Average
#50 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 31% 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
5.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Kalona
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa high schools
#4 of 14
About Hillcrest Academy
Hillcrest Academy serves 64 students in grades 9 through 12 in the small community of Kalona, Iowa. This public high school offers an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a remarkable 5.9:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 11 full-time equivalent teachers. Such small class sizes allow for highly personalized attention and strong relationships between students and faculty.
The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 86th among Iowa's 157 high schools, placing it in the 46th percentile statewide. This performance reflects steady educational quality within Iowa's competitive landscape. Students at Hillcrest Academy come from a stable community where the median household income reaches $79,476 and the poverty rate remains low at just 6.7%.
The area's median home value of $244,700 indicates a well-established residential community. While 27% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the close-knit nature of this rural setting provides students with strong community connections and support. Hillcrest Academy sits in Iowa's Johnson County countryside, where the rural setting offers students a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while still maintaining access to quality education and community resources.
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 5.9:1, 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) | 6.8 |
| 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
Test score data not yet available for this school.
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 7.9/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Senior High School (rated 7.7/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Keota High School (rated 7.2/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Keota), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.9 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven, IA | 6.3 |
| WEST Academy Alternative School Newton, IA | 6.2 |
| Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient, IA | 6.1 |
| Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg, IA | 6.1 |
| West Central Charter High School Maynard, IA | 6.1 |
| Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal, IA | 5.9 |
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 5.9:1. 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 #50 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Hillcrest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 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.
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
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 64
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Mennonite
- School Day
- 6.3 hours
- Days Per Year
- 179 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
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