Excellent

#15 of 603 schools in MT

Top 2% in state

Hillcrest School

Elementary School · Harlowton K-12

PO Box 288, Harlowton, MT 59036

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

169

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Enrollment

169

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#15 of 603

In Harlowton

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Harlowton K-12

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Harlowton · grades Pre-K – 8th. 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 Harlowton, MT, part of Harlowton K-12. Hillcrest School serves approximately 169 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #15 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

How it compares2.7 pts above MT schools

9.2

This school 9.2 · Excellent
MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 169 students, Hillcrest School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Hillcrest School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress10.0Excellent50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data3

Annual Change+5.45 pts/yr

Data Period2020–2022

TrendImproving

Academics7.9Very Good30%

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

View breakdown

Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+11.4 pts

Adjusted Percentile69th

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%

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

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1

Per-Pupil Spending$19,101

Chronic Absenteeism29%

Hillcrest School — Students at Hillcrest School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.0% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 38.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)

School

State

N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*

Math

27%

ELA

37%

2021*

Math

27%

ELA

37%

2022

Math

42%

ELA

42%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Hillcrest School Compares

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

Overall Score

9.2/10

98th percentile in MT

Academic

7.9/10

Very Good

Growth

10.0/10

Excellent

Environment

8.9/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

81%

Teaching Staff

11:1 student-teacher ratio

16 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

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

29.0%

Location

PO Box 288, Harlowton, MT 59036

Nearby Schools

7 within 24.4 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Harlowton High School Harlowton	0.3 mi	70	8.3
Hillcrest 7-8 Harlowton	0.3 mi	28	—
SPRINGWATER COLONY SCHOOL Harlowton	3.7 mi	22	—
Judith Gap School Judith Gap	16.9 mi	22	—
Judith Gap 7-8 Judith Gap	16.9 mi	4	—
Judith Gap High School Judith Gap	16.9 mi	6	—
Melville School Melville	24.4 mi	25	—

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,859

Median Home Value

$186,700

Median Rent

$778/mo

Population

1,530

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

72.4%

Poverty Rate

22.7%

Median Age

47.6

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Anderson School Bozeman, MT	168	9.1
Forsyth Elementary School Forsyth, MT	143	9.3
Fort Benton School Fort Benton, MT	179	9.0
Highland Park School Miles City, MT	122	8.9
Belt School Belt, MT	195	8.8
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield, MT	168	8.8

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.