Average
#1976 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
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elgin
#6 of 25
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,217 of 2,326
In district
#18 of 51
SD U-46
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Hillcrest Elem School
Hillcrest Elem School is an elementary school located in Elgin, Illinois, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With a total enrollment of 492 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Hillcrest Elem has 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering an engaging educational environment.
Hillcrest Elem School’s academic performance places it in the lower half of Illinois schools based on MySchoolScout’s ranking system and state metrics. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 11%, while Math proficiency stands at 13%. Although these scores suggest room for improvement, Hillcrest Elem focuses on student development through various support programs and community partnerships.
Situated in a mid-size city setting, Hillcrest Elem School benefits from the resources of Elgin’s bustling neighborhood. Despite limited neighborhood-specific information available, students enjoy being part of a vibrant urban environment that enhances their educational experience outside the classroom as well.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Hillcrest Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Hillcrest Elem School — Students at Hillcrest Elem School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.9/10.
How Hillcrest Elem School Compares
See how Hillcrest Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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. Otter Creek Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 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 | 6.0 |
| Larkin High School Elgin | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Kimball Middle School Elgin | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elgin | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Highland Elem School Elgin | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Illinois Park Elem School Elgin | 1.4 mi | — |
| HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elgin | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Abbott Middle School Elgin | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Washington Elem School Elgin | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Century Oaks Elem School Elgin | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Otter Creek Elem School Elgin | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Prairie Knolls Middle Sch Elgin | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Lowrie Elem School Elgin | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Willard Elem School South Elgin | 3.2 mi | 4.1 |
| McKinley Elem School Elgin | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Elem School has a median household income of $86,762. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,200, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL | 6.2 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 6.2 |
| Benjamin Elem School Bloomington, IL | 6.2 |
| Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL | 6.2 |
| Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL | 6.2 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1976 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Hillcrest Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elem School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elem School has 13.0% math proficiency and 11.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,372/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elgin). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (847) 888-5282
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SD U-46- District Enrollment
- 34,553
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,216
- District Rank
- #18 of 51
Other Schools in This District
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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