Average
#1457 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 46% in state
Hillside Middle School
Middle School · Kalamazoo Public Schools
1941 Alamo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalamazoo
#6 of 13
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#174 of 497
In district
#8 of 25
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Hillside Middle School
Hillside Middle School is a regular public school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Situated at 1941 Alamo Avenue, the school covers Grades 6 through 8 and serves a diverse group of 474 students with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The student-teacher ratio is 19.8:1, offering a supportive environment for middle schoolers to thrive academically and socially.
Hillside Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 1695th best school in Michigan based on state rankings. The academic performance is reflected in an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 40% and a Math proficiency rate of 28%. While these scores suggest areas for improvement, Hillside Middle School focuses on student development to help each child reach their full potential.
The school is situated in a mid-size suburb, providing students with access to community resources and activities that complement their educational experience. Hillside Middle School offers a nurturing environment where young adolescents can grow both academically and personally within the supportive neighborhood of Kalamazoo.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Hillside Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hillside Middle School — Students at Hillside Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI 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: 9.5/10.
How Hillside Middle School Compares
See how Hillside Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 18.24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 33.02% (2022).
Location
1941 Alamo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillside Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts (rated 6.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Linden Grove Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalamazoo, see our Kalamazoo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,617
Median Home Value
$198,000
Median Rent
$991/mo
Population
25,888
College Educated
44.4%
Homeownership
33.1%
Avg Commute
17.4 min
Poverty Rate
32.6%
Median Age
23.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillside Middle School has a median household income of $45,617. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,000, with a median rent of $991/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Avondale Gifted and Talented Education Rochester Hls, MI | 6.5 |
| Big Rapids Middle School Big Rapids, MI | 6.5 |
| Cramer Junior High School Essexville, MI | 6.5 |
| Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska, MI | 6.5 |
| Lowrey Middle School Dearborn, MI | 6.5 |
| Middle School East Chesterfield, MI | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillside Middle School
What grades does Hillside Middle School serve?
Hillside Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hillside Middle School?
Hillside Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Middle School is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillside Middle School rank in MI?
Hillside Middle School is ranked #1457 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Hillside Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillside Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Hillside Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillside Middle School has 28.4% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hillside Middle School a charter school?
No, Hillside Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillside Middle School a Title I school?
No, Hillside Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillside Middle School?
58.0% of students at Hillside Middle 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
- High (4,785/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalamazoo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Kalamazoo County
- Phone
- (269) 337-0570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kalamazoo Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,323
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,528
- District Rank
- #8 of 25
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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