Very Good
#756 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 29% in state
Hillcrest Elementary
Elementary School · Burke County Schools
201 Tennessee Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Morganton
#4 of 18
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#630 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 26
Burke County Schools
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Hillcrest Elementary
Hillcrest Elementary is a regular public school located in Morganton, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 258 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, Hillcrest provides a relatively small class setting that allows for more personalized attention. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment.
Hillcrest Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 40th percentile among North Carolina schools, with an academic score of 3.7 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 43% in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. Situated in a small city setting, Hillcrest Elementary benefits from its location within Burke County, offering students opportunities to engage with their local community.
The school’s setting provides a supportive and close-knit atmosphere for learning and growth.
Score Breakdown
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Hillcrest Elementary — Students at Hillcrest Elementary score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Hillcrest Elementary Compares
See how Hillcrest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 51.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 37.8% (2025).
Location
201 Tennessee Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mull Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, W A Young Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 5.6 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 3.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Salem Elementary Morganton | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 5.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 5.3 mi | — |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 5.3 mi | 6.0 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 5.7 mi | 8.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest Elementary has a median household income of $53,464. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,400, with a median rent of $827/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AL-IMAN SCHOOL Raleigh, NC | 7.4 |
| CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 7.4 |
| Cumberland Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.4 |
| North End Elementary Roxboro, NC | 7.4 |
| North Harnett Primary Angier, NC | 7.4 |
| Pocosin Innovative Charter Creswell, NC | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #756 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hillcrest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hillcrest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest Elementary has 43.4% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 437-4258
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #6 of 26
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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