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Needs Improvement

#2174 of 2,225 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

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Seattle

#34 of 34

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#1,192 of 1,202

In district

#32 of 34

Highline School District

About Hilltop Elementary

Hilltop Elementary is a regular public school in Seattle, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 531 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention within its diverse community. Hilltop has 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering educational growth in a large suburban setting.

The academic performance at Hilltop Elementary is currently with room for improvement, as reflected by a MySchoolScout rating of 1.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2196 out of 2261 schools in Washington. The school’s test scores indicate that 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 16% in Math, and 23% in Science. Hilltop Elementary is situated in a suburban area where it plays an important role in the local community.

While the immediate neighborhood around the school lacks detailed data, Hilltop remains committed to supporting its students' development and academic journey.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Elementary is 21.2:1, 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 Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.2%
Math vs. State Avg-38.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,077

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 15.8%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
26%
ELA
37%
2022
ELA
22%
2024
Math
13.3%
ELA
15.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Hilltop Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in WA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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. Rising Star Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Impact | Salish Sea Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beverly Park Elem at Glendale (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 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 5.1
Glacier Middle School Seatac 1.0 mi 4.6
Innovation Heights Academy Burien 0.9 mi 6.4
Beverly Park Elem at Glendale Seattle 1.4 mi 7.4
Impact Public Schools Tukwila 1.6 mi 5.9
Impact | Salish Sea Elementary Tukwila 1.6 mi 8.3
Rainier Prep Seattle 1.5 mi 8.9
Cedarhurst Elementary Burien 1.3 mi 6.8
Foster Senior High School Tukwila 1.6 mi 5.9
Raisbeck Aviation High School Tukwila 1.9 mi 7.9
Showalter Middle School Tukwila 1.7 mi 5.5
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien 1.8 mi 6.6
Thorndyke Elementary Tukwila 2.0 mi 5.7
Rainier View Elementary School Seattle 1.8 mi 5.8
GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien 1.9 mi 6.1
Rising Star Elementary School Seattle 2.6 mi 9.4
Concord International School Seattle 2.4 mi 6.0
Highline High School Burien 2.3 mi 3.7
Hazel Valley Elementary Burien 1.9 mi 4.5
Wing Luke Elementary School Seattle 2.7 mi 5.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hilltop Elementary has a median household income of $84,937. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,600, with a median rent of $1,724/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Midway Elementary Des Moines, WA 3.3
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup, WA 3.6
Karshner Elementary Puyallup, WA 3.6
Millennium Elementary School Kent, WA 3.6
Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood, WA 3.7
Parkside Elementary Des Moines, WA 3.7

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 is ranked #2174 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Hilltop Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilltop Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Hilltop Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hilltop Elementary has 15.8% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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