Average
#2802 of 3,777 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wauchula
#4 of 7
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,885 of 2,196
In district
#6 of 9
HARDEE
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Hilltop Elementary School
Hilltop Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Wauchula, Florida. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 264 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. Hilltop Elementary focuses on providing a solid educational foundation for young learners, with average test scores showing that 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 62% in Math.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school stands at 80th percentile among Florida schools, indicating room for academic growth but also highlighting areas where the school excels. The school’s setting is rural yet close to town amenities, offering students a balanced environment that blends natural surroundings with community resources. Hilltop Elementary School is well-integrated into the local area, providing a supportive and nurturing educational experience for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hilltop Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Hilltop Elementary School — Students at Hilltop Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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 10 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: 2.2/10.
How Hilltop Elementary School Compares
See how Hilltop Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2021).
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. BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bowling Green), which scores notably higher. Another option is WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Meade), 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 | 6.8 |
| NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| HARDEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Wauchula | 2.0 mi | 3.6 |
| ALANE ACADEMY Wauchula | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| PIONEER CAREER ACADEMY Wauchula | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowling Green | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
| HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 4.0 mi | 3.1 |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 5.8 |
| HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow | 20.1 mi | 3.5 |
| POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow | 20.3 mi | — |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow | 20.3 mi | 5.1 |
| COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow | 20.3 mi | 5.2 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow | 20.4 mi | 3.9 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow | 20.4 mi | 3.8 |
| FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow | 20.5 mi | 6.4 |
| JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow | 20.6 mi | 8.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hilltop Elementary School has a median household income of $51,311. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,500, with a median rent of $944/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| CHESTER SHELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hawthorne, FL | 5.4 |
| CHARTER SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AT DAVIE Pembroke Pines, FL | 5.5 |
| LIVING FAITH ACADEMY Daytona Beach, FL | 5.5 |
| O. J. SEMMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 5.5 |
| ORANGE COUNTY PREPARATORY ACADEMY CHARTER Orlando, FL | 5.5 |
| PLATO SEMINOLE Largo, 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 is ranked #2802 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Hilltop Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hilltop Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hilltop Elementary School has 61.6% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,150/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wauchula). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (863) 773-2750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HARDEE- District Enrollment
- 4,725
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,932
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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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