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Very Good

#348 of 1,014 schools in UT

Top 34% in state

Hillcrest JR High

Middle School · Murray District

178 E. 5300 S., Murray, UT 84107

Enrollment

748

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

7.0

Grades

7th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Murray

#4 of 12

public schools

Utah middle schools

#38 of 143

In district

#4 of 11

Murray District

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Hillcrest JR High

Hillcrest Jr High serves grades seven through nine in Murray, a small city in Salt Lake County. The school enrolls 748 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.7 to 1 and a full-time teaching staff of 33 educators. Academically, Hillcrest Jr High is working toward stronger performance across core subjects.

In reading and language arts, 36% of students tested proficient or above, while math proficiency stands at 31% proficient or above. Science shows somewhat stronger results, with 42% of students reaching proficiency. These scores reflect areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.

Statewide, Hillcrest Jr High ranks in the middle range among Utah's middle schools, placing at the 57th percentile. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, indicating room for academic improvement as the school works to support its students' learning. For families considering Hillcrest Jr High, the moderate class sizes and established presence in Murray provide a foundation for middle grade education in the community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest JR High is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.3%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,367

Hillcrest JR High — Students at Hillcrest JR High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.1%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.1%
School
State
N/A

Based on 7 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
31%
2025
Math
37.3%
ELA
36.3%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Hillcrest JR High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in UT
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

178 E. 5300 S., Murray, UT 84107

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillcrest JR High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Viewmont School (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Horizon School (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy for Math Engineering & Science (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Salt Lake City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murray, see our Murray schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Murray High Murray 0.2 mi 6.2
MOUNT VERNON ACADEMY Murray 0.4 mi 6.3
Parkside School Murray 0.5 mi 7.1
Mcmillan School Murray 0.8 mi 6.9
Early Childhood Center Murray 1.2 mi 5.3
Liberty School Murray 1.2 mi 4.4
Utah Virtual Academy Murray 1.4 mi 4.6
Longview School Murray 1.3 mi 6.5
VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Murray 1.1 mi
James E. Moss School Salt Lake City 1.6 mi 5.6
Horizon School Murray 1.4 mi 8.3
Viewmont School Murray 1.5 mi 8.4
Riverview Jr High Murray 1.5 mi 6.1
LA EUROPA ACADEMY Salt Lake City 1.6 mi 6.3
LA EUROPA ACADEMY Murray 1.6 mi 6.2
Grant School Murray 1.7 mi 6.5
East Midvale School Midvale 2.0 mi 4.8
Academy for Math Engineering & Science Salt Lake City 1.8 mi 7.4
Cottonwood High Salt Lake City 1.8 mi 6.3
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PARISH SCHOOL Salt Lake City 1.8 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84107 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,469

Median Home Value

$426,000

Median Rent

$1,387/mo

Population

37,548

College Educated

38%

Homeownership

47.2%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillcrest JR High has a median household income of $73,469. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $426,000, with a median rent of $1,387/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Spring Creek Middle School Providence, UT 7.0
Albion Middle Sandy, UT 6.9
Canyon View Middle Cedar City, UT 7.1
Glendale Middle Salt Lake City, UT 6.9
Millcreek Jr High Bountiful, UT 6.9
Valley View Middle Salem, UT 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillcrest JR High

What grades does Hillcrest JR High serve?

Hillcrest JR High serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Hillcrest JR High?

Hillcrest JR High has an enrollment of approximately 748 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest JR High is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillcrest JR High rank in UT?

Hillcrest JR High is ranked #348 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Hillcrest JR High's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillcrest JR High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 JR High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillcrest JR High has 31.1% math proficiency and 36.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hillcrest JR High a charter school?

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

Is Hillcrest JR High a Title I school?

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

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

47.3% of students at Hillcrest JR High 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

City Safety
High (3,623/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Murray). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Salt Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Murray District
District Enrollment
5,733
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,273
District Rank
#4 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 methodology

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