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
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#16 of 157
In Kalona
#1 of 3
public schools
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Hillcrest Academy
High School in Kalona · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mid-prairie High School
5.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mid-prairie Virtual Academy
5.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillcrest Academy
Hillcrest Academy is a private high school in Kalona, IA. Hillcrest Academy serves approximately 64 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 6.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #16 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Academy show 72% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 64 students, Hillcrest Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 6.7:1 students to teachers, Hillcrest Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Hillcrest Academy is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Hillcrest Academy compares to the 2 public schools in Kalona, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Kalona
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hillcrest Academy (this school) | 7.9 |
| Mid-Prairie East Elementary School | 5.8 |
| Mid-Prairie Middle School | 6.6 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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. HILLCREST ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10), a more accessible option. Another option is Keota High School (rated 6.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Keota), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Senior High School (rated 6.1/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), 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 | 5.7 |
| 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 | 5.8 |
| Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Kalona | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona | 5.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Clear Creek Elementary School Oxford | 12.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Clear Creek Amana High School Tiffin | 12.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin | 13.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Weber Elementary Iowa City | 12.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin | 13.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin | 13.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Highland Elementary School Riverside | 11.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville | 13.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Keota Elementary School Keota | 14.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Keota High School Keota | 14.5 mi | 6.4 |
| West Senior High School Iowa City | 13.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Hills Elementary School Hills | 12.9 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
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 | 8.2 |
| Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg, IA | 7.0 |
| HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona, IA | 6.8 |
| Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal, IA | 6.4 |
| 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 ranks #16 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Hillcrest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Academy has 72% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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 County
- Phone
- (319) 656-2073
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