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#2192 of 3,192 schools in MI

Hillside Middle School

Middle School · Kalamazoo Public Schools

1941 Alamo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Enrollment

474

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,192 of 3,192

In Kalamazoo

#19 of 42

public schools

In district

#13 of 25

Kalamazoo Public Schools

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Hillside Middle School

5.5/10

Middle School in Kalamazoo · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Reformed Heritage Christian School

6.3/10

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

Kingwestwood Elementary School

7.2/10

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

About Hillside Middle School

Hillside Middle School is a public middle school in Kalamazoo, MI, part of Kalamazoo Public Schools. Hillside Middle School serves approximately 474 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,192 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Hillside Middle School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Hillside Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

68% of students at Hillside Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,528
Chronic Absenteeism68.4%

Hillside Middle School — Students at Hillside Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 43.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 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
60%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
21%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
21%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
18.6%
ELA
33.5%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Hillside Middle School Compares

See how Hillside Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in MI
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
68.4%

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

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 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Linden Grove Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kalamazoo, see our Kalamazoo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
REFORMED HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo 0.5 mi 6.3
KingWestwood Elementary School Kalamazoo 0.8 mi 7.2
KALAMAZOO SDA JUNIOR ACADEMY Kalamazoo 0.8 mi 6.2
Woodward Elementary Kalamazoo 1.0 mi 3.7
Northglade Montessori School Kalamazoo 1.1 mi 6.7
Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo 1.1 mi 5.2
ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kalamazoo 1.4 mi 6.7
El Sol Elementary Kalamazoo 1.7 mi 6.1
Phoenix Alternative High School Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 6.8
Transition Services Kalamazoo 1.9 mi
Lincoln International Studies School Kalamazoo 1.6 mi 4.3
Arcadia Elementary School Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 3.9
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Kalamazoo 2.2 mi 5.7
Kalamazoo RESA West CampusYoung Adult Program Kalamazoo 1.7 mi 5.6
Linden Grove Middle School Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 6.4
Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo 2.1 mi 5.2
KAZOO SCHOOL Kalamazoo 2.4 mi 8.2
Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 6.6
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts Kalamazoo 2.3 mi 6.7
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalamazoo 2.3 mi 8.2

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alger Middle School Grand Rapids, MI 5.5
Brandon Middle School Ortonville, MI 5.5
Farwell Middle School Farwell, MI 5.5
Fort Gratiot Middle School Fort Gratiot, MI 5.5
Hart Middle School Hart, MI 5.5
Holland Middle School Holland, MI 5.5

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

What is Hillside Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillside Middle 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 Hillside Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillside Middle School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
68.4%

District

Kalamazoo Public Schools
District Enrollment
12,323
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,528
District Rank
#13 of 25

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