Skip to main content

Very Good

#891 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 36% in state

Hillcrest School

Elementary School · Franklin Township Public School District

500 Franklin Blvd, Somerset, NJ 08873

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#891 of 2,466

In Somerset

#4 of 10

public schools

In district

#6 of 10

Franklin Township Public School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Hillcrest School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Hillcrest School

7.0/10

Elementary School in Somerset · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus

5.7/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

New Brunswick High School

3.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hillcrest School

Hillcrest School is a public elementary school in Somerset, NJ, part of Franklin Township Public School District. Hillcrest School serves approximately 452 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #891 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.4
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+4.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,781
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Hillcrest School — Students at Hillcrest School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 34.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
27.4%
ELA
28.9%
2025
Math
34.5%
ELA
31.2%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Hillcrest School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

500 Franklin Blvd, Somerset, NJ 08873

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pine Grove Manor School (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MacAfee Road School (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Livingston Park (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby North Brunswick), which scores slightly 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 5.7
New Brunswick High School New Brunswick 0.8 mi 3.7
Pine Grove Manor School Somerset 0.7 mi 8.6
MacAfee Road School Somerset 0.8 mi 8.2
Conerly Road School Somerset 1.0 mi 5.0
Mckinley Community School New Brunswick 1.0 mi 6.1
ST MATTHIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Somerset 1.2 mi 6.5
Greater Brunswick Charter School New Brunswick 1.4 mi 6.2
New Brunswick Middle School New Brunswick 1.6 mi 5.9
Blanquita B. Valenti Community School New Brunswick 1.5 mi 4.7
John Adams North Brunswick 1.9 mi 6.2
Livingston Park North Brunswick 2.0 mi 7.5
New Brunswick Adult High School New Brunswick 1.6 mi
Lincoln Elementary School New Brunswick 1.6 mi 6.8
Livingston Elementary School New Brunswick 1.8 mi 5.5
Linwood School North Brunswick 2.1 mi 5.0
North Brunswick Twp Early Childhood Center North Brunswick 2.1 mi 5.8
A Chester Redshaw School New Brunswick 1.8 mi 7.5
Parsons North Brunswick 2.0 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Avon Elementary School Haddonfield, NJ 7.0
Byram Lakes Elementary School Stanhope, NJ 7.0
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 7.0
Delaware Township School Sergeantsville, NJ 7.0
Dr. Albert M. Bean School Pine Hill, NJ 7.0
Elizabeth Haddon School Haddonfield, NJ 7.0

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 ranks #891 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Hillcrest School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

District

Franklin Township Public School District
District Enrollment
7,352
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,781
District Rank
#6 of 10

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.