Hillcrest School

Hillcrest School is an elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Harlowton, MT, part of the Harlowton K-12 school district. With 195 students enrolled, Hillcrest School faces several challenges, including lower-than-average test scores and a declining statewide ranking.

Hillcrest School's test scores lag behind the state and district averages across multiple subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2024-2025, only 24.55% of Hillcrest students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 32.64% for the Harlowton K-12 district and 43.09% statewide. The school also has very high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, ranging from 76.41% to 80.47% in recent years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. However, Hillcrest School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.3 to 12.1 in recent years, which could be a potential strength.

Compared to the nearby Judith Gap School, which has only 25 students and significantly lower test scores, Hillcrest School may be the better-performing option in the local area. However, the data suggests that Hillcrest School is struggling to keep pace with other elementary schools in the state, and addressing the school's challenges may require a comprehensive approach, including targeted academic interventions and support for economically disadvantaged students.