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
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
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
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 | 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.
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. 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (319) 656-2073
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.