Skip to main content

Average

#332 of 603 schools in MT

Hillcrest School

Elementary School · Butte Elem

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Butte

#5 of 8

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#187 of 319

In district

#5 of 7

Butte Elem

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Hillcrest School

Hillcrest School in Butte, Montana, is a regular public elementary school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 418 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1, Hillcrest provides a supportive learning environment with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance reflects solid achievement in reading and math, with 60% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 53% meeting proficiency standards in Math.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Hillcrest ranks at the 67th percentile among Montana schools, placing it as the 198th best school out of 605 across the state. Although there is no specific neighborhood data available for Butte's ZIP code 59701, Hillcrest School is situated in a remote town with a strong sense of community and tradition. Located at 111 North Montana, it offers a warm, nurturing atmosphere where students can grow both academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,930

Hillcrest School — Students at Hillcrest School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
53%
ELA
60%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Hillcrest School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in MT
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Emerson School (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boulder Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Boulder), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Margaret Leary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Butte, see our Butte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Whittier School Butte 0.6 mi 4.0
East Middle School Butte 1.2 mi 4.6
HIGHLAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butte 1.3 mi
Emerson School Butte 1.7 mi 7.3
SILVER BOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Butte 2.3 mi
Margaret Leary School Butte 2.3 mi 7.1
BUTTE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Butte 2.5 mi 5.6
Butte High School Butte 2.9 mi 4.4
BUTTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Butte 3.3 mi 7.5
West Elementary School Butte 3.6 mi 6.3
Kennedy School Butte 4.2 mi 6.8
Ramsay School Ramsay 9.8 mi 5.9
Ramsay Middle School Ramsay 9.8 mi 5.4
Divide School Divide 20.7 mi
Basin School Basin 22.6 mi
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall 20.1 mi 4.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall 20.1 mi 6.7
Whitehall High School Whitehall 20.1 mi 4.3
Melrose School Melrose 26.2 mi
Boulder Elementary School Boulder 24.6 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,799

Median Home Value

$219,200

Median Rent

$811/mo

Population

34,245

College Educated

27.3%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest School has a median household income of $56,799. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,200, with a median rent of $811/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Boulder School Billings, MT 6.1
Quentin Brown Primary K-4 Corvallis, MT 6.1
Cecelia Hazelton School Townsend, MT 6.0
Four Georgians School Helena, MT 6.0
Hawthorne School Missoula, MT 6.0
Lockwood Primary Lockwood, MT 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest School

What grades does Hillcrest School serve?

Hillcrest School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Hillcrest School?

Hillcrest School has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest School is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest School rank in MT?

Hillcrest School is ranked #332 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Hillcrest School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest School has 53.0% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hillcrest School a charter school?

No, Hillcrest School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hillcrest School a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest School?

29.7% of students at Hillcrest 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Silver Bow County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Butte Elem
District Enrollment
2,949
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,585
District Rank
#5 of 7

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 methodology

Get 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.