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#848 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 38% in state

Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Middle School · Tacoma School District

602 N Sprague Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403

Enrollment

479

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#29 of 83

public schools

Washington middle schools

#68 of 374

In district

#21 of 62

Tacoma School District

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Hilltop Heritage Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 479 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Hilltop Heritage aims to provide personalized attention and support for each student.

Hilltop Heritage Middle School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10, reflecting its position in the lower half of schools statewide at #1662 out of 2261 schools in Washington. The academic score is 2.8/10 with proficiency rates showing that 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 23% in Math, and 34% in Science. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.

The school is situated within a mid-size city setting, providing students with access to various community resources and activities. Hilltop Heritage Middle School serves its community by offering a supportive learning environment where students can thrive academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3%
Math vs. State Avg+6.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

Hilltop Heritage Middle School — Students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.2%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 37.8%
School
State
49.0%

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
33%
ELA
44%
2022
ELA
46%
2024
Math
27%
ELA
34.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Hilltop Heritage Middle School Compares

See how Hilltop Heritage Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in WA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

602 N Sprague Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hilltop Heritage Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Washington Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bryant Montessori Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Bryant Montessori School Tacoma 0.2 mi 3.6
Bryant Montessori Middle School Tacoma 0.2 mi 8.4
Grant Elementary School Tacoma 0.3 mi 7.5
TACOMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.7
Lowell Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 6.6
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.4
Stanley Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 3.0
ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS Tacoma 1.0 mi 7.9
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.2
Bates Technical High School Tacoma 0.9 mi
THE COR DEO SCHOOL Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.6
Comm Based Trans Program Tacoma 0.9 mi 7.3
Special Services Tacoma 0.9 mi
Stadium High School Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.5
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.1 mi 6.9
Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.0
Tacoma School of the Arts Tacoma 1.1 mi 6.5
Tacoma Open Doors Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.1
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 8.7
Insight School of WA Open Doors Program Tacoma 1.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,179

Median Home Value

$737,100

Median Rent

$1,414/mo

Population

8,586

College Educated

64.4%

Homeownership

40%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hilltop Heritage Middle School has a median household income of $86,179. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $737,100, with a median rent of $1,414/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Colville Junior High School Colville, WA 6.9
McMurray Middle School Vashon, WA 6.9
Monticello Middle School Longview, WA 6.9
Goodman Middle School Gig Harbor, WA 7.0
Horizon Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 7.0
Kopachuck Middle School Gig Harbor, WA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hilltop Heritage Middle School

What grades does Hilltop Heritage Middle School serve?

Hilltop Heritage Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Hilltop Heritage Middle School?

Hilltop Heritage Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 479 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Heritage Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Heritage Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hilltop Heritage Middle School rank in WA?

Hilltop Heritage Middle School is ranked #848 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Hilltop Heritage Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilltop Heritage Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Heritage Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hilltop Heritage Middle School has 28.2% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hilltop Heritage Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Hilltop Heritage Middle School a Title I school?

No, Hilltop Heritage Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hilltop Heritage Middle School?

64.5% of students at Hilltop Heritage Middle 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

City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
479
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#21 of 62

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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