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Average

#809 of 1,280 schools in IA

Hills Elementary School

Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District

PO BOX 218 301 Main St, Hills, IA 52235

Enrollment

151

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#809 of 1,280

In district

#20 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Hills Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Hills · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland Elementary School

4.5/10

4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alexander Elementary

7.8/10

4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hills Elementary School

Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hills, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. Hills Elementary School serves approximately 151 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hills Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #809 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Hills Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 151 students, Hills Elementary School 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.

Hills Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Hills Elementary School — Students at Hills Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2012
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Hills Elementary School Compares

See how Hills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in IA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 218 301 Main St, Hills, IA 52235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Herbert Hoover Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alexander Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hills, see our Hills schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Elementary School Riverside 4.8 mi 4.5
Alexander Elementary Iowa City 4.9 mi 7.8
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 5.8 mi 6.2
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 6.0 mi 7.2
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 6.3 mi 7.5
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 6.5 mi 2.2
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 6.8 mi 5.3
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 6.7 mi 5.3
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 7.0 mi 5.9
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 7.1 mi 7.1
Weber Elementary Iowa City 7.0 mi 4.9
Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City 7.2 mi 5.6
West Senior High School Iowa City 7.3 mi 6.1
Iowa City High School Iowa City 7.5 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 7.9 mi 6.6
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 7.9 mi 7.6
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 7.4 mi 8.2
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 8.0 mi 6.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 8.0 mi 6.4
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City 8.0 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,875

Median Home Value

$217,800

Median Rent

$1,179/mo

Population

892

College Educated

24.2%

Homeownership

62.2%

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

41.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AGWSR Elementary School Ackley, IA 5.8
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waverly, IA 5.8
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point, IA 5.7
North Side Elementary School Hampton, IA 5.7
H-L-V Elementary School Victor, IA 5.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Liberty, IA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hills Elementary School

What grades does Hills Elementary School serve?

Hills Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Hills Elementary School?

Hills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 151 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hills Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hills Elementary School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hills Elementary School rank in IA?

Hills Elementary School ranks #809 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hills Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Hills Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hills Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hills Elementary School a charter school?

No, Hills Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hills Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Hills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hills Elementary School?

78.8% of students at Hills 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
151
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

District

Iowa City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,776
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#20 of 29

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