Excellent
#15 of 603 schools in MT
Top 2% in state
Hillcrest School
Elementary School · Harlowton K-12 · Harlowton, MT
A Harlowton K-12 elementary school where students score 11 points above what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 288, Harlowton, MT 59036
- Math 42% proficient (2022)
- Reading 42% proficient (2022)
- 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Hillcrest School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MT average.
Trend
↑ ImprovingProficiency has improved 10 points since 2020, reaching 42% in 2022, across a 3-year record (2020–2022).
Show all 3 years by subject
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 32% (multi-year average, 2020-2022) · reading/ELA 39% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
80.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Hillcrest School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 45Car-Dependent
- Bike 31Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$50,859
Median home value
$186,700
Median rent
$778/mo
College educated
15.6%
Homeownership
72.4%
Poverty rate
22.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 59036; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
1 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springwater Colony SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–8 | 3.7 mi | 22 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Harlowton K-12
- Schools in district
- 3
- Rank in district
- #1 of 2
- District spending per student
- $19,101NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 25.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Hillcrest School is listed in Harlowton K-12; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Hillcrest School
Hillcrest School is a public elementary school in Harlowton, MT, part of Harlowton K-12, serving approximately 169 students in grades Pre-K-8th with a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #15 of 603 schools in MT. State assessment records show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Hillcrest School
What grades does Hillcrest School serve?
Hillcrest School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Hillcrest School?
Hillcrest School has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest School is 10.6:1. 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 #15 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Hillcrest School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).
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?
80.5% 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 169
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Wheatland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.0%
- Phone
- (406) 632-4361
- Area population (ZIP 59036)
- 1,530
- Area median age
- 47.6
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 59036; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2020-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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