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Hillcrest Elementary

Q: Is Hillcrest Elementary a good school?

Hillcrest Elementary ranks 329 th of 656 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

329^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 656 Kansas Elementary Schools

Better than 50% of Kansas elementary schools

Summary

Hillcrest Elementary is a public elementary school in Lawrence, Kansas, serving 415 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Lawrence school district, which is ranked 110 out of 264 districts in the state.

Hillcrest Elementary's academic performance on the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) tests is generally below the Lawrence district and Kansas state averages across all grades and subjects. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA) was 50.48% at Hillcrest, compared to 49.27% in the Lawrence district and 44.47% statewide. In mathematics, the proficiency rate at Hillcrest was 37.73%, lower than the Lawrence district at 41.81% and the state at 38.73%. However, Hillcrest's performance on the science assessment was better, with 55.68% of students proficient or better, compared to 47.89% in the Lawrence district and 41.44% statewide.

Hillcrest Elementary has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 19.5% to 28.0% in recent years, which is significantly higher than the state average. The school's performance is generally lower than the nearby Langston Hughes Elementary and Quail Run Elementary, which consistently rank among the top elementary schools in the state. The high rates of chronic absenteeism and the large proportion of students from low-income backgrounds at Hillcrest Elementary may be contributing factors to the school's relatively lower academic performance, presenting an opportunity for targeted interventions and support to improve outcomes.

393

Students ?

11.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,864

Per pupil spending ?

61.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1045 Hilltop Dr
Lawrence, KS 66044

(785) 832-5720

District: Lawrence

Students who attend Hillcrest Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Lawrence Southwest Middle School
High:	Lawrence High

Racial breakdown:

White:

38.7%

Hispanic:

25.7%

Two or more races:

14.5%

See top rated Kansas elementary schools

Compare Hillcrest Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 38th percentile in 2021 → 50th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kansas average (48% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 50th (2025) from a 38th-percentile low (2021)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school48%

District avg46%

Kansas avg42%

329^th of 656

Kansas public elementary schools ?

Top 50%▼ down 24 pts since 2015

From top 26% (2015) to top 50% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 11Elementary Schools in the Lawrence

110^th of 264Lawrence among Kansas 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	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	50.7	329 of 656	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.9	362 of 653	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	50.8	323 of 660	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.5	380 of 668	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.4	416 of 670	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	57.4	263 of 667	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.7	187 of 656	71.5%	★★★★☆
2017	67.0	193 of 659	70.7%	★★★★☆
2016	82.6	91 of 656	86.1%	★★★★☆
2015	69.0	174 of 678	74.3%	★★★★☆
2013	62.7	301 of 668	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	63.3	291 of 660	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	37.2	492 of 631	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	56.0	336 of 630	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	57.5	327 of 621	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	36.3	463 of 614	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	50.8	364 of 600	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	61.1	259 of 585	55.7%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	39.2	33 of 70	52.9%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	66.1	19 of 129	85.3%	★★★★☆
2024	69.0	11 of 124	91.1%	★★★★★
2023	65.7	20 of 117	82.9%	★★★★☆
2022	61.9	24 of 117	79.5%	★★★★☆
2021	60.4	27 of 108	75.0%	★★★★☆
2019	55.8	38 of 122	68.9%	★★★★☆
2018	69.4	20 of 129	84.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2021	36.2	391 of 591	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	57.4	250 of 591	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.3	190 of 574	66.9%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	28.3	214 of 262	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	38.6	171 of 260	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.0	90 of 245	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.6	112 of 254	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.3	85 of 229	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	27.6	188 of 235	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.5	129 of 207	37.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	35.0	379 of 533	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	38.4	357 of 546	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.5	234 of 541	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.2	245 of 512	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	39.4	327 of 494	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.2	304 of 509	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	60.4	172 of 512	66.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2021	46.0	327 of 605	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	59.5	210 of 586	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.7	165 of 575	71.3%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	61.6	9 of 35	74.3%	★★★★☆
2024	63.3	13 of 41	68.3%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	53.9	121 of 313	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.8	104 of 306	66.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	81.2	79 of 576	86.3%	★★★★☆
2024	73.7	119 of 579	79.4%	★★★★☆
2023	68.5	140 of 584	76.0%	★★★★☆
2022	60.9	197 of 596	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.7	200 of 587	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	83.7	58 of 592	90.2%	★★★★★
2018	91.9	20 of 574	96.5%	★★★★★

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)

White (2025)86th percentile+36 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)85th percentile+35 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)74th percentile+24 vs school

Special Education (2025)61st percentile+11 vs school

African American (2025)53rd percentile+3 vs school

Male (2021)46th percentile+8 vs school

Female (2021)34th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)29th percentile-21 vs school

Hispanic (2025)18th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Kansas (2024-2025) ?

Science56%+14 vs state

English Language Arts50%+6 vs state

Mathematics38%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Hillcrest Elementary

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				KAP English Language Arts (2025)				KAP Mathematics (2025)				KAP Science (2025)		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 (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	KAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	KAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	KAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	KAP English Language Arts All Grades	KAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	KAP Mathematics 4th Grade	KAP Mathematics 5th Grade	KAP Mathematics All Grades	KAP Science 5th Grade	KAP Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hillcrest Elementary	Public	K-5	1045 Hilltop Dr	Lawrence	66044	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 832-5720	393	33	11.8	61.8%	152 (38.7%)	44 (11.2%)	101 (25.7%)	30 (7.6%)	9 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (14.5%)	50.7	329^th of 656 public elementary schools	49.8%		45.9	362^nd of 653 public elementary schools	44.6%	33	54.8	49.3	48.0	50.5	43.9	31.9	37.7	37.7	55.7	55.7	$12,864	$1,833	$11,030
Sunset Hill Elementary	Public	K-5	901 Schwarz Rd	Lawrence	66049	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	No	(785) 832-5880	398	28	13.9	51.3%	239 (60.1%)	17 (4.3%)	53 (13.3%)	1 (0.3%)	7 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	81 (20.4%)	41.6	397^th of 656 public elementary schools	39.5%		45.8	364^th of 653 public elementary schools	44.3%	33	54.1	38.7	47.3	46.6	42.6	33.9	34.5	37.1	40.0	40.0	$11,559	$1,369	$10,190
Deerfield Elementary	Public	K-5	101 Lawrence Avenue	Lawrence	66049	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	No	(785) 832-5660	433	28	15.2	32.1%	296 (68.4%)	23 (5.3%)	46 (10.6%)	6 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (13.9%)	64.9	221^st of 656 public elementary schools	66.3%		68.7	175^th of 653 public elementary schools	73.2%	46	57.1	59.7	53.2	56.3	44.0	61.8	50.5	51.4	47.9	47.9	$10,736	$1,009	$9,727
New York Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	936 New York Street	Lawrence	66044	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 832-5780	415	21	19.9	57.3%	213 (51.3%)	28 (6.7%)	74 (17.8%)	3 (0.7%)	6 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	91 (21.9%)	17.6	565^th of 656 public elementary schools	13.9%		47.9	349^th of 653 public elementary schools	46.6%	216	32.1	31.0	36.4	32.9	17.9	31.0	13.6	21.5	30.4	30.4	$12,380	$1,649	$10,731
Schwegler Elementary	Public	K-5	2201 Ousdahl Rd	Lawrence	66046	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 832-5860	434	31	13.9	61.5%	189 (43.5%)	32 (7.4%)	120 (27.6%)	10 (2.3%)	17 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (15.2%)	34.6	456^th of 656 public elementary schools	30.5%		41.2	406^th of 653 public elementary schools	37.8%	50	47.0	41.7	46.8	45.2	29.0	28.6	27.4	28.3	44.4	44.4	$12,711	$2,063	$10,648
Cordley Elementary	Public	K-5	204 West 19th Street	Lawrence	66044	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 832-5640	348	29	11.8	59.8%	183 (52.6%)	16 (4.6%)	75 (21.6%)	11 (3.2%)	8 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (15.8%)	56.3	284^th of 656 public elementary schools	56.7%		59	252^nd of 653 public elementary schools	61.4%	32	70.0	48.0	48.5	54.8	54.0	44.0	36.8	44.0	42.0	42.0	$14,901	$2,026	$12,875
Woodlawn Elementary	Public	K-5	508 Elm St	Lawrence	66044	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 832-5920	240	20	12.1	52.1%	151 (62.9%)	14 (5.8%)	27 (11.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (17.9%)	36.5	442^nd of 656 public elementary schools	32.6%		17	567^th of 653 public elementary schools	13.2%	125	47.6	36.6	45.2	43.2	30.2	32.5	42.8	35.2	39.0	39.0	$13,184	$1,579	$11,604
Quail Run Elementary	Public	K-5	1130 Inverness Drive	Lawrence	66049	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	No	(785) 832-5820	421	27	15.4	25.2%	297 (70.5%)	25 (5.9%)	32 (7.6%)	9 (2.1%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (12.6%)	78.8	114^th of 656 public elementary schools	82.6%		84.9	78^th of 653 public elementary schools	88.1%	36	60.5	65.1	66.7	63.6	47.0	66.7	66.7	58.6	60.0	60.0	$12,012	$1,188	$10,824
Sunflower Elementary	Public	K-5	2521 Inverness Drive	Lawrence	66047	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	No	(785) 832-5870	444	33	13.3	43.0%	268 (60.4%)	32 (7.2%)	61 (13.7%)	11 (2.5%)	12 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	60 (13.5%)	63.1	233^rd of 656 public elementary schools	64.5%		62	224^th of 653 public elementary schools	65.7%	9	54.3	58.8	60.0	57.5	35.7	47.5	49.2	43.7	59.7	59.7	$11,089	$1,522	$9,567
Prairie Park Elementary	Public	K-5	2711 Kensington Road	Lawrence	66046	Douglas County	Lawrence	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 832-5740	354	26	13.5	51.7%	196 (55.4%)	23 (6.5%)	44 (12.4%)	3 (0.8%)	14 (4.0%)	1 (0.3%)	73 (20.6%)	42.2	392^nd of 656 public elementary schools	40.2%		24.8	517^th of 653 public elementary schools	20.8%	125	65.6	36.9	47.1	50.8	56.7	15.2	30.0	35.2	35.7	35.7	$12,763	$1,958	$10,804

Frequently Asked Questions about Hillcrest Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Hillcrest Elementary?

Students at Hillcrest Elementary are 39% White, 26% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 11% African American, 8% Asian, 2% American Indian.

How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 393 students attended Hillcrest Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Hillcrest Elementary attend?

Students who attend Hillcrest Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lawrence Southwest Middle School
High : Lawrence High

Is Hillcrest Elementary a good school?

Hillcrest Elementary ranks 329^th of 656 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Hillcrest Elementary in?

Lawrence

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