Average
#1185 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 37% in state
Hillcrest Elementary School
Elementary School · Alma Public Schools
515 EAST ELIZABETH ST, Alma, MI 48801
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
1st – 3rd
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
1st – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alma
#3 of 5
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#696 of 1,602
In district
#3 of 5
Alma Public Schools
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Hillcrest Elementary School
Hillcrest Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the town of ALMA, Michigan. With an enrollment of 409 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, Hillcrest provides a supportive learning environment for its young scholars. The school covers grades one through three, giving it a focused mission to help children develop their foundational skills in these early years.
Hillcrest's academic performance is currently at the 52nd percentile statewide and has a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.4 out of 10. Students show proficiency rates of 40% in ELA/Reading and 33% in Math, indicating areas where additional support could enhance learning outcomes. Despite these challenges, Hillcrest is dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of each student.
The school is situated in a cozy town setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere for both students and families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Hillcrest Elementary School — Students at Hillcrest Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 8 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.3/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary School Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
515 EAST ELIZABETH ST, Alma, MI 48801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luce Road Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pine Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Ithaca), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Alma, see our Alma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARY SCHOOL Alma | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Pine Avenue Elementary School Alma | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Alma Senior High School Alma | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Luce Road Elementary School Alma | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Eugene M Nikkari Elementary Saint Louis | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| St Louis High School Saint Louis | 3.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| St Louis Correctional Facility Saint Louis | 4.3 mi | — |
| ITHACA SDA SCHOOL Ithaca | 5.1 mi | — |
| North Elementary School Ithaca | 5.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Ithaca High School Ithaca | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| South Elementary School Ithaca | 6.5 mi | 7.4 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ithaca | 9.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Shepherd Middle School Shepherd | 10.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Shepherd High School Shepherd | 10.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Shepherd Elementary School Shepherd | 10.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Breckenridge High School Breckenridge | 9.5 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,449
Median Home Value
$120,300
Median Rent
$795/mo
Population
13,433
College Educated
28.5%
Homeownership
73.6%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Elementary School has a median household income of $57,449. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,300, with a median rent of $795/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI | 6.8 |
| Cass City Elementary Cass City, MI | 6.8 |
| Central Elementary School Davison, MI | 6.8 |
| Cooke STEM Academy Detroit, MI | 6.8 |
| David Scott Elementary School Dewitt, MI | 6.8 |
| Deerfield Elementary School Novi, MI | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest Elementary School
What grades does Hillcrest Elementary School serve?
Hillcrest Elementary School serves students in grades 1st through 3rd.
How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary School?
Hillcrest Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest Elementary School rank in MI?
Hillcrest Elementary School is ranked #1185 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Hillcrest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elementary School has 33.3% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hillcrest Elementary School a charter school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillcrest Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Elementary School?
74.6% of students at Hillcrest Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,479/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 409
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Gratiot County
- Phone
- (989) 463-3111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alma Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,844
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,702
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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 methodologyRelated reading
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