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Hillcrest Elementary School

Summary:

Hillcrest Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Downers Grove, Illinois, serving 358 students from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade. This exceptional school is part of the Downers Grove GSD 58 district, which is ranked 95 out of 813 districts in Illinois and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Hillcrest Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Illinois, with a statewide ranking between 68-206 over the past 5 years. The school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics are significantly higher than the district and state averages across all grade levels. In 2023-2024, Hillcrest's ELA proficiency rate for all grades was 71.7% compared to 61.5% for the district and 41.2% for the state. Similarly, its Mathematics proficiency rate was 68.6% compared to 55.3% for the district and 28.4% for the state. Hillcrest's 5th grade Science proficiency rate was an impressive 82.9% in 2023-2024, outperforming the district (76.6%) and state (53.2%). The school's male and female students, as well as its White and special education students, consistently rank among the top in the state, demonstrating the school's ability to provide equitable educational opportunities.

While Hillcrest outperforms the district and state averages, some nearby schools within the same district, such as Fairmount Elementary and Kingsley Elementary, also demonstrate strong academic performance, with proficiency rates comparable to or even exceeding Hillcrest in certain subject areas and grade levels. Additionally, Hillcrest's chronic absenteeism rate, while relatively low, has increased in recent years and could be an area of focus for improvement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 1435 Jefferson Ave
       Downers Grove, IL  60516-1236

(630) 719-5840

District: Downers Grove GSD 58

SchoolDigger Rank:
68th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,047 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  358

Racial breakdown:

White:
81.0%
Two or more races:
8.1%
Hispanic:
6.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  7.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Hillcrest Elementary School ranks better than 96.7% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks first among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Downers Grove GSD 58 School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.24. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Hillcrest Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Downers Grove GSD 58 School District.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hillcrest Elementary School is $16,047. 9 elementary schools in the Downers Grove GSD 58 School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Hillcrest Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillcrest Elementary School 68th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Hillcrest Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Downers Grove GSD 58:

SchoolDigger ranks Downers Grove GSD 58 95th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Hillcrest Elementary School?

Rank History for Hillcrest Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Hillcrest Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 90.06 33rd 2020 98.4%
2004 89.14 48th 2030 97.6%
2005 84.90 128th 2022 93.7%
2006 80.92 257th 2086 87.7%
2007 84.93 99th 2095 95.3%
2008 85.64 119th 2092 94.3%
2009 86.16 105th 2120 95.0%
2010 85.07 143rd 2139 93.3%
2011 83.47 204th 2147 90.5%
2012 83.45 211th 2166 90.3%
2013 91.93 87th 2167 96.0%
2014 87.91 191st 2093 90.9%
2015 71.81 498th 2052 75.7%
2016 72.45 506th 2046 75.3%
2017 69.29 584th 2044 71.4%
2018 71.68 529th 2037 74.0%
2019 75.93 438th 2086 79.0%
2021 81.30 313th 1948 83.9%
2022 88.99 206th 2082 90.1%
2023 95.34 81st 2077 96.1%
2024 96.24 68th 2067 96.7%
See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Hillcrest Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 84.30 56th 640 91.3%
2022 84.32 84th 1113 92.5%
2023 96.76 22nd 1156 98.1%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Hillcrest Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.57 529th 1964 73.1%
2019 73.47 468th 2019 76.8%
2021 71.76 401st 1680 76.1%
2022 86.30 226th 1970 88.5%
2023 94.62 79th 1957 96.0%
2024 93.74 97th 1942 95.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Hillcrest Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.80 520th 1972 73.6%
2019 74.55 438th 2019 78.3%
2021 82.33 215th 1707 87.4%
2022 87.52 200th 1977 89.9%
2023 93.69 89th 1984 95.5%
2024 96.26 52nd 1959 97.3%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Hillcrest Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.10 590th 1463 59.7%
2019 62.24 507th 1462 65.3%
2021 69.35 333rd 1308 74.5%
2022 81.25 190th 1425 86.7%
2023 89.32 94th 1419 93.4%
2024 89.71 91st 1392 93.5%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Hillcrest Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Monday, January 9, 2012

Open Quote Hillcrest is an amazing school. I go there currently, and have a great time every single day! The teachers are amazing, and the students are extremely. I have never once been bullied! I am an above average student. At other schools I've attended I have felt not challenged, but Hillcrest is much different! It is a school for all types of children. I attend a gifted and talented program once a week, while kids who are lagging attend special classes through out the day that help them learn at their own pace. I think Hillcrest is a fantastic school, and that anyone who goes there will be surprised (in a good way!). Close Quote



Enrollment information for Hillcrest Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 396 5 5 3 n/a n/a n/a 0 409
1989 415 3 10 4 n/a n/a n/a 0 432
1990 435 7 9 6 n/a n/a n/a 0 457
1991 457 7 10 6 0 n/a n/a 0 480
1992 447 4 11 10 0 n/a n/a 0 472
1993 429 3 10 8 1 n/a n/a 0 451
1994 504 2 10 9 1 n/a n/a 0 526
1995 497 0 11 5 0 n/a n/a 0 513
1996 497 0 11 5 0 n/a n/a 0 513
1997 479 0 11 9 0 n/a n/a 0 499
1998 483 2 10 6 0 n/a n/a 0 501
1999 457 2 10 8 0 n/a n/a 0 477
2000 466 1 10 7 0 n/a n/a 0 484
2001 470 1 13 5 0 n/a n/a 0 489
2002 416 3 13 9 1 n/a n/a 0 442
2003 416 3 13 9 1 n/a n/a 0 442
2004 413 4 14 8 1 n/a n/a 0 440
2005 416 5 16 10 2 n/a n/a 0 449
2006 403 4 13 15 2 n/a n/a 0 437
2007 388 4 12 16 2 n/a n/a 6 428
2008 379 3 16 15 1 n/a n/a 1 415
2009 379 4 19 13 0 n/a n/a 10 425
2010 372 8 19 13 0 n/a n/a 14 426
2011 350 8 18 25 0 0 5 0 406
2012 327 3 17 29 0 0 7 0 383
2013 318 7 18 28 0 0 9 0 380
2014 329 7 18 26 0 0 9 0 389
2015 316 9 15 22 0 0 10 0 372
2016 327 7 13 19 0 0 10 0 376
2017 330 12 10 19 0 0 15 0 386
2018 342 9 12 16 0 0 20 0 399
2019 328 8 13 17 0 0 17 0 383
2020 310 3 12 11 0 1 19 0 356
2021 300 2 15 19 0 1 23 0 360
2022 301 3 13 21 0 1 27 0 366
2023 290 1 15 22 0 1 29 0 358

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Hillcrest Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 409 24.1 16.9 n/a
1989 432 25.0 17.2 n/a
1990 457 25.5 17.9 n/a
1991 480 25.0 19.2 n/a
1992 472 23.5 20.0 n/a
1993 451 22.0 20.5 n/a
1994 526 25.5 20.6 n/a
1995 513 26.5 19.4 n/a
1996 513 26.5 19.4 n/a
1997 499 25.7 19.4 n/a
1998 501 25.7 19.5 n/a
1999 477 25.5 18.7 n/a
2000 484 24.5 19.8 n/a
2001 489 23.6 20.7 n/a
2002 442 26.0 17.0 0
2003 442 26.0 17.0 0
2004 440 25.5 17.3 0
2005 449 25.5 17.6 0
2006 437 25.0 17.5 0
2007 428 21.0 20.4 0
2008 415 19.0 21.8 0
2009 425 24.0 17.7 0
2010 426 24.8 17.1 0
2011 406 25.8 15.6 0
2012 383 25.0 15.3 1.3
2013 380 30.4 12.4 3.4
2014 389 20.0 19.4 3.6
2015 372 24.0 15.5 6.2
2016 376 21.0 17.9 8
2017 386 23.9 16.1 9.3
2018 399 26.0 15.3 7
2019 383 24.0 15.9 6.5
2020 356 23.0 15.4 4.5
2021 360 n/a n/a n/a
2022 366 21.9 16.6 7.9
2023 358 24.1 14.8 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Hillcrest Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 409 24.1 16.9 n/a
1989 432 25.0 17.2 n/a
1990 457 25.5 17.9 n/a
1991 480 25.0 19.2 n/a
1992 472 23.5 20.0 n/a
1993 451 22.0 20.5 n/a
1994 526 25.5 20.6 n/a
1995 513 26.5 19.4 n/a
1996 513 26.5 19.4 n/a
1997 499 25.7 19.4 n/a
1998 501 25.7 19.5 n/a
1999 477 25.5 18.7 n/a
2000 484 24.5 19.8 n/a
2001 489 23.6 20.7 n/a
2002 442 26.0 17.0 0
2003 442 26.0 17.0 0
2004 440 25.5 17.3 0
2005 449 25.5 17.6 0
2006 437 25.0 17.5 0
2007 428 21.0 20.4 0
2008 415 19.0 21.8 0
2009 425 24.0 17.7 0
2010 426 24.8 17.1 0
2011 406 25.8 15.6 0
2012 383 25.0 15.3 1.3
2013 380 30.4 12.4 3.4
2014 389 20.0 19.4 3.6
2015 372 24.0 15.5 6.2
2016 376 21.0 17.9 8
2017 386 23.9 16.1 9.3
2018 399 26.0 15.3 7
2019 383 24.0 15.9 6.5
2020 356 23.0 15.4 4.5
2021 360 n/a n/a n/a
2022 366 21.9 16.6 7.9
2023 358 24.1 14.8 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

Hillcrest Elementary School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaHepatitis BVaricellaDTPPneumococcal Meningococcal
201598.7%97.7%97.7%97.7%18.5%98.5%98.2%4.3%
201698.5%97.2%97.2%97.2%17.8%98.0%83.5%3.6%14.5%
201798.0%96.7%96.7%96.7%14.6%97.2%98.0%2.5%11.6%
201899.5%98.8%98.8%98.8%15.8%98.8%99.3%3.6%11.8%
201999.5%98.8%98.8%98.8%20.0%99.0%99.5%4.3%15.2%
202198.9%98.6%98.6%98.6%98.9%98.6%98.9%3.9%12.1%
202298.6%98.3%98.3%98.3%22.3%98.3%98.6%3.6%18.4%
202398.4%97.8%97.8%97.8%19.0%97.5%98.6%5.5%13.5%
202497.1%96.6%96.6%96.6%16.4%96.3%97.1%3.2%12.7%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Hillcrest Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $528 (3.7%) $13,759 (96.3%) $14,287
2020 $463 (2.9%) $15,301 (97.1%) $15,764
2021 $616 (4.0%) $14,906 (96.0%) $15,523
2022 $616 (4.0%) $14,906 (96.0%) $15,523
2023 $741 (4.7%) $15,034 (95.3%) $15,776
2024 $516 (3.2%) $15,531 (96.8%) $16,047

Data source: Illinois Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Hillcrest Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 438th of 2086 Elementary schoolsRanks 81st of 2077 Elementary schools
 17.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hillcrest Elementary School)34.974
 39.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Downers Grove GSD 58)44.554
 9.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.428.8
 7.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary School)50.876
 25.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Downers Grove GSD 58)55.364.1
 8.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Illinois)40.633
 7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hillcrest Elementary School)6972.9
 3.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Downers Grove GSD 58)5661.6
 5.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.735.4
 1.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary School)47.670.3
 22.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Downers Grove GSD 58)46.760.1
 13.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)33.527.7
 5.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hillcrest Elementary School)58.360.8
 2.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Downers Grove GSD 58)56.353.4
 2.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)37.935.2
 2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary School)41.765.2
 23.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Downers Grove GSD 58)46.753.9
 7.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)29.825.6
 4.2%
5th Grade Science (Hillcrest Elementary School)75.485.1
 9.7%
   5th Grade Science (Downers Grove GSD 58)71.677
 5.4%
   5th Grade Science (Illinois)54.452.4
 2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Hillcrest Elementary School)45.351
 5.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Downers Grove GSD 58)55.256.6
 1.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)3534.2
 0.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary School)29.755.4
 25.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Downers Grove GSD 58)48.852.5
 3.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)25.323.4
 1.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students383358
 6.5%
African American81
 87.5%
American Indian00
Asian1315
 15.4%
Hispanic1722
 29.4%
Pacific Islander01
White328290
 11.6%
Two or More Races1729
 70.6%

Schools Near Hillcrest Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Hillcrest Elementary School

Students at Hillcrest Elementary School are 81% White, 8% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 4% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 358 students attended Hillcrest Elementary School.

Yes! Hillcrest Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 68th of 2067 Illinois elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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