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Average

#603 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 47% in state

Hillcrest Elem

Elementary School · Lawrence

1045 Hilltop Dr, Lawrence, KS 66044

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#603 of 1,294

In Lawrence

#6 of 17

public schools

In district

#6 of 18

Lawrence

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Hillcrest Elem

6.6/10

Elementary School in Lawrence · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lawrence West Middle School

5.1/10

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

Sunset Hill Elem

6.1/10

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

About Hillcrest Elem

Hillcrest Elem is a public elementary school in Lawrence, KS, part of Lawrence. Hillcrest Elem serves approximately 415 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #603 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Elem show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • KS avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.7% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.5% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,177
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Hillcrest Elem — Students at Hillcrest Elem score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

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 KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
37.8%
ELA
50.6%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Hillcrest Elem Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in KS
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

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

1045 Hilltop Dr, Lawrence, KS 66044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Quail Run Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cordley Elem (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Lawrence West Middle School Lawrence 0.5 mi 5.1
Sunset Hill Elem Lawerence 0.7 mi 6.1
Lawrence Virtual School Lawrence 1.1 mi 4.8
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 1.1 mi 7.6
Schwegler Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 5.7
Deerfield Elem Lawrence 1.4 mi 7.2
Lawrence High Lawrence 1.4 mi 4.3
VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawrence 1.6 mi 7.4
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School Lawrence 1.4 mi 3.8
Cordley Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 7.5
New York Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 3.0
Woodlawn Elem Lawrence 1.8 mi 5.2
Billy Mills Middle School Lawrence 2.3 mi 3.5
BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY Lawrence 2.4 mi 7.7
Quail Run Elementary Lawrence 2.3 mi 8.1
Lawrence Free State High Lawrence 2.5 mi 5.4
Lawrence Southwest Middle School Lawrence 2.9 mi 6.2
RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lawrence 2.9 mi 7.5
Sunflower Elementary Lawrence 3.0 mi 7.3
Prairie Park Elem Lawrence 3.3 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,340

Median Home Value

$228,100

Median Rent

$999/mo

Population

29,052

College Educated

53.6%

Homeownership

36.5%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

26.3%

Median Age

24.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belleville East Elementary Belleville, KS 6.6
Bluestem Elementary School Leon, KS 6.6
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence, KS 6.6
Colby Elem Colby, KS 6.6
El Paso Elem Derby, KS 6.6
Madison Elementary Gardner, KS 6.6

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

District

Lawrence
District Enrollment
10,594
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,177
District Rank
#6 of 18

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