Hillside Elementary

Summary:

Hillside Elementary is a public elementary school located in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 425. The school is part of the South Washington County Schools district, which is ranked 135 out of 463 districts in Minnesota and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Hillside Elementary has a relatively diverse student population, with 61.65% White, 6.82% African American, 13.88% Hispanic, and 9.41% Asian students. The school has shown mixed academic performance, with proficiency rates in MCA-III Math and Reading generally lower than the district and state averages, except for 5th-grade Reading where Hillside outperformed the district and state. However, Hillside has shown strong performance for its Hispanic and low socioeconomic status (SES) student groups, ranking among the top 5-12% and top 25-35% of Minnesota elementary schools, respectively. The school also maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12 to 12.7 students per teacher over the past three school years.

Hillside Elementary's statewide ranking has declined over the past several years, from a high of 114 out of 826 Minnesota elementary schools in 2013-2014 to a ranking of 363 out of 881 in the 2023-2024 school year. This decline in ranking is concerning and warrants further investigation. When compared to the nearby schools in the South Washington County Schools district, Hillside Elementary generally performs on par or slightly below the district averages in Math and Reading proficiency, but stands out in its strong performance for Hispanic and low-SES student groups.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 8177 Hillside Tr S
       Cottage Grove, MN  55016-3270


(651) 425-4001

District: South Washington County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
363rd of 881 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,590 Help


Students who attend Hillside Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Cottage Grove Middle School
High:    Park High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.7 Help
Number of students:  425

Racial breakdown:

White:
61.6%
Hispanic:
13.9%
Asian:
9.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  42.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Hillside Elementary ranks better than 58.8% of elementary schools in Minnesota. It also ranks 8th among 16 ranked elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 61.32. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (61.6%), Hispanic (13.9%), Asian (9.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 42.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary is 12.7, which is the 7th best among 16 elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Hillside Elementary employs 33.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hillside Elementary is $13,590, which is the 7th highest among 16 elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Hillside Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillside Elementary 363rd of 881 Minnesota public elementary schools. (See Hillside Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


South Washington County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks South Washington County Schools 135th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Hillside Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 46.59 444th 674 34.1%
2004 65.72 231st 676 65.8%
2005 64.70 237th 685 65.4%
2006 70.75 190th 756 74.9%
2007 72.97 160th 777 79.4%
2008 69.87 201st 781 74.3%
2010 69.60 242nd 803 69.9%
2011 61.30 370th 814 54.5%
2012 64.34 331st 820 59.6%
2013 79.18 118th 824 85.7%
2014 79.36 114th 826 86.2%
2015 78.43 133rd 840 84.2%
2016 77.20 158th 848 81.4%
2017 73.97 208th 853 75.6%
2018 73.85 206th 847 75.7%
2019 64.78 340th 870 60.9%
2021 53.87 459th 869 47.2%
2022 58.91 382nd 858 55.5%
2023 50.80 473rd 845 44.0%
2024 61.32 363rd 881 58.8%
See the entire list of Minnesota Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.44 172nd 463 62.9%
2019 51.84 262nd 515 49.1%
2022 36.11 348th 500 30.4%
2023 24.29 430th 524 17.9%
2024 52.96 237th 572 58.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.38 167th 728 77.1%
2019 67.15 214th 740 71.1%
2021 75.36 111th 683 83.7%
2022 61.59 228th 663 65.6%
2023 52.22 384th 774 50.4%
2024 67.04 229th 793 71.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.95 255th 774 67.1%
2019 61.30 345th 787 56.2%
2021 56.11 383rd 783 51.1%
2022 52.62 426th 799 46.7%
2023 48.59 460th 787 41.6%
2024 57.73 360th 809 55.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.85 158th 779 79.7%
2019 65.14 302nd 798 62.2%
2021 47.27 486th 784 38.0%
2022 61.73 323rd 808 60.0%
2023 49.92 440th 799 44.9%
2024 61.83 321st 826 61.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.08 12th 220 94.5%
2019 94.56 5th 219 97.7%
2023 70.44 43rd 214 79.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Hillside Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.91 283rd 712 60.3%
2019 48.99 399th 722 44.7%
2021 34.89 525th 710 26.1%
2022 50.24 384th 725 47.0%
2023 33.70 529th 712 25.7%
2024 53.23 340th 730 53.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department 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.

Hillside Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Hillside Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 673 10 21 14 2 n/a n/a 0 720
1989 712 8 22 14 1 n/a n/a 0 757
1990 755 9 21 12 2 n/a n/a 0 799
1991 951 12 17 13 0 n/a n/a -119 874
1992 631 7 13 6 2 n/a n/a 0 659
1993 605 8 12 6 1 n/a n/a 0 632
1994 624 17 15 12 1 n/a n/a 0 669
1995 622 24 11 13 5 n/a n/a 0 675
1996 622 24 11 13 5 n/a n/a 0 675
1997 635 32 10 8 6 n/a n/a 0 691
1998 601 36 7 14 4 n/a n/a 0 662
1999 589 33 6 14 8 n/a n/a 0 650
2000 590 32 10 13 8 n/a n/a 0 653
2001 601 26 12 12 6 n/a n/a 0 657
2002 527 25 22 14 3 n/a n/a 0 591
2003 527 25 22 14 3 n/a n/a 0 591
2004 529 28 25 18 6 n/a n/a 0 606
2005 546 22 22 21 7 n/a n/a 0 618
2006 524 28 33 40 6 n/a n/a 0 631
2007 494 34 31 47 1 n/a n/a 0 607
2008 478 36 34 48 1 n/a n/a 0 597
2009 446 35 37 46 4 n/a n/a 0 568
2010 424 33 30 45 6 n/a n/a 0 538
2011 406 32 22 38 5 0 14 0 517
2012 393 31 19 31 5 2 18 0 499
2013 378 28 24 32 4 2 19 0 487
2014 354 24 22 33 2 2 27 0 464
2015 342 24 24 33 0 3 29 0 455
2016 324 23 26 30 1 2 26 0 432
2017 304 12 27 39 3 0 34 0 419
2018 299 12 28 43 0 0 28 0 410
2019 292 25 25 46 0 0 38 0 426
2020 294 34 25 47 1 0 40 0 441
2021 289 28 29 47 0 0 38 0 431
2022 274 28 23 49 0 0 40 0 414
2023 262 29 40 59 1 0 34 0 425

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 Hillside Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 720 27.0 26.6 3.6
1989 757 33.5 22.5 3.3
1990 799 31.5 25.3 2.4
1991 874 34.5 25.3 2.2
1992 659 30.7 21.4 5.5
1993 632 30.6 20.7 8.4
1994 669 32.2 20.8 11.7
1995 675 31.4 21.5 10.4
1996 675 31.4 21.5 10.4
1997 691 31.0 22.3 8
1998 662 n/a 0.0 9.1
1999 650 36.5 17.8 6.9
2000 653 36.8 17.7 12.9
2001 657 39.4 16.7 8.5
2002 591 34.5 17.1 12.7
2003 591 34.5 17.1 12.7
2004 606 47.1 12.9 11.9
2005 618 34.0 18.2 11.3
2006 631 36.2 17.4 20.6
2007 607 39.7 15.3 18.5
2008 597 37.6 15.9 19.1
2009 568 37.5 15.1 20.1
2010 538 34.2 15.7 23.8
2011 517 35.0 14.7 25.5
2012 499 37.1 13.4 25.7
2013 487 38.8 12.5 29
2014 464 37.9 12.2 31.5
2015 455 35.0 13.0 33.4
2016 432 37.0 11.6 36.1
2017 419 35.0 11.9 32.7
2018 410 36.9 11.0 31
2019 426 35.2 12.0 28.9
2020 441 34.2 12.8 29.9
2021 431 35.2 12.2 30.9
2022 414 34.2 12.0 26.3
2023 425 33.4 12.7 42.6

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 Hillside Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 720 27.0 26.6 3.6
1989 757 33.5 22.5 3.3
1990 799 31.5 25.3 2.4
1991 874 34.5 25.3 2.2
1992 659 30.7 21.4 5.5
1993 632 30.6 20.7 8.4
1994 669 32.2 20.8 11.7
1995 675 31.4 21.5 10.4
1996 675 31.4 21.5 10.4
1997 691 31.0 22.3 8
1998 662 n/a 0.0 9.1
1999 650 36.5 17.8 6.9
2000 653 36.8 17.7 12.9
2001 657 39.4 16.7 8.5
2002 591 34.5 17.1 12.7
2003 591 34.5 17.1 12.7
2004 606 47.1 12.9 11.9
2005 618 34.0 18.2 11.3
2006 631 36.2 17.4 20.6
2007 607 39.7 15.3 18.5
2008 597 37.6 15.9 19.1
2009 568 37.5 15.1 20.1
2010 538 34.2 15.7 23.8
2011 517 35.0 14.7 25.5
2012 499 37.1 13.4 25.7
2013 487 38.8 12.5 29
2014 464 37.9 12.2 31.5
2015 455 35.0 13.0 33.4
2016 432 37.0 11.6 36.1
2017 419 35.0 11.9 32.7
2018 410 36.9 11.0 31
2019 426 35.2 12.0 28.9
2020 441 34.2 12.8 29.9
2021 431 35.2 12.2 30.9
2022 414 34.2 12.0 26.3
2023 425 33.4 12.7 42.6

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.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Hillside Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $13,590

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Hillside Elementary

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 340th of 870 Elementary schoolsRanks 473rd of 845 Elementary schools
 16.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Hillside Elementary)70.363.4
 6.9%
   3rd Grade Math (South Washington County Schools)73.764.8
 9%
   3rd Grade Math (Minnesota)65.659.1
 6.5%
3rd Grade Reading (Hillside Elementary)56.347.2
 9%
   3rd Grade Reading (South Washington County Schools)62.750.6
 12.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Minnesota)54.647.4
 7.2%
4th Grade Math (Hillside Elementary)78.549.3
 29.2%
   4th Grade Math (South Washington County Schools)74.166.2
 7.9%
   4th Grade Math (Minnesota)63.957.1
 6.8%
4th Grade Reading (Hillside Elementary)58.535.2
 23.3%
   4th Grade Reading (South Washington County Schools)66.551.2
 15.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Minnesota)55.448.4
 7.1%
5th Grade Math (Hillside Elementary)41.850.6
 8.8%
   5th Grade Math (South Washington County Schools)59.754.6
 5.2%
   5th Grade Math (Minnesota)5244.4
 7.6%
5th Grade Reading (Hillside Elementary)74.453
 21.4%
   5th Grade Reading (South Washington County Schools)74.466.3
 8.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Minnesota)65.858.7
 7%
5th Grade Science (Hillside Elementary)65.842.9
 23%
   5th Grade Science (South Washington County Schools)63.953.3
 10.6%
   5th Grade Science (Minnesota)54.948.4
 6.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students426425
 0.2%
African American2529
 16%
American Indian01
Asian2540
 60%
Hispanic4659
 28.3%
Pacific Islander00
White292262
 10.3%
Two or More Races3834
 10.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients28.9%42.6%
 13.7%


Schools Near Hillside Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Hillside Elementary

Students who attend Hillside Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cottage Grove Middle School
High : Park High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 425 students attended Hillside Elementary.

Hillside Elementary ranks 363rd of 881 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Hillside Elementary are 62% White, 14% Hispanic, 9% Asian, 8% Two or more races, 7% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department 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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