Below Average
#2224 of 2,648 schools in NC
Hillcrest Elementary
Elementary School · Burke County Schools
201 Tennessee Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,224 of 2,648
In Morganton
#16 of 18
public schools
In district
#24 of 26
Burke County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Hillcrest Elementary
Elementary School in Morganton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Morganton Day School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Dimensions
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillcrest Elementary
Hillcrest Elementary is a public elementary school in Morganton, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Hillcrest Elementary serves approximately 258 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,224 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 6.4
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hillcrest Elementary — Students at Hillcrest Elementary score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.8/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
201 Tennessee Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Drexel Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 3.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Salem Elementary Morganton | 4.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 3.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 4.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 5.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 5.3 mi | — |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 5.7 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,464
Median Home Value
$170,400
Median Rent
$827/mo
Population
56,201
College Educated
20.8%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
43.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Buckland Elementary Gates, NC | 4.4 |
| Fairview Elementary Rocky Mount, NC | 4.4 |
| Oakwood Elementary Yanceyville, NC | 4.4 |
| South Creek Elementary Robersonville, NC | 4.4 |
| Buies Creek Elementary Buies Creek, NC | 4.5 |
| Community School of Digital & Visual Art Durham, NC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest Elementary
What grades does Hillcrest Elementary serve?
Hillcrest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary?
Hillcrest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 258 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillcrest Elementary rank in NC?
Hillcrest Elementary ranks #2,224 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hillcrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hillcrest Elementary a charter school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillcrest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Hillcrest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest Elementary?
98.8% of students at Hillcrest Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 258
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Burke County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.3%
- Phone
- (828) 437-4258
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #24 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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