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Hillcrest Elementary School

Q: Is Hillcrest Elementary School a good school?

Hillcrest Elementary School ranks 1453 rd of 2056 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

1453^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,056 Illinois Elementary Schools

Better than 29% of Illinois elementary schools

Summary

Hillcrest Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades K-6 in Elgin, Illinois, with 492 students. It is part of the School District U-46, which is ranked 594 out of 811 school districts in Illinois and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Hillcrest Elementary has consistently been ranked in the bottom quarter of Illinois elementary schools over the past 10 years, with a ranking between 1,394 and 1,779 out of over 2,000 schools.

Hillcrest Elementary consistently underperforms compared to the School District U-46 and the state of Illinois in both English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency across all grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 33.6% of Hillcrest students were proficient in ELA compared to 43.1% for the district and 53.1% for the state. In Math, only 28% of Hillcrest students were proficient compared to 31.5% for the district and 38.5% for the state. Hillcrest also has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.2% to 34.9% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, Hillcrest has a very high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 61.18% to 67.14% over the past few years, indicating a high proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

When comparing Hillcrest to other nearby schools in the same district, it consistently underperforms. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, Hillcrest's ELA proficiency rate of 33.6% was lower than the rates of McKinley (25.5%), Washington (34.6%), and Creekside Elementary Schools. The same pattern holds true for Math proficiency as well. Hillcrest's chronic absenteeism rates are also significantly higher than the nearby schools, which range from 25.4% to 25.4% for the 2024-2025 school year, compared to Hillcrest's 25.4%.

509

Students ?

16.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,382

Per pupil spending ?

68%

Free/discounted lunch ?

80 N Airlite St
Elgin, IL 60123-4913

(847) 888-5282

District: School District U-46

Students who attend Hillcrest Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Larkin High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

78.8%

White:

12.2%

African American:

4.3%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Hillcrest Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 21st percentile in 2015 → 29th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 8 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Illinois average (26% vs 44% meeting standards)

!Science scores 24 pts below the Illinois average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school26%

District avg35%

Illinois avg44%

1,453^rd of 2,056

Illinois public elementary schools ?

Bottom 29%▲ up 9 pts since 2015

From bottom 21% (2015) to bottom 29% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

25^th of 38Elementary Schools in the School District U-46

594^th of 811School District U-46 among Illinois districts

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

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	29.2	1453 of 2056	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.2	1394 of 2067	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.6	1512 of 2077	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.3	1532 of 2082	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.3	1407 of 1948	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.8	1762 of 2086	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.4	1779 of 2037	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	17.3	1762 of 2044	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	18.1	1745 of 2046	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	23.1	1626 of 2052	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	28.8	1570 of 2093	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	24.8	1705 of 2167	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	19.7	1861 of 2166	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	11.4	1973 of 2147	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	27.0	1696 of 2139	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	17.8	1835 of 2120	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	16.2	1832 of 2092	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	43.5	1433 of 2095	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	31.6	1647 of 2086	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	46.3	1308 of 2022	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2004	52.5	1172 of 2030	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2003	34.0	1489 of 2020	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	25.5	808 of 1049	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	38.6	495 of 886	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	26.2	713 of 907	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	54.9	278 of 788	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.2	264 of 826	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.2	271 of 788	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.4	326 of 768	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.7	153 of 537	71.5%	★★★★☆
2019	41.4	427 of 743	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	33.8	523 of 718	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	27.1	1443 of 1942	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	33.4	1225 of 1942	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.9	1423 of 1957	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.3	1474 of 1970	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.6	1395 of 1680	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.9	1724 of 2019	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	17.0	1699 of 1964	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	43.8	534 of 982	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.3	501 of 959	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.1	636 of 970	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.0	622 of 954	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.4	475 of 742	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	19.7	870 of 955	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	20.3	853 of 938	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	37.4	1175 of 1800	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.9	1031 of 1793	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.4	1318 of 1808	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.9	1197 of 1763	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.3	956 of 1514	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	25.4	1508 of 1816	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.3	1498 of 1765	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	31.9	1300 of 1947	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.9	1421 of 1959	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.5	1442 of 1984	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.3	1429 of 1977	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	27.7	1202 of 1707	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.8	1626 of 2019	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.2	1698 of 1972	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	24.0	1013 of 1292	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.8	797 of 1195	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	23.1	975 of 1156	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.4	814 of 1113	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.6	551 of 640	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	35.7	714 of 1194	40.2%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2018	13.0	1371 of 1463	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2025)65th percentile+35 vs school

Hispanic (2025)46th percentile+16 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)35th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)33rd percentile+4 vs school

Female (2025)26th percentile-4 vs school

Disabled (2025)23rd percentile-6 vs school

Special Education (2025)22nd percentile-8 vs school

White (2018)6th percentile-6 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts34%-20 vs state

Mathematics28%-10 vs state

Science17%-24 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, April 16, 2012

Horrible school. Too many budget cuts, too many gang-bangers, too many bullies and teachers do nothing. We had to move out of the district. Close Quote

Schools Near Hillcrest Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)	IAR English Language Arts (2025)					IAR Mathematics (2025)					% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Pneumococcal (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	IAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	IAR Mathematics 4th Grade	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Pneumococcal All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hillcrest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	80 N Airlite St	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5282	509	30	16.9	68.0%	62 (12.2%)	22 (4.3%)	401 (78.8%)	4 (0.8%)	8 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.4%)	29.2	1453^rd of 2056 public elementary schools	29.3%		30.2	1394^th of 2067 public elementary schools	32.6%	59	16.7	34.5	44.3	40.7	14.3	33.6	38.2	43.3	18.5	10.7	28.0	97.1	96.7	96.7	96.7	97.6	96.4	97.1		11.8	$17,382	$1,689	$15,693
Creekside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	655 N Airlite St	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 289-6270	469	34	13.9	62.5%	70 (14.9%)	37 (7.9%)	322 (68.7%)	14 (3.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.1%)	27.1	1505^th of 2056 public elementary schools	26.8%		17.4	1756^th of 2067 public elementary schools	15.0%	251	19.0	41.4	28.8	41.9	32.2	36.4	43.1	17.6	14.3	16.9	22.9	96.9	96.5	96.5	96.5	99.6	96.5	96.7		10.9	$18,466	$1,554	$16,912
Highland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	190 N Melrose Ave	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5280	616	38	16.0	77.1%	39 (6.3%)	56 (9.1%)	480 (77.9%)	4 (0.6%)	12 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.1%)	18	1717^th of 2056 public elementary schools	16.5%		27.1	1482^nd of 2067 public elementary schools	28.3%	235	12.7	20.5	30.4	20.3	26.4	24.2	31.4	21.0	16.5	15.3	21.4	98.7	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.4	98.9	98.9		14.8	$18,014	$1,693	$16,320
Harriet Gifford Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	240 S Clifton Ave	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5195	460	29	16.1	79.1%	21 (4.6%)	98 (21.3%)	325 (70.7%)	4 (0.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.2%)	19.9	1671^st of 2056 public elementary schools	18.7%		25.5	1528^th of 2067 public elementary schools	26.1%	143	19.7	10.4	21.8	25.8	43.6	25.9	18.8	27.3	21.0	12.7	20.0	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6		11.7	$17,926	$1,783	$16,144
Washington Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	819 W Chicago St	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5270	446	25	17.6	72.2%	41 (9.2%)	56 (12.6%)	327 (73.3%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.1%)	29.1	1456^th of 2056 public elementary schools	29.2%		25.8	1517^th of 2067 public elementary schools	26.6%	61	30.6	31.3	17.9	46.9	43.6	34.6	31.9	12.5	30.6	16.4	22.2	97.2	97.5	97.5	97.5	100.0	95.6	96.4		15.2	$17,313	$1,818	$15,496
Century Oaks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1235 Braeburn Dr	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5180	542	31	17.5	74.0%	59 (10.9%)	51 (9.4%)	398 (73.4%)	17 (3.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.0%)	25.4	1551^st of 2056 public elementary schools	24.6%		21.5	1641^st of 2067 public elementary schools	20.6%	90	11.3	32.9	25.0	32.1	50.9	34.2	24.1	19.7	17.0	26.4	21.9	98.5	99.0	99.0	99.0	99.3	98.3	98.8		14.9	$17,995	$1,561	$16,434
Fox Meadow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1275 Jenna Dr	South Elgin	60177	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	No	(847) 888-7182	577	32	18.0	37.1%	213 (36.9%)	30 (5.2%)	252 (43.7%)	40 (6.9%)	6 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	35 (6.1%)	62.2	760^th of 2056 public elementary schools	63.0%		55.6	807^th of 2067 public elementary schools	61.0%	47	33.3	57.7	62.1	57.1	54.3	57.6	64.8	50.0	38.1	29.6	44.7	98.4	98.8	98.8	98.8	98.8	98.6	98.6		12.4	$19,436	$929	$18,507
Lowrie Elementary School	Public	K-6	264 Oak St	Elgin	60123	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5260	397	22	17.8	75.8%	18 (4.5%)	25 (6.3%)	341 (85.9%)	2 (0.5%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	11.9	1877^th of 2056 public elementary schools	8.7%		23.8	1575^th of 2067 public elementary schools	23.8%	302	14.3	13.9	4.0	24.5	32.7	19.5	16.7	14.3	6.1	9.1	11.1	98.5	98.5	98.5	98.5	99.7	98.5	98.5		12.8	$18,429	$1,589	$16,841
McKinley Elementary School	Public	K-6	258 Lovell St	Elgin	60120	Kane County	School District U-46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 888-5262	395	25	15.6	77.5%	28 (7.1%)	11 (2.8%)	346 (87.6%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	17.3	1737^th of 2056 public elementary schools	15.5%		20.3	1674^th of 2067 public elementary schools	19.0%	63	12.2	26.3	31.5	29.3	16.7	25.5	33.3	25.5	7.3	5.0	18.3	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0		11.8	$18,061	$1,805	$16,256
Prairie View Grade School	Public	PK, KG-5	10N630 Nesler Rd	Elgin	60124	Kane County	Central CUSD 301	No	(n/a)	No	No	(847) 464-6014	615	40	15.5	16.3%	355 (57.7%)	18 (2.9%)	82 (13.3%)	130 (21.1%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (3.9%)	81.4	365^th of 2056 public elementary schools	82.2%		76.4	449^th of 2067 public elementary schools	78.3%	84	45.6	69.7	79.4	76.6		75.2	73.2	68.2	40.2		60.7	92.0	91.7	91.7	91.7	5.3	92.0	91.6	5.3		$15,563	$241	$15,322

Frequently Asked Questions about Hillcrest Elementary School

Is Hillcrest Elementary School a good school?

Hillcrest Elementary School ranks 1453^rd of 2056 Illinois elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 509 students attended Hillcrest Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Hillcrest Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Hillcrest Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Larkin High School

What is the racial makeup of Hillcrest Elementary School?

Students at Hillcrest Elementary School are 79% Hispanic, 12% White, 4% African American, 2% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

What district is Hillcrest Elementary School in?

School District U-46

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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.