Average
#2513 of 3,778 schools in FL
Hilltop Elementary School
Elementary School · HARDEE
2401 US HIGHWAY 17 N, Wauchula, FL 33873
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#2,513 of 3,778
In Wauchula
#6 of 7
public schools
In district
#8 of 9
HARDEE
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Hilltop Elementary School
Elementary School in Wauchula · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hardee Junior High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Wauchula Elementary School
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hilltop Elementary School
Hilltop Elementary School is a public elementary school in Wauchula, FL, part of HARDEE. Hilltop Elementary School serves approximately 264 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hilltop Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,513 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Hilltop Elementary School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Hilltop Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
45% of students at Hilltop Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hilltop Elementary School — Students at Hilltop Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72%
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
↓ 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: 4.5/10.
How Hilltop Elementary School Compares
See how Hilltop 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
2401 US HIGHWAY 17 N, Wauchula, FL 33873
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hilltop Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Zolfo Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wauchula, see our Wauchula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 0.0 mi | 6.1 |
| NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| HARDEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Wauchula | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ALANE ACADEMY Wauchula | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| PIONEER CAREER ACADEMY Wauchula | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowling Green | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs | 6.7 mi | 7.7 |
| LAKESIDE NEUROLOGIC Wauchula | 6.8 mi | — |
| LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Meade | 11.0 mi | 6.8 |
| FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fort Meade | 12.3 mi | 6.7 |
| HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow | 20.1 mi | 4.5 |
| POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow | 20.3 mi | — |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow | 20.3 mi | 5.2 |
| COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow | 20.3 mi | 4.4 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow | 20.4 mi | 4.5 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow | 20.4 mi | 3.5 |
| FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow | 20.5 mi | 5.8 |
| JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow | 20.6 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33873 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,311
Median Home Value
$128,500
Median Rent
$944/mo
Population
14,162
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
27.3%
Median Age
36.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHATTAHOOCHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chattahoochee, FL | 5.4 |
| COASTAL CONNECTIONS ACADEMY Pensacola, FL | 5.4 |
| KILLARNEY ELEMENTARY Winter Park, FL | 5.4 |
| TAMPA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY MAGNET Tampa, FL | 5.4 |
| ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Anthony, FL | 5.5 |
| FIVE POINTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City, FL | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hilltop Elementary School
What grades does Hilltop Elementary School serve?
Hilltop Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hilltop Elementary School?
Hilltop Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 264 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hilltop Elementary School rank in FL?
Hilltop Elementary School ranks #2,513 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Hilltop Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hilltop Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hilltop Elementary School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Hilltop Elementary School a charter school?
No, Hilltop Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hilltop Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Hilltop Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hilltop Elementary School?
72.0% of students at Hilltop 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
- 264
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hardee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.7%
- Phone
- (863) 773-2750
Resources & Links
District
HARDEE- District Enrollment
- 4,725
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,932
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
How we rate schools
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