Excellent
#411 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 11% in state
Hillcrest Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
1051 STATE ROAD 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#411 of 3,778
In Lake Wales
#1 of 10
public schools
In district
#9 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Hillcrest Elementary School
Elementary School in Lake Wales · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mclaughlin Academy of Excellence
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Endtime Christian School of Excellence
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillcrest Elementary School
Hillcrest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lake Wales, FL, part of POLK. Hillcrest Elementary School serves approximately 665 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #411 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Elementary School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Hillcrest Elementary School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hillcrest Elementary School — Students at Hillcrest Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary School Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1051 STATE ROAD 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CHAIN OF LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), with a comparable rating. Another option is DALE R FAIR BABSON PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Babson Park), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CANAAN ACADEMY (rated 6.0/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Wales, see our Lake Wales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33853 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,938
Median Home Value
$198,100
Median Rent
$965/mo
Population
12,385
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
55.8%
Avg Commute
24.8 min
Poverty Rate
23.8%
Median Age
37.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHOCACHATTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooksville, FL | 8.6 |
| CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.6 |
| CYPRESS TRAILS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Royal Palm Beach, FL | 8.6 |
| ELBRIDGE GALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wellington, FL | 8.6 |
| FISHWEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 8.6 |
| FOREST LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oldsmar, FL | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest Elementary School
What grades does Hillcrest Elementary School serve?
Hillcrest Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary School?
Hillcrest Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 665 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest Elementary School rank in FL?
Hillcrest Elementary School ranks #411 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Hillcrest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Hillcrest Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Hillcrest Elementary School a charter school?
Yes, Hillcrest Elementary School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Hillcrest Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Elementary School?
59.5% of students at Hillcrest Elementary School 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 665
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.6%
- Phone
- (863) 678-4216
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #9 of 155
How we rate schools
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