Average
#1709 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Hillcrest School
Elementary School · Franklin Township Public School District
500 Franklin Blvd, Somerset, NJ 08873
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Somerset
#8 of 10
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,011 of 1,496
In district
#9 of 10
Franklin Township Public School District
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Hillcrest School
Hillcrest School is an elementary school located in Somerset, New Jersey. Situated at 500 Franklin Blvd, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with a total enrollment of 452 students. Hillcrest has a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1 and employs 44 full-time equivalent teachers.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Hillcrest School ranks at the 23rd percentile among New Jersey schools, with an overall rating of 4.0 out of 10. Academically, the school has a score of 2.5/10, reflecting that there is room for growth in student performance. In recent assessments, 28% of students were proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 25% achieved proficiency or better in math.
Science proficiency stands at just 1%, indicating areas where the school can focus improvement efforts. The school is located in a large suburban area, offering students access to diverse community resources and activities. Hillcrest School serves as an integral part of Somerset’s educational landscape, fostering a supportive learning environment for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Hillcrest School — Students at Hillcrest School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ 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: 5.2/10.
How Hillcrest School Compares
See how Hillcrest School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 23% (2022).
Location
500 Franklin Blvd, Somerset, NJ 08873
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillcrest School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Conerly Road School (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MacAfee Road School (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blanquita B. Valenti Community School (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby New Brunswick), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Somerset, see our Somerset schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus Somerset | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| New Brunswick High School New Brunswick | 0.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Pine Grove Manor School Somerset | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| MacAfee Road School Somerset | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Conerly Road School Somerset | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Mckinley Community School New Brunswick | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| ST MATTHIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Somerset | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Greater Brunswick Charter School New Brunswick | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| New Brunswick Middle School New Brunswick | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Blanquita B. Valenti Community School New Brunswick | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| John Adams North Brunswick | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Livingston Park North Brunswick | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| New Brunswick Adult High School New Brunswick | 1.6 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elementary School New Brunswick | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Livingston Elementary School New Brunswick | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Linwood School North Brunswick | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| North Brunswick Twp Early Childhood Center North Brunswick | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| A Chester Redshaw School New Brunswick | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Parsons North Brunswick | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| LITTLE SPRING MONTESSORI ACADEMY North Brunswick | 2.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 08873 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,866
Median Home Value
$438,600
Median Rent
$1,942/mo
Population
55,862
College Educated
54.5%
Homeownership
67.3%
Avg Commute
33.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillcrest School has a median household income of $117,866. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,600, with a median rent of $1,942/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Aaron Decker School Butler, NJ | 5.4 |
| Alloway Township School Alloway, NJ | 5.4 |
| Ashbrook Elementary School Lumberton, NJ | 5.4 |
| BNOS ESTHER MALKA Lakewood, NJ | 5.4 |
| Canfield Avenue School Mine Hill, NJ | 5.4 |
| Edward T. Hamilton Voorhees, NJ | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillcrest School
What grades does Hillcrest School serve?
Hillcrest School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hillcrest School?
Hillcrest School has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest School is 10.3:1. 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 NJ?
Hillcrest School is ranked #1709 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Hillcrest School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillcrest School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest School has 24.9% math proficiency and 28.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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?
53.8% 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 452
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Somerset County
- Phone
- (732) 246-0170
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Township Public School District- District Enrollment
- 7,352
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,781
- District Rank
- #9 of 10
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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