Excellent
#89 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 4% in state
Hillside Elementary School
Elementary School · Montclair Public School District
54 ORANGE RD, Montclair, NJ 07042
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montclair
#2 of 8
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#59 of 1,496
In district
#2 of 11
Montclair Public School District
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Hillside Elementary School
Hillside Elementary School is a public elementary school in Montclair, NJ, part of the Montclair Public School District. The school serves approximately 581 students in grades 3rd – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.4th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 16 points above the state average and 71% in reading/language arts, 22 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $127,083, where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Hillside Elementary School — Students at Hillside Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Hillside Elementary School Compares
See how Hillside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 63% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 73% (2022).
Location
54 ORANGE RD, Montclair, NJ 07042
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charles H. Bullock School (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Edgemont Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ridgewood Avenue School (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Glen Ridge), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Montclair, see our Montclair schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL Montclair | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| FUSION ACADEMY - MONTCLAIR Montclair | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Charles H. Bullock School Montclair | 0.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Montclair High School Montclair | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| SAWTELLE LEARNING CENTER Montclair | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building Montclair | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| THE MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY Montclair | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| MONTCLAIR COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Montclair | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenfield Middle School Montclair | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Nishuane Elementary School Montclair | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Edgemont Elementary School Montclair | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Brookdale Avenue School Verona | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Laning Avenue School Verona | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Watchung Elementary School Montclair | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| MOUNT CARMEL GUILD ACADEMY West Orange | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Glen Ridge High School Glen Ridge | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| PLAYHOUSE COOP SCHOOL West Orange | 1.7 mi | — |
| Ridgewood Avenue School Glen Ridge | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Edison Middle School W. Orange | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Linden Avenue School Glen Ridge | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,083
Median Home Value
$733,100
Median Rent
$2,017/mo
Population
27,173
College Educated
67.1%
Homeownership
50.3%
Avg Commute
33.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillside Elementary School has a median household income of $127,083. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $733,100, with a median rent of $2,017/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Asher Holmes Elementary School Morganville, NJ | 8.8 |
| Central Elementary School Wall, NJ | 8.8 |
| Charles H. Bullock School Montclair, NJ | 8.8 |
| Point Road School Little Silver, NJ | 8.8 |
| Summerfield Elementary School Neptune, NJ | 8.8 |
| Warren Point Elementary School Fair Lawn, NJ | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillside Elementary School
What grades does Hillside Elementary School serve?
Hillside Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Hillside Elementary School?
Hillside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School is 13.2:1. 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 is ranked #89 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Hillside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillside Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Hillside Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillside Elementary School has 61.0% math proficiency and 70.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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?
12.7% 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montclair). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 509-4200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montclair Public School District- District Enrollment
- 6,192
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,943
- District Rank
- #2 of 11
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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