Very Good
#423 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 31% in state
Hillcrest Elementary
Elementary School · Frederick County Public Schools
1285 Hillcrest Drive, Frederick, MD 21703
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Frederick
#13 of 30
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#405 of 882
In district
#27 of 67
Frederick County Public Schools
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Hillcrest Elementary
Hillcrest Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the heart of Frederick, Maryland. Serving preschool through fifth grade students, Hillcrest has an enrollment of 558 pupils and a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from its team of 58 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Hillcrest Elementary shows room for improvement, with the school ranking in the 22nd percentile statewide.
MySchoolScout’s rating of 3.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.9 out of 10 indicate that while there are challenges in ELA/Reading (21% proficiency) and Math (13% proficiency), the school is dedicated to student development and continuous improvement. Despite the current performance metrics, Hillcrest Elementary remains a cornerstone of the community it serves. Located in a small city setting within Frederick County, Hillcrest provides a nurturing environment for young learners.
With its focus on growth and support, the school aims to help students thrive both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Hillcrest Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Hillcrest Elementary — Students at Hillcrest Elementary score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD 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: 7.5/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 22.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 34.7% (2025).
Location
1285 Hillcrest Drive, Frederick, MD 21703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Butterfly Ridge Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tuscarora Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 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 | 8.8 |
| FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Waverley Elementary Frederick | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| West Frederick Middle Frederick | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Frederick High Frederick | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| FREDERICK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Frederick | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Parkway Elementary Frederick | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF FREDERICK Frederick | 2.2 mi | — |
| Crestwood Middle Frederick | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Tuscarora High Frederick | 2.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary Frederick | 1.9 mi | 9.0 |
| CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick | 2.0 mi | — |
| Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Ballenger Creek Elementary Frederick | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Tuscarora Elementary Frederick | 2.8 mi | 8.3 |
| North Frederick Elementary Frederick | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| FREDERICK BAPTIST ACADEMY Frederick | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Elementary has a median household income of $105,293. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,300, with a median rent of $1,887/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Academy Forestville, MD | 7.3 |
| Bollman Bridge Elementary Jessup, MD | 7.3 |
| Boonsboro Elementary Boonsboro, MD | 7.3 |
| Choptank Elementary School Cambridge, MD | 7.3 |
| Cresthaven Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 7.3 |
| Freedom District Elementary Sykesville, MD | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #423 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Hillcrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elementary has 14.6% math proficiency and 22.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 25 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 28 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,084/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Frederick). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (240) 236-3200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Frederick County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 47,681
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,233
- District Rank
- #27 of 67
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 methodologyGet 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.