Average
#603 of 1,294 schools in KS
Top 47% in state
Hillcrest Elem
Elementary School · Lawrence · Lawrence, KS
A Lawrence elementary school where students score 8 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1045 Hilltop Dr, Lawrence, KS 66044
- Math 38% proficient (2025)
- Reading 51% proficient (2025)
- 13:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Hillcrest Elem score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
2025 KAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. KS average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 7 points since 2020, reaching 44% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 54% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 60% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
61.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Hillcrest Elem sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 78Very Walkable
- Bike 73Very Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,629/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Lawrence), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$56,340
Median home value
$228,100
Median rent
$999/mo
College educated
53.6%
Homeownership
36.5%
Poverty rate
26.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 66044; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Hill ElemEnrollment path unverified | 6.1 | K–5 | 0.7 mi | 398 | Compare → |
| Lawrence Virtual SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 4.8 | K–12 | 1.1 mi | 626 | Compare → |
| St John Catholic SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.6private | PK–8 | 1.1 mi | 247 | Compare → |
| Deerfield ElemEnrollment path unverified | 7.2 | K–5 | 1.4 mi | 469 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Lawrence
- Schools in district
- 18
- Rank in district
- #6 of 18
- District spending per student
- $12,177NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 10.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
Hillcrest Elem is listed in Lawrence; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Hillcrest Elem
Hillcrest Elem is a public elementary school in Lawrence, KS, part of Lawrence, serving approximately 415 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #603 of 1,294 schools in KS. State assessment records show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Hillcrest Elem
What grades does Hillcrest Elem serve?
Hillcrest Elem serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Hillcrest Elem?
Hillcrest Elem has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elem is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest Elem rank in KS?
Hillcrest Elem ranks #603 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Hillcrest Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Elem has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hillcrest Elem a charter school?
No, Hillcrest Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillcrest Elem a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Elem?
61.2% of students at Hillcrest Elem qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Douglas County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.5%
- Phone
- (785) 832-5720
- Area population (ZIP 66044)
- 29,052
- Area average commute
- 17.7 min
- Area median age
- 24.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 66044; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.