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Hillcrest High School

Q: Is Hillcrest High School a good school?

Hillcrest High School ranks 197 th of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

197^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 293 Arkansas High Schools

Better than 33% of Arkansas high schools

Summary

Hillcrest High School in Strawberry, AR, is a small, rural school serving 179 students in grades 7 through 12, and it is the sole school within the Hillcrest School District. One of its standout features is an exceptionally low student-to-teacher ratio of 3.6:1, the lowest among nearby schools like Hoxie High School (5:1) and Sloan-Hendrix High School (7.2:1), which means your child can expect significant individual attention. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $17,001 per pupil—the highest in the area—which helps maintain a full curriculum despite its small size.

Academically, Hillcrest shows a fascinating "math paradox." It excels in general Mathematics, with a 64.1% proficiency rate that far exceeds the state average (44.1%) and outpaces peers like Cedar Ridge High School (50.3%). However, this strength does not carry over to advanced math: Algebra proficiency is just 25.9% (below the state's 36.9%), and Geometry is a low 11.5% (state: 26.4%). Similarly, English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading scores (34.9% and 37.7%) lag behind state averages, suggesting that despite high spending and small classes, literacy support may need a boost. Nearby top performers like Tuckerman High School and Cave City High Career & Collegiate Preparatory School achieve 60-86% proficiency across subjects, showing that improvement is possible.

On a positive note, Hillcrest maintains a very low dropout rate of 0.5%, indicating a supportive school culture that keeps students engaged. However, the school has seen a recent decline, dropping from a consistent 3-star rating to a 2-star rating for three consecutive years, coinciding with a sharp rise in economic disadvantage (78.21% of students now qualify for free or reduced lunch). This suggests the school is navigating new challenges, but its strong math foundation and personalized environment provide a solid base for growth. For parents, Hillcrest offers a close-knit community with standout math instruction, though you may want to explore how the school plans to address its ELA and advanced math gaps.

179

Students ?

3.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,001

Per pupil spending ?

78.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

146 S. Main Street
Strawberry, AR 72469

(870) 376-5416

District: Hillcrest School District

Feeder schools for Hillcrest High School:

Elementary:

Hillcrest Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.9%

Hispanic:

2.8%

Two or more races:

2.8%

See top rated Arkansas high schools

Compare Hillcrest High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 57th percentile in 2016 → 33rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 4 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 24 percentile points since 2016

!Geometry scores 15 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school41%

District avg47%

Arkansas avg41%

Middle school

44^th of 327

Arkansas public middle schools ?

Top 13%▲ up 30 pts since 2016

From top 43% (2016) to top 13% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

197^th of 293

Arkansas public high schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 24 pts since 2016

From top 43% (2016) to bottom 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

79^th of 251Hillcrest School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	77.4	44 of 327	86.5%	★★★★☆
2025	55.2	133 of 324	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.2	224 of 335	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.2	133 of 330	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.7	144 of 318	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.9	106 of 330	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.1	146 of 319	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	189 of 318	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	39.5	213 of 315	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	55.9	135 of 312	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	59.4	95 of 275	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	30.3	219 of 280	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	14.6	252 of 278	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	48.3	165 of 265	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	58.0	125 of 264	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	51.6	141 of 254	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	43.1	159 of 240	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	50.1	133 of 223	40.4%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	38.8	197 of 293	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.6	162 of 291	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.3	160 of 305	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.3	117 of 295	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.1	101 of 282	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.5	137 of 290	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.8	111 of 282	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.3	96 of 263	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	50.1	138 of 264	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	53.7	115 of 269	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	54.7	83 of 267	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	36.8	186 of 268	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.3	148 of 271	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	32.3	201 of 266	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	50.4	135 of 266	49.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	43.1	151 of 262	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	50.9	119 of 261	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	55.8	84 of 256	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	50.1	110 of 258	57.4%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics64%+20 vs state

Science61%+17 vs state

Reading38%-3 vs state

English Language Arts35%-5 vs state

Biology32%-11 vs state

Algebra26%-11 vs state

Geometry12%-15 vs state

★

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Schools Near Hillcrest High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)						ATLAS Reading (2026)						ATLAS Mathematics (2026)				ATLAS Algebra (2026)			ATLAS Geometry (2026)		ATLAS Science (2026)				ATLAS Biology (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 9th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 10th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading 9th Grade	ATLAS Reading 10th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra 9th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 10th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	ATLAS Biology 10th Grade	ATLAS Biology 11th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hillcrest High School	Public	7-12	146 S. Main Street	Strawberry	72469	Lawrence County	Hillcrest School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 376-5416	179	49	3.6	78.2%	168 (93.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.8%)	38.8	197^th of 293 public high schools	32.8%		44.6	162^nd of 291 public high schools	44.3%	35		39.1	38.7	30.8	30.8	34.9		47.8	38.7	30.8	34.6	37.7		60.9	66.7	64.1		24.0	25.9	8.0	11.5		65.2	58.1	61.1	32.0		32.0	$17,001	$2,077	$14,924
Cave City High Career & Collegiate Preparatory School	Public, Charter	9-12	711 N. Main	Cave City	72521	Sharp County	Cave City School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(870) 283-3333	375	64	5.8	79.2%	343 (91.5%)	11 (2.9%)	10 (2.7%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.9%)	94.8	6^th of 293 public high schools	98.0%		86.7	18^th of 291 public high schools	93.8%	12				62.9	62.8	62.8				57.3	64.1	60.5						49.5	49.5	43.4	43.4					64.7	25.0	59.3	$15,288	$2,190	$13,098
Tuckerman High School	Public	8-12	300 N Dowell St	Tuckerman	72473	Jackson County	Jackson County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 349-2657	288	59	4.9	63.9%	252 (87.5%)	13 (4.5%)	7 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.2%)	90.5	11^th of 293 public high schools	96.2%		83.2	21^st of 291 public high schools	92.8%	10			78.5	52.9	63.0	65.9			75.4	56.9	59.3	64.7			86.2	86.2		35.3	35.3	34.6	34.6			61.6	61.6	55.8		55.8	$12,489	$377	$12,112
Sloan-Hendrix High School	Public	7-12	3 Greyhound Cir.	Imboden	72434	Lawrence County	Sloan Hendrix School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 869-2361	398	55	7.2	68.1%	378 (95.0%)	3 (0.8%)	10 (2.5%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	54.6	131^st of 293 public high schools	55.3%		45.8	159^th of 291 public high schools	45.4%	28		30.8	31.3	40.0	30.4	33.1		30.8	34.4	44.6	33.3	35.7		36.9	40.6	38.8		32.8	31.3	20.3	20.3		46.2	59.4	52.7	30.9		30.0	$11,842	$662	$11,180
Cedar Ridge High School	Public	6-12	1500 N. Hill Street	Newark	72562	Independence County	Cedar Ridge School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 201-2577	373	74	5.0	99.2%	341 (91.4%)	4 (1.1%)	18 (4.8%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.9%)	47.4	164^th of 293 public high schools	44.0%		42.9	167^th of 291 public high schools	42.6%	3	43.4	29.1	20.0	28.9	30.0	30.0	47.1	37.5	21.7	33.3	30.0	33.8	52.8	55.4	43.3	50.3		32.5	32.5	25.0	25.6	51.0	46.4	35.0	43.8	32.5		35.7	$16,513	$1,196	$15,317
Hoxie High School	Public	7-12	602 SW Hartigan	Hoxie	72433	Lawrence County	Hoxie School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 886-2401	360	71	5.0	100.0%	330 (91.7%)	5 (1.4%)	12 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.8%)	48.7	161^st of 293 public high schools	45.1%		43.8	163^rd of 291 public high schools	44.0%	2		33.9	12.0	26.0	40.8	28.4		38.9	20.0	35.1	40.7	34.2		40.7	21.1	32.9	30.8	14.0	16.9	21.0	18.7		39.0	33.3	36.4	43.1		42.9	$13,600	$751	$12,849

Frequently Asked Questions about Hillcrest High School

How many students attend Hillcrest High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 179 students attended Hillcrest High School.

Is Hillcrest High School a good school?

Hillcrest High School ranks 197^th of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Hillcrest High School?

Students at Hillcrest High School are 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Hillcrest High School in?

Hillcrest School District

What schools feed into Hillcrest High School?

Hillcrest High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Hillcrest Elementary School

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresNewJul 13, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2019–20 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 dropout ratesJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary 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.