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Average

#766 of 1,363 schools in MD

Hillcrest Elementary

Elementary School · Frederick County Public Schools

1285 Hillcrest Drive, Frederick, MD 21703

Enrollment

558

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#766 of 1,363

In Frederick

#23 of 30

public schools

In district

#54 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Hillcrest Elementary

6.0/10

Elementary School in Frederick · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Sheppard Pratt School

Nearby

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

Butterfly Ridge Elementary

9.2/10

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

About Hillcrest Elementary

Hillcrest Elementary is a public elementary school in Frederick, MD, part of Frederick County Public Schools. Hillcrest Elementary serves approximately 558 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #766 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 7.3
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 9.6:1 students to teachers, Hillcrest Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.4% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)14% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,233
Chronic Absenteeism28.5%

Hillcrest Elementary — Students at Hillcrest Elementary score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 40.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
64%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
6%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
6%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
20%
2025
Math
14.4%
ELA
27.9%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Hillcrest Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
44th percentile in MD
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

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

1285 Hillcrest Drive, Frederick, MD 21703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Butterfly Ridge Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkway Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Frederick Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Frederick, see our Frederick schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick 0.0 mi
Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick 0.3 mi 9.2
FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick 0.8 mi 5.0
Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick 1.2 mi 7.1
Waverley Elementary Frederick 1.3 mi 4.6
West Frederick Middle Frederick 1.3 mi 6.7
Frederick High Frederick 1.4 mi 5.1
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick 1.8 mi 5.4
FREDERICK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Frederick 1.6 mi 7.8
Parkway Elementary Frederick 1.7 mi 7.5
THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF FREDERICK Frederick 2.2 mi
Crestwood Middle Frederick 1.9 mi 5.6
Tuscarora High Frederick 2.3 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elementary Frederick 1.9 mi 6.6
CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick 2.0 mi
Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick 2.0 mi 4.8
Ballenger Creek Elementary Frederick 2.5 mi 6.7
Tuscarora Elementary Frederick 2.8 mi 6.4
North Frederick Elementary Frederick 2.4 mi 7.5
FREDERICK BAPTIST ACADEMY Frederick 2.5 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,293

Median Home Value

$364,300

Median Rent

$1,887/mo

Population

41,766

College Educated

42.9%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dowell Elementary Lusby, MD 6.0
Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary Waldorf, MD 6.0
Fort Washington Forest Elem Fort Washington, MD 6.0
Roscoe R Nix Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.0
ST PIUS X SCHOOL Bowie, MD 6.0
St Leonard Elementary St. Leonard, MD 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest Elementary

What grades does Hillcrest Elementary serve?

Hillcrest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary?

Hillcrest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 558 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest Elementary rank in MD?

Hillcrest Elementary ranks #766 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Hillcrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hillcrest Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hillcrest Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

88.4% of students at Hillcrest Elementary 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
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Frederick County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.5%

District

Frederick County Public Schools
District Enrollment
47,681
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,233
District Rank
#54 of 67

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