palatka 9.7 mi 5.2
ST. JOHNS COUNTY JAIL (DJJ) Hastings 11.1 mi
DEEP CREEK ACADEMY Hastings 11.1 mi
SOUTH WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elkton 12.6 mi 5.7
CRESCENT CITY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Crescent City 13.6 mi 6.6
Q.I. ROBERTS JR. - SR. HIGH SCHOOL Florahome 13.2 mi 8.3
INTERLACHEN JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Interlachen 14.1 mi 3.2
MIDDLETON-BURNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crescent City 15.9 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32177 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,486

Median Home Value

$158,800

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

26,046

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest Academy has a median household income of $47,486. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
CAPITAL PREPARATORY Tallahassee, FL 5.6
NORTH/CENTRAL AREA ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER Merritt Island, FL 5.6
PALM BEACH VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Palm Beach Gardens, FL 5.6
PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL 5.6
PNEUMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Miami, FL 5.6
SOUTH WALTON ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach, FL 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Academy

What grades does Hillcrest Academy serve?

Hillcrest Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 11th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Academy?

Hillcrest Academy has an enrollment of approximately 74 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Academy is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Hillcrest Academy rank in FL?

Hillcrest Academy is ranked #1060 out of 1,462 private schools in FL.

What is Hillcrest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Academy has a composite rating of 5.6 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.

Is Hillcrest Academy a private school?

Yes, Hillcrest Academy is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Hillcrest Academy a religious school?

Hillcrest Academy has a Other Religious religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,013/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 11th
Enrollment
74
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Other Religious
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
PUTNAM
Data Year
2022–2023

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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