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Average

#2164 of 3,192 schools in MI

Hillcrest Elementary School

Elementary School · Alma Public Schools

515 EAST ELIZABETH ST, Alma, MI 48801

Enrollment

409

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

5.5

Grades

1st – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,164 of 3,192

In Alma

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Alma Public Schools

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Hillcrest Elementary School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Alma · grades 1st – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Mary School

6.9/10

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

Pine Avenue Elementary School

5.8/10

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

About Hillcrest Elementary School

Hillcrest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alma, MI, part of Alma Public Schools. Hillcrest Elementary School serves approximately 409 students, and covers grades 1st-3rd, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,164 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Elementary School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MI avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,702
Chronic Absenteeism13.9%

Hillcrest Elementary School — Students at Hillcrest Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.9% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.9% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 30 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Hillcrest Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in MI
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

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. South Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Ithaca), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Luce Road Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 1.9 miles away), 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 5.8
Alma Senior High School Alma 1.5 mi 7.1
GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca 1.5 mi 6.5
Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma 1.8 mi 5.9
Luce Road Elementary School Alma 1.9 mi 6.0
Eugene M Nikkari Elementary Saint Louis 3.0 mi 4.2
St Louis High School Saint Louis 3.7 mi 7.0
Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis 4.1 mi 6.0
TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis 4.0 mi 4.0
St Louis Correctional Facility Saint Louis 4.3 mi
ITHACA SDA SCHOOL Ithaca 5.1 mi
North Elementary School Ithaca 5.6 mi 5.5
Ithaca High School Ithaca 5.6 mi 6.5
South Elementary School Ithaca 6.5 mi 7.2
COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ithaca 9.8 mi 5.5
Shepherd Middle School Shepherd 10.6 mi 5.6
Shepherd High School Shepherd 10.6 mi 7.8
Shepherd Elementary School Shepherd 10.7 mi 5.5
Breckenridge High School Breckenridge 9.5 mi 6.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beaverton Elementary School Beaverton, MI 5.5
Brookside Elementary School Big Rapids, MI 5.5
Clarke School Saint Joseph, MI 5.5
Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 5.5
Coopersville South Elementary School Coopersville, MI 5.5
Greyhound Intermediate School Eaton Rapids, MI 5.5

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 ranks #2,164 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Hillcrest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Elementary School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

District

Alma Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,844
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,702
District Rank
#5 of 5

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