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Very Good

#16 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 10% of private schools

Hillcrest Academy

High School

1421 540TH ST SW, Kalona, IA 52247

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

64

Student-Teacher

6.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Kalona

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#3 of 14

About Hillcrest Academy

Hillcrest Academy in Kalona, Iowa serves 64 students in grades 9 through 12, making it one of the smaller high schools in the state. With 10 full-time teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking 52nd out of 157 high schools statewide and receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10.

This places Hillcrest Academy in the 68th percentile among Iowa high schools, indicating solid academic standing within the state's educational landscape. Located in Johnson County, the school draws from a community where the median household income reaches $79,476 and median home values are $244,700. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 6.7%, with 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a stable, middle-class community that values education.

Hillcrest Academy operates in a rural setting that offers students a close-knit school environment where individual attention and community connections flourish. The small size and rural location create opportunities for students to take on leadership roles and participate actively in school activities while benefiting from the personalized education that comes with such intimate class sizes.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 64 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, Hillcrest Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

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 the 2 public schools in Kalona, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
This School
vs
14.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
64
This School
vs
345
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 78.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 18.8% vs 0%
Asian 3.1% vs 0%
Hillcrest Academy Kalona Public Avg

All Schools in Kalona

School Rating
Hillcrest Academy (this school) 7.9
Mid-Prairie East Elementary School 7.2
Mid-Prairie Middle School 6.7

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 IA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,278
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 35%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 64
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 IA

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.6%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 80.7%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 78.1%
Hispanic 18.8%
Asian 3.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1421 540TH ST SW, Kalona, IA 52247

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Senior High School (rated 7.7/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Keota High School (rated 7.2/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Keota), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HILLCREST ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kalona, see our Kalona schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona 0.0 mi 6.8
Mid-Prairie High School Wellman 5.3 mi 6.7
Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy Wellman 5.3 mi
PATHWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalona 4.4 mi 3.3
Mid-Prairie West Elementary School Wellman 5.4 mi 6.2
Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Kalona 5.7 mi 7.2
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona 5.8 mi 6.7
Clear Creek Elementary School Oxford 12.7 mi 8.2
Clear Creek Amana High School Tiffin 12.9 mi 5.4
Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin 13.1 mi 6.3
Weber Elementary Iowa City 12.3 mi 4.6
Tiffin Elementary Tiffin 13.7 mi 3.1
Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin 13.9 mi 6.8
Highland Elementary School Riverside 11.8 mi 7.1
Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville 13.3 mi 5.5
Keota Elementary School Keota 14.5 mi 7.4
Keota High School Keota 14.5 mi 7.2
West Senior High School Iowa City 13.3 mi 7.7
Hills Elementary School Hills 12.9 mi 4.6
LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Williamsburg 14.0 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52247 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,140

Median Home Value

$257,400

Median Rent

$806/mo

Population

5,301

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest Academy has a median household income of $82,140. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,400, with a median rent of $806/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
SCATTERGOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL West Branch, IA 7.9
Whiting Senior High School Whiting, IA 7.8
HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona, IA 6.8
Hamburg Charter High Schools Hamburg, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Academy

What grades does Hillcrest Academy serve?

Hillcrest Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Academy?

Hillcrest Academy has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Academy is 6.7:1. 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 IA?

Hillcrest Academy is ranked #16 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Hillcrest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Academy has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Academy has 71.6% math proficiency and 80.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hillcrest Academy a private school?

Yes, Hillcrest Academy is a private coeducational school with a Mennonite 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 Mennonite religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
64
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Mennonite
School Day
7.1 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
JOHNSON
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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