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Average

#2615 of 4,742 schools in NY

Hillcrest High School

High School · NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28

160-05 HIGHLAND AVE, Jamaica, NY 11432

Enrollment

2,333

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#2,615 of 4,742

In Jamaica

#31 of 48

public schools

In district

#38 of 50

NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28

Equity

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Hillcrest High School

6.0/10

High School in Jamaica · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

PS 86

7.0/10

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

Young Women's Leadership School-queens

8.5/10

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

About Hillcrest High School

Hillcrest High School is a public high school in Jamaica, NY, part of NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #28. Hillcrest High School serves approximately 2,333 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillcrest High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,615 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for Hillcrest High School show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

What's said publicly about Hillcrest High School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Hillcrest High School offers various academic support and extracurricular programs for students. The school provides ENL Science tutoring and lab make-up sessions for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics, available after school on weekdays and on select Saturdays 1 . Spring 2026 science tutoring sessions are also scheduled for these subjects 1 . The school hosts a Breakfast Club in Room 104 from 7:30 am to 8:00 am to support attendance 1 . Additionally, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) partners with the school to offer programs for grades 9–12, including leadership development, SAT prep, and college readiness, running from February 2 to June 13, 2026 1 . SAYA also hosts hangout sessions in Room 358 on Wednesdays and Thursdays 1 . The school highlights several program areas, including Global Citizens, Health Science, Pre-College, Performing & Visual Arts, Teachers of Tomorrow, Public Service & Law, and Pre-Med 1 . Recent activities include a trip to Morocco and Black History Month celebrations 1 . The school celebrated its 2024 graduates 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.hillcrestweb.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • NY avg 7.0

What Parents Should Know

Hillcrest High School is a large school: 2,333 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

45% of students at Hillcrest High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency54% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate75%
AP Participation30.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Chronic Absenteeism44.9%

Hillcrest High School — Students at Hillcrest High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 83.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 79.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2015
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2016
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2017
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2018
Math
90%
ELA
93%
2019
Math
90%
ELA
93%
2020*
Math
80%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
80%
ELA
27%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Hillcrest High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
45th percentile in NY
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
5
1 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
154 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
30.8% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
1 boys'·4 girls'·7 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

160-05 HIGHLAND AVE, Jamaica, NY 11432

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES AT YORK COLLEGE (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SCHOOL-QUEENS (rated 8.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HIGH SCHOOL FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jamaica, see our Jamaica schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.7 mi
School Distance Rating
PS 86 Jamaica 0.1 mi 7.0
YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SCHOOL-QUEENS Jamaica 0.1 mi 8.5
PS 182 SAMANTHA SMITH Jamaica 0.2 mi 7.4
QUEENS SATELLITE HIGH SCHOOL FOR OPPORTUNITY Jamaica 0.2 mi 6.2
MS 358 Jamaica 0.2 mi 7.3
QUEENS SCHOOL FOR LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE (THE) Jamaica 0.2 mi 3.2
GROWING UP GREEN CHARTER SCHOOL II Jamaica 0.4 mi 2.6
QUEENS COLLEGIATE - A COLLEGE BOARD SCHOOL Jamaica 0.4 mi 6.3
HILLSIDE ARTS & LETTERS ACADEMY Jamaica 0.4 mi 7.8
HIGH SCHOOL FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Jamaica 0.4 mi 8.2
JAMAICA GATEWAY TO THE SCIENCES Jamaica 0.4 mi 7.0
THOMAS A EDISON CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL Jamaica 0.5 mi 7.8
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL Jamaica 0.4 mi 5.7
THERESA PAPLIN SCHOOL Briarwood 0.5 mi 6.6
THERESA PAPLIN SCHOOL Jamaica 0.5 mi 6.6
QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES AT YORK COLLEGE Jamaica 0.6 mi 8.7
JHS 217 ROBERT A VAN WYCK Jamaica 0.5 mi 5.3
QUEENS GATEWAY TO HEALTH SCIENCES SECONDARY SCHOOL Jamaica 0.7 mi 7.5
PS 117 J KELD/BRIARWOOD SCHOOL Jamaica 0.6 mi 6.1
PS 131 ABIGAIL ADAMS Jamaica 0.7 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 11432 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,395

Median Home Value

$826,100

Median Rent

$1,841/mo

Population

63,730

College Educated

35.7%

Homeownership

37%

Avg Commute

43.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NIAGARA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY 6.0
SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Spring Valley, NY 6.0
HENNINGER HIGH SCHOOL Syracuse, NY 6.1
THOMAS R PROCTOR HIGH SCHOOL Utica, NY 6.1
JOHN BOWNE HIGH SCHOOL Flushing, NY 6.2
NEWCOMERS HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City, NY 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest High School

What grades does Hillcrest High School serve?

Hillcrest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hillcrest High School?

Hillcrest High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,333 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest High School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest High School rank in NY?

Hillcrest High School ranks #2,615 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is Hillcrest High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillcrest High School has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Hillcrest High School a charter school?

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

Is Hillcrest High School a Title I school?

No, Hillcrest High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillcrest High School?

82.7% of students at Hillcrest High 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
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,333
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
154
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Queens County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.9%
4-Year Graduation
75.0%

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