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Excellent

#139 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 6% in state

Hillside Elementary School

Elementary School · Closter Public School District

340 Homans Avenue, Closter, NJ 07624

Enrollment

620

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#139 of 2,466

In Closter

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Closter Public School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Hillside Elementary School

8.6/10

Elementary School in Closter · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Demarest Middle School

8.3/10

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

County Road School

7.7/10

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

About Hillside Elementary School

Hillside Elementary School is a public elementary school in Closter, NJ, part of Closter Public School District. Hillside Elementary School serves approximately 620 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #139 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Hillside Elementary School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above NJ schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+7.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+30.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.9 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,671
Chronic Absenteeism9.8%

Hillside Elementary School — Students at Hillside Elementary School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

1.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 81.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
97%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
81%
2017
Math
83%
ELA
86%
2018
Math
86%
ELA
90%
2019
Math
86%
ELA
90%
2020*
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
69%
ELA
73.3%
2025
Math
78.3%
ELA
78.8%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Hillside Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
94th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

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

340 Homans Avenue, Closter, NJ 07624

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luther Lee Emerson School (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Demarest), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ralph S Maugham School (rated 9.0/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Tenafly), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edward H. Bryan (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Cresskill), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Closter, see our Closter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Demarest Middle School Demarest 0.7 mi 8.3
County Road School Demarest 1.1 mi 7.7
ACTON ACADEMY OF BERGEN COUNTY INC. Closter 1.0 mi 4.8
ACTON ACADEMY OF BERGEN COUNTY Closter 1.0 mi 5.0
Tenakill Middle School Closter 1.0 mi 7.2
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest Demarest 1.2 mi 8.3
Cresskill High School Cresskill 1.5 mi 6.1
Cresskill Middle School Cresskill 1.5 mi 8.1
Bergen County Institute for Science and Technology Paramus 1.2 mi 3.3
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY ANGELS Demarest 1.7 mi 5.1
Luther Lee Emerson School Demarest 1.4 mi 9.2
Merritt Memorial Cresskill 1.7 mi 7.6
Edward H. Bryan Cresskill 1.8 mi 8.7
EPISCOPAL CHILD CARE SERVICES Norwood 1.9 mi
Northern Valley Central Norwood 2.1 mi 5.9
Norwood Public School Norwood 2.1 mi 7.8
Alpine Elementary School Alpine 2.1 mi 6.1
Haworth Public School Haworth 1.9 mi 8.0
Tenafly High School Tenafly 2.5 mi 7.1
Ralph S Maugham School Tenafly 2.6 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$187,500

Median Home Value

$820,100

Median Rent

$2,651/mo

Population

8,544

College Educated

66.2%

Homeownership

82%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

40.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexandria Township School Pittstown, NJ 8.6
Brigantine Community School Brigantine, NJ 8.6
Crim Primary School Bridgewater, NJ 8.6
Frank R Conwell School Jersey City, NJ 8.6
Jotham W. Wakeman School Jersey City, NJ 8.6
Lincoln Elementary School Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillside Elementary School

What grades does Hillside Elementary School serve?

Hillside Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Hillside Elementary School?

Hillside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 620 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary 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 Hillside Elementary School rank in NJ?

Hillside Elementary School ranks #139 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Hillside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Hillside Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillside Elementary School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hillside Elementary School a charter school?

No, Hillside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hillside Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Hillside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillside Elementary School?

1.8% of students at Hillside Elementary 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
1.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

District

Closter Public School District
District Enrollment
1,211
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,671
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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