Average

#239 of 603 schools in MT

Top 40% in state

Hillcrest School

Elementary School · Butte Elem

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#239 of 603

In Butte

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Butte Elem

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Butte · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Hillcrest School

Hillcrest School is a public elementary school in Butte, MT, part of Butte Elem. Hillcrest School serves approximately 418 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #239 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district

6.8

This school 6.8 · Average
District avg 6.1
MT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress7.3Very Good50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-3.09 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics9.0Excellent30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency53% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+11.7 pts

Adjusted Percentile85th

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1

Per-Pupil Spending$10,585

Chronic Absenteeism22.5%

Hillcrest School — Students at Hillcrest School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 65.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 74.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

89%

ELA

93%

2010

Math

81%

ELA

91%

2011

Math

86%

ELA

95%

2012

Math

84%

ELA

94%

2014

Math

62%

ELA

72%

2015

Math

63%

ELA

74%

2016

Math

58%

ELA

75%

2017

Math

63%

ELA

77%

2018

Math

59%

ELA

64%

2019

Math

59%

ELA

64%

2020*

Math

47%

ELA

57%

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: 7.3/10.

How Hillcrest School Compares

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

Overall Score

6.8/10

61th percentile in MT

Academic

9.0/10

Excellent

Growth

7.3/10

Very Good

Environment

2.3/10

Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

30%

Teaching Staff

20:1 student-teacher ratio

21 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

22.5%

Location

111 North Montana, Butte, MT 59701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitehall Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Whitehall), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boulder Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Boulder), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Whittier School (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Butte, see our Butte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.6 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Whittier School Butte	0.6 mi	394	7.0
East Middle School Butte	1.2 mi	659	5.1
HIGHLAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butte	1.3 mi	23	—
Emerson School Butte	1.7 mi	405	5.2
SILVER BOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Butte	2.3 mi	11	—
Margaret Leary School Butte	2.3 mi	361	6.5
BUTTE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Butte	2.5 mi	233	5.6
Butte High School Butte	2.9 mi	1,272	4.6
BUTTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Butte	3.3 mi	97	7.5
West Elementary School Butte	3.6 mi	489	6.6
Kennedy School Butte	4.2 mi	223	4.6
Ramsay School Ramsay	9.8 mi	121	4.4
Ramsay Middle School Ramsay	9.8 mi	45	5.7
Divide School Divide	20.7 mi	11	—
Basin School Basin	22.6 mi	19	—
Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall	20.1 mi	112	6.4
Whitehall Elementary Whitehall	20.1 mi	201	8.2
Whitehall High School Whitehall	20.1 mi	152	5.3
Melrose School Melrose	26.2 mi	5	—
Boulder Elementary School Boulder	24.6 mi	166	7.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Shepherd Elementary Shepherd, MT	371	6.8
Franklin School Missoula, MT	282	6.7
Lillian Peterson School Kalispell, MT	351	6.7
West School Laurel, MT	264	6.7
Four Georgians School Helena, MT	459	6.9
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula, MT	284	6.9

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 ranks #239 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Hillcrest School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.