Hilltop Elementary School

Hilltop Elementary School is a middle school serving 188 students in grades 6-8 in Ilwaco, WA, as part of the Ocean Beach School District.

Academic performance at Hilltop Elementary School is consistently below state averages, with recent data showing about one-third of students proficient in English and roughly one-fifth proficient in math. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the past several years, and it faces persistent challenges, as indicated by its consistent low rating. Notably, there is a significant drop in math proficiency between 7th and 8th grade, suggesting a need for focused support in the upper grades. While the school serves a population with significant economic need, per-student spending is substantial and has increased recently without a corresponding improvement in overall academic outcomes.

An interesting finding is that the school shows notable academic success with specific student subgroups, indicating it has effective support strategies for some populations. The school's performance varies between female and male students, with female students consistently outperforming their male peers. There are no other schools within 20 miles for direct comparison, making Hilltop a central educational institution for the local community. The analysis suggests the key opportunity lies in understanding and replicating the school's own successful practices more broadly while addressing the overall downward performance trend.