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#1352 of 2,228 schools in WA

Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Middle School · Tacoma School District

602 N Sprague Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403

Enrollment

479

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,352 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#48 of 88

public schools

In district

#35 of 62

Tacoma School District

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Hilltop Heritage Middle School

5.9/10

Middle School in Tacoma · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bryant Montessori School

5.7/10

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

Bryant Montessori Middle School

5.4/10

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

About Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Hilltop Heritage Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Hilltop Heritage Middle School serves approximately 479 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Hilltop Heritage Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,352 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Hilltop Heritage Middle School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Hilltop Heritage Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

55% of students at Hilltop Heritage Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.7% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.7% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.8 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,679
Chronic Absenteeism54.5%

Hilltop Heritage Middle School — Students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below 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 32.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 43.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2010
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
46%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
33.7%
ELA
46%
2024
Math
20.8%
ELA
34.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.

How Hilltop Heritage Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in WA
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.5%

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

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. Lowell Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grant Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Washington Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably 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 5.7
Bryant Montessori Middle School Tacoma 0.2 mi 5.4
Grant Elementary School Tacoma 0.3 mi 8.3
TACOMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.7
Lowell Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 9.1
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.4
Stanley Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 4.7
ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS Tacoma 1.0 mi 7.9
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 5.5
Bates Technical High School Tacoma 0.9 mi 7.2
THE COR DEO SCHOOL Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.6
Comm Based Trans Program Tacoma 0.9 mi 7.5
Special Services Tacoma 0.9 mi
Stadium High School Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.2
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.1 mi 6.9
Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma 1.3 mi 4.2
Tacoma School of the Arts Tacoma 1.1 mi 5.2
Tacoma Open Doors Tacoma 1.3 mi 4.9
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 8.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
College Place Middle School Lynnwood, WA 5.9
Naches Valley Middle School Naches, WA 5.9
Sunset Ridge Intermediate School Ridgefield, WA 5.9
Chief Umtuch Middle Battle Ground, WA 6.0
Garry Middle School Spokane, WA 6.0
Meridian Middle School Lynden, WA 6.0

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 ranks #1,352 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Hilltop Heritage Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilltop Heritage Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Heritage Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hilltop Heritage Middle School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.5%

District

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

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