Hickory Creek Elementary School

Hickory Creek Elementary School in Saint Johns, FL, serves 669 students in grades PK-5 within the top-ranked St. Johns County School District, and it has earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for nine consecutive years, demonstrating remarkable consistency in a competitive area.

Hickory Creek stands out for its exceptional math performance, especially in upper elementary grades. In the most recent testing year, 5th-grade math proficiency reached 85%, which is significantly higher than the district average (77%) and the state average (62%), and it also surpasses nearby schools like Timberlin Creek Elementary (80%) and Julington Creek Elementary (83%). The school also boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate among its peers at 10.7%, compared to the district average of 20.1% and the state average of 31.4%, indicating strong student engagement and family-school connections. While its English Language Arts scores are solid—with 3rd-grade ELA at 80%—they are more mixed, with 5th-grade ELA (76%) slightly below the district average (77%), suggesting math instruction is a particular strength. Notably, Hickory Creek achieves these results with efficient spending of $10,903 per student, less than some nearby schools with similar or lower outcomes, such as Robert M. Paterson Elementary in Clay County ($11,318).

An interesting trend is Hickory Creek’s slight dip from its pre-pandemic top 1% state ranking (99th percentile) to the 87th-97th percentile range since 2020, possibly due to post-pandemic recovery or the opening of new competitive schools like Trout Creek Academy and Freedom Crossing Academy, which offer K-8 accelerated tracks. However, Hickory Creek’s focused elementary program provides a stronger foundation in math and science compared to these academies, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a stable, high-quality elementary experience without the volatility seen in some neighboring schools.