Excellent
#240 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 6% 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
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Wales
#1 of 10
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#221 of 2,196
In district
#2 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Hillcrest Elementary School
Hillcrest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lake Wales, FL, part of the POLK. The school serves approximately 665 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 93.7th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 66% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 56% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $40,938, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
Hillcrest Elementary School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Hillcrest Elementary School — Students at Hillcrest Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 10 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: 8.6/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary School Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 59% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 55% (2021).
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. FROSTPROOF BEN HILL GRIFFIN JR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Frostproof), with a comparable rating. Another option is SPOOK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CHAIN OF LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Elementary School has a median household income of $40,938. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,100, with a median rent of $965/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, 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 |
|---|---|
| ANONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Largo, FL | 8.5 |
| ARCHIMEDEAN ACADEMY Miami, FL | 8.5 |
| BALDWIN PARK ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 8.5 |
| BESSEY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm City, FL | 8.5 |
| BROOKER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tarpon Springs, FL | 8.5 |
| COLUMBIA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City, FL | 8.5 |
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 is ranked #240 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Hillcrest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elementary School has 66.4% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Wales). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (863) 678-4216
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #2 of 155
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.
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