Hillcrest School

Hillcrest School serves 169 students across grades PK through 8 in Harlowton, Montana, operating as a regular public school. With a student-teacher ratio of 10.6 to 1, classroom groups stay small — a structural advantage that gives students more consistent access to their teachers than many larger public schools provide. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10, rated Exceptional, and ranks 15th among 603 public schools across the state.

Hillcrest outperforms 98% of Montana schools — a result that stands out regardless of enrollment size. Academic performance comes in at 7.9 out of 10, a strong baseline, but growth is the sharper measure: a 9.9 out of 10 growth score signals that students here advance faster than nearly all peers statewide. Among Montana's 319 elementary schools, Hillcrest ranks 12th — positioning that reflects a pattern of consistent instructional outcomes rather than a single strong year.

For families comparing elementary options in Harlowton and the surrounding area, that combination of an Exceptional composite rating, top-tier growth, and a low student-teacher ratio places Hillcrest among the most competitive public elementary programs in the state.

With an enrollment of 169 students, Hillcrest School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Hillcrest School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.