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Average

#799 of 1,293 schools in KS

Hillcrest Elem

Elementary School · Lawrence

1045 Hilltop Dr, Lawrence, KS 66044

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lawrence

#8 of 17

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#483 of 711

In district

#8 of 18

Lawrence

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Hillcrest Elem

Hillcrest Elem is a regular public elementary school in Lawrence, Kansas, located on Hilltop Drive. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 415 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Hillcrest Elem earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and is ranked 365th out of 1,298 schools in Kansas, placing it in the 72nd percentile for academic performance.

The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 45%, while its Math proficiency stands at 37%. These scores indicate areas where Hillcrest Elem has room to grow but also reflect a dedicated focus on student development. Nestled in a small city setting, Hillcrest Elem benefits from a close-knit community that supports and engages with the school.

The neighborhood around Hillcrest Elem is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and active involvement of families and neighbors in school activities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,158

Hillcrest Elem — Students at Hillcrest Elem score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Hillcrest Elem Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in KS
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sunflower Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 4.1
Sunset Hill Elem Lawerence 0.7 mi 5.7
Lawrence Virtual School Lawrence 1.1 mi 4.6
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence 1.1 mi 7.6
Schwegler Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 4.2
Deerfield Elem Lawrence 1.4 mi 6.3
Lawrence High Lawrence 1.4 mi 5.2
VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawrence 1.6 mi 7.4
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid School Lawrence 1.4 mi 3.6
Cordley Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 7.3
New York Elem Lawrence 1.5 mi 6.5
Woodlawn Elem Lawrence 1.8 mi 4.4
Billy Mills Middle School Lawrence 2.3 mi 5.1
BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY Lawrence 2.4 mi 7.7
Quail Run Elementary Lawrence 2.3 mi 8.5
Lawrence Free State High Lawrence 2.5 mi 6.2
Lawrence Southwest Middle School Lawrence 2.9 mi 4.5
RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lawrence 2.9 mi 7.5
Sunflower Elementary Lawrence 3.0 mi 8.5
Prairie Park Elem Lawrence 3.3 mi 5.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest Elem has a median household income of $56,340. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,100, with a median rent of $999/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Brougham Elem Olathe, KS 5.8
Enterprise Elem Wichita, KS 5.8
Garfield Elem Augusta, KS 5.8
Humboldt Elementary School Humboldt, KS 5.8
Kelly Liberal Arts Academy Wichita, KS 5.8
Linn Elementary Dodge City, KS 5.8

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 is ranked #799 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Hillcrest Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Elem has a composite rating of 5.8 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?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elem has 37.0% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,629/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawrence). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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