Summary:
Zip code 35405 is home to just one middle school, Hillcrest Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 and enrolls 542 students in the Tuscaloosa County district.
For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that Hillcrest Middle School shows a striking contrast between strong attendance and weak academics. Chronic absenteeism is just 7.3%, far better than the district (11.8%) and state (12.0%) averages, meaning students are consistently showing up to class. However, test scores tell a different story. Math proficiency is critically low, with only 5.42% of 6th graders proficient—a dramatic drop from 12.36% the prior year—and 7th grade math sits at just 14.29%. English scores are notably stronger, ranging from 34.34% in 6th grade to 46.55% in 8th grade, but still trail district and state averages by 16 to 22 points. The school’s state ranking has slipped slightly, from 334th to 343rd out of 443 schools, indicating persistent challenges relative to peers.
There are some positive signs worth noting. Eighth-grade science proficiency improved significantly, jumping from 20.11% to 27.88% in one year, suggesting recent instructional efforts may be paying off. The school also serves a high-need population, with 58.67% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, yet per-student spending of $8,185 is not exceptionally high, which may limit intervention resources. The clear pattern here is that math is the primary area of concern, while English and science show more promise. Parents should expect a school where attendance is excellent but where academic support, particularly in mathematics, will likely be necessary to help students reach grade-level proficiency.
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