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Needs Improvement

#2134 of 2,228 schools in WA

Hilltop Elementary

Elementary School · Highline School District

12250 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98168

Enrollment

531

Student-Teacher

21.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,134 of 2,228

In Seattle

#121 of 123

public schools

In district

#30 of 34

Highline School District

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Hilltop Elementary

3.5/10

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

Cascade View Elementary

3.5/10

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

Glacier Middle School

3.3/10

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

About Hilltop Elementary

Hilltop Elementary is a public elementary school in Seattle, WA, part of Highline School District. Hilltop Elementary serves approximately 531 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Hilltop Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,134 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Hilltop Elementary show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Hilltop Elementary runs 21.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

41% of students at Hilltop Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,594
Chronic Absenteeism41.2%

Hilltop Elementary — Students at Hilltop Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 34.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
45%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
13.3%
ELA
15.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Hilltop Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in WA
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

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

12250 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98168

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hilltop Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Impact | Salish Sea Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rising Star Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wing Luke Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Cascade View Elementary Tukwila 0.9 mi 3.5
Glacier Middle School Seatac 1.0 mi 3.3
Innovation Heights Academy Burien 0.9 mi 6.8
Beverly Park Elem at Glendale Seattle 1.4 mi 5.2
Impact Public Schools Tukwila 1.6 mi 4.8
Impact | Salish Sea Elementary Tukwila 1.6 mi 7.4
Rainier Prep Seattle 1.5 mi 8.7
Cedarhurst Elementary Burien 1.3 mi 3.5
Foster Senior High School Tukwila 1.6 mi 5.2
Raisbeck Aviation High School Tukwila 1.9 mi 8.7
Showalter Middle School Tukwila 1.7 mi 5.2
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien 1.8 mi 6.6
Thorndyke Elementary Tukwila 2.0 mi 4.7
Rainier View Elementary School Seattle 1.8 mi 4.6
GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien 1.9 mi 6.1
Rising Star Elementary School Seattle 2.6 mi 7.2
Concord International School Seattle 2.4 mi 3.4
Highline High School Burien 2.3 mi 3.3
Hazel Valley Elementary Burien 1.9 mi 4.0
Wing Luke Elementary School Seattle 2.7 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98168 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,937

Median Home Value

$500,600

Median Rent

$1,724/mo

Population

34,814

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

53.2%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

38

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cascade View Elementary Tukwila, WA 3.5
Cedarhurst Elementary Burien, WA 3.5
Kent Elementary School Kent, WA 3.5
Olympic View Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.5
Parkside Elementary Des Moines, WA 3.5
Pine Tree Elementary School Kent, WA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hilltop Elementary

What grades does Hilltop Elementary serve?

Hilltop Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hilltop Elementary?

Hilltop Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 531 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Elementary is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hilltop Elementary rank in WA?

Hilltop Elementary ranks #2,134 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Hilltop Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilltop Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Hilltop Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hilltop Elementary has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hilltop Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hilltop Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hilltop Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

76.8% of students at Hilltop Elementary 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
33 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

District

Highline School District
District Enrollment
17,823
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,594
District Rank
#30 of 34

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