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Below Average

#3408 of 3,813 schools in IL

Hillcrest Elem School

Elementary School · SD U-46

80 N Airlite St, Elgin, IL 60123

Enrollment

492

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,408 of 3,813

In Elgin

#12 of 25

public schools

In district

#29 of 51

SD U-46

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Hillcrest Elem School

4.2/10

Elementary School in Elgin · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Thomas More Elementary School

7.5/10

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

Creekside Elem

3.0/10

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

About Hillcrest Elem School

Hillcrest Elem School is a public elementary school in Elgin, IL, part of SD U-46. Hillcrest Elem School serves approximately 492 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,408 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Elem School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Hillcrest Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,216
Chronic Absenteeism34.8%

Hillcrest Elem School — Students at Hillcrest Elem School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
14%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
15%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
10%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Hillcrest Elem School Compares

See how Hillcrest Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in IL
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.8%

Location

80 N Airlite St, Elgin, IL 60123

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Otter Creek Elem School (rated 4.8/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin 0.7 mi 7.5
Creekside Elem Elgin 1.0 mi 3.0
Larkin High School Elgin 0.8 mi 5.0
Kimball Middle School Elgin 1.1 mi 3.9
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elgin 1.3 mi 5.3
Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin 1.1 mi 2.2
Highland Elem School Elgin 1.1 mi 3.0
Illinois Park Elem School Elgin 1.4 mi
HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elgin 1.6 mi 5.9
Abbott Middle School Elgin 1.4 mi 3.2
Washington Elem School Elgin 1.6 mi 3.4
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin 2.2 mi 4.2
Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin 2.4 mi 3.8
ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin 2.1 mi 5.7
Otter Creek Elem School Elgin 3.0 mi 4.8
Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Elgin 2.3 mi 7.3
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 2.4 mi 3.2
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 2.4 mi 6.9
Willard Elem School South Elgin 3.2 mi 2.1
McKinley Elem School Elgin 2.7 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60123 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,762

Median Home Value

$242,200

Median Rent

$1,226/mo

Population

48,821

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

39.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Caledonia Elem School Caledonia, IL 4.2
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin, IL 4.2
Claremont Academy Elem School Chicago, IL 4.2
Crab Orchard Elementary School Marion, IL 4.2
De Diego Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL 4.2
Dr. C.T. Vivian Primary School Peoria, IL 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Elem School

What grades does Hillcrest Elem School serve?

Hillcrest Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Elem School?

Hillcrest Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 492 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elem School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest Elem School rank in IL?

Hillcrest Elem School ranks #3,408 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Hillcrest Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Elem School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hillcrest Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Hillcrest Elem School a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Elem School?

61.2% of students at Hillcrest Elem 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
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.8%

District

SD U-46
District Enrollment
34,553
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,216
District Rank
#29 of 51

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