Hillcrest Elementary

Summary:

Hillcrest Elementary is a public elementary school in Morganton, North Carolina, serving 284 students in grades PK-5. The school faces significant challenges, with consistently underperforming academic results, a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, and a large Hispanic and English Language Learner (ELL) population.

Hillcrest Elementary has a much higher percentage of Hispanic students (70.77%) compared to nearby schools like W.A. Young Elementary (5.23%) and Valdese Elementary (45.35%). This diverse student population, combined with a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds (69.18% to 94.37% receive free or reduced-price lunch), contributes to the school's academic struggles. Hillcrest consistently underperforms the Burke County Schools district and the state of North Carolina in standardized test scores for Mathematics, Reading, and Science.

Hillcrest Elementary has been ranked in the bottom 25% of North Carolina elementary schools for the past several years, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's Hispanic and ELL students perform significantly worse than their peers across the state, suggesting that Hillcrest may need to strengthen its support and resources for these high-need subgroups. Nearby schools like Mull Elementary and W.A. Young Elementary generally outperform Hillcrest, indicating that the school faces unique challenges that the other schools in the Burke County Schools district do not.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 201 Tennessee Street
       Morganton, NC  28655


(828) 437-4258

District: Burke County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1184th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,197 Help


Students who attend Hillcrest Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Walter R Johnson Middle
High:    Freedom High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.3 Help
Number of students:  258

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
71.7%
White:
15.1%
African American:
6.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  98.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Hillcrest Elementary ranks worse than 78.7% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 13th among 14 ranked elementary schools in the Burke County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.68. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (71.7%), White (15.1%), African American (6.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 98.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Burke County Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary is 13.3, which is the 3rd best among 14 elementary schools in the Burke County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Hillcrest Elementary employs 19.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hillcrest Elementary is $11,197, which is the highest among 14 elementary schools in the Burke County Schools District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Hillcrest Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillcrest Elementary 1184th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Hillcrest Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Burke County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Burke County Schools 110th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Hillcrest Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 66.83 393rd 1276 69.2%
2007 62.71 494th 1293 61.8%
2008 60.77 535th 1324 59.6%
2009 80.55 191st 1354 85.9%
2010 80.33 190th 1363 86.1%
2011 60.54 600th 1381 56.6%
2012 58.35 639th 1388 54.0%
2013 48.07 696th 1403 50.4%
2014 45.80 767th 1390 44.8%
2015 38.76 937th 1440 34.9%
2016 29.62 1081st 1425 24.1%
2017 21.51 1194th 1429 16.4%
2018 18.18 1234th 1434 13.9%
2019 35.61 1010th 1473 31.4%
2021 16.72 1276th 1489 14.3%
2022 14.62 1367th 1514 9.7%
2023 22.18 1226th 1502 18.4%
2024 25.68 1184th 1505 21.3%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.79 300th 421 28.7%
2019 41.44 281st 497 43.5%
2021 35.90 236th 385 38.7%
2022 34.27 336th 485 30.7%
2023 44.08 261st 514 49.2%
2024 32.95 382nd 533 28.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.83 917th 1332 31.2%
2019 54.95 581st 1361 57.3%
2021 31.35 935th 1329 29.6%
2022 33.54 957th 1366 29.9%
2023 37.82 951st 1437 33.8%
2024 41.41 903rd 1450 37.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.69 1279th 1405 9.0%
2019 34.76 998th 1424 29.9%
2021 20.84 1174th 1440 18.5%
2022 24.02 1185th 1458 18.7%
2023 31.01 1064th 1459 27.1%
2024 25.18 1159th 1455 20.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.47 863rd 897 3.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.95 1143rd 1413 19.1%
2019 39.92 922nd 1430 35.5%
2021 14.90 1276th 1444 11.6%
2022 10.32 1391st 1464 5.0%
2023 19.29 1246th 1461 14.7%
2024 26.89 1145th 1464 21.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.11 729th 851 14.3%
2019 38.73 562nd 865 35.0%
2021 27.79 670th 843 20.5%
2022 28.35 725th 893 18.8%
2023 41.18 550th 915 39.9%
2024 40.16 593rd 951 37.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Hillcrest Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.60 1013th 1178 14.0%
2021 15.16 1093rd 1172 6.7%
2023 0.75 1181st 1183 0.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Hillcrest Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Open Quote The teachers are grate. They have a really good sports director. There eogs scores are good. My son has went there for 5 years and I have never had any trouble with any one there. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Hillcrest Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 176 90 18 0 2 n/a n/a 0 286
1989 177 92 17 3 0 n/a n/a 0 289
1990 186 88 31 0 2 n/a n/a 0 307
1991 181 86 15 6 1 n/a n/a 0 289
1992 183 93 16 8 0 n/a n/a 0 300
1993 150 84 28 4 2 n/a n/a 0 268
1994 159 81 35 19 0 n/a n/a 0 294
1995 182 102 13 40 0 n/a n/a 0 337
1996 182 102 13 40 0 n/a n/a 0 337
1997 203 102 12 45 0 n/a n/a 0 362
1998 205 98 15 75 0 n/a n/a 0 393
1999 215 108 17 75 0 n/a n/a 0 415
2000 187 102 14 94 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2001 178 106 15 73 0 n/a n/a 0 372
2002 148 93 10 94 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2003 148 93 10 94 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2004 136 79 9 106 2 n/a n/a 0 332
2005 140 84 6 131 0 n/a n/a 0 361
2006 79 53 2 107 0 n/a n/a 0 241
2007 73 17 3 105 0 n/a n/a 16 214
2008 73 27 1 105 0 n/a n/a 15 221
2009 56 48 0 107 0 n/a n/a 0 211
2010 55 36 0 118 0 n/a n/a 0 209
2011 134 57 0 235 0 0 21 0 447
2012 104 58 1 291 1 0 19 0 474
2013 89 51 2 303 1 2 22 0 470
2014 88 47 6 313 0 0 23 0 477
2015 87 46 9 367 0 0 28 0 537
2016 85 46 3 375 0 0 22 0 531
2017 77 42 6 369 0 0 32 0 526
2018 92 52 8 363 0 6 30 0 551
2019 49 25 4 182 0 1 10 0 271
2020 47 24 4 188 0 1 12 0 276
2021 43 27 3 193 0 1 12 0 279
2022 32 18 1 201 0 1 13 0 266
2023 41 22 1 201 0 3 16 0 284
2024 39 17 0 185 0 1 16 0 258

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Hillcrest Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 286 25.0 11.4 53.8
1989 289 19.0 15.2 66.4
1990 307 19.0 16.1 60.9
1991 289 19.0 15.2 64.7
1992 300 19.0 15.7 54
1993 268 21.0 12.8 79.5
1994 294 21.0 14.0 61.6
1995 337 25.0 13.5 54.6
1996 337 25.0 13.5 54.6
1997 362 26.0 13.9 53
1998 393 30.0 13.1 53.4
1999 415 35.0 11.9 63.1
2000 397 32.0 12.4 64.7
2001 372 32.0 11.6 74.5
2002 345 30.0 11.5 72.8
2003 345 30.0 11.5 72.8
2004 332 33.0 10.1 75.9
2005 361 38.0 9.5 82.8
2006 241 32.0 7.5 83
2007 214 n/a n/a 79.3
2008 221 26.2 8.4 94.2
2009 211 25.3 8.3 65.9
2010 209 18.7 11.2 83.7
2011 447 32.5 13.7 83
2012 474 29.1 16.2 88.4
2013 470 32.6 14.3 90.6
2014 477 32.8 14.5 99.4
2015 537 34.0 15.7 99.1
2016 531 34.0 15.6 96.6
2017 526 31.2 16.8 97.5
2018 551 33.7 16.3 93.3
2019 271 22.0 12.3 90.8
2020 276 20.9 13.1 92
2021 279 19.6 14.1 69.2
2022 266 18.9 14.0 89.8
2023 284 20.7 13.6 94.4
2024 258 19.3 13.3 98.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Hillcrest Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 286 25.0 11.4 53.8
1989 289 19.0 15.2 66.4
1990 307 19.0 16.1 60.9
1991 289 19.0 15.2 64.7
1992 300 19.0 15.7 54
1993 268 21.0 12.8 79.5
1994 294 21.0 14.0 61.6
1995 337 25.0 13.5 54.6
1996 337 25.0 13.5 54.6
1997 362 26.0 13.9 53
1998 393 30.0 13.1 53.4
1999 415 35.0 11.9 63.1
2000 397 32.0 12.4 64.7
2001 372 32.0 11.6 74.5
2002 345 30.0 11.5 72.8
2003 345 30.0 11.5 72.8
2004 332 33.0 10.1 75.9
2005 361 38.0 9.5 82.8
2006 241 32.0 7.5 83
2007 214 n/a n/a 79.3
2008 221 26.2 8.4 94.2
2009 211 25.3 8.3 65.9
2010 209 18.7 11.2 83.7
2011 447 32.5 13.7 83
2012 474 29.1 16.2 88.4
2013 470 32.6 14.3 90.6
2014 477 32.8 14.5 99.4
2015 537 34.0 15.7 99.1
2016 531 34.0 15.6 96.6
2017 526 31.2 16.8 97.5
2018 551 33.7 16.3 93.3
2019 271 22.0 12.3 90.8
2020 276 20.9 13.1 92
2021 279 19.6 14.1 69.2
2022 266 18.9 14.0 89.8
2023 284 20.7 13.6 94.4
2024 258 19.3 13.3 98.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Hillcrest Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,694 (15.1%) $9,503 (84.9%) $11,197

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Hillcrest Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1010th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 1226th of 1502 Elementary schools
 13.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary)44.430.2
 14.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Burke County Schools)66.563.6
 2.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Hillcrest Elementary)41.725.6
 16.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Burke County Schools)59.443.3
 16.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary)65.941.5
 24.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Burke County Schools)55.858.9
 3.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Hillcrest Elementary)46.336.6
 9.7%
   4th Grade Reading (Burke County Schools)60.354
 6.3%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hillcrest Elementary)55.342.6
 12.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Burke County Schools)58.461.3
 2.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Hillcrest Elementary)40.434
 6.4%
   5th Grade Reading (Burke County Schools)53.851.1
 2.7%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Hillcrest Elementary)70.259.6
 10.6%
   5th Grade Science (Burke County Schools)81.572.7
 8.8%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students271284
 4.8%
African American2522
 12%
American Indian00
Asian41
 75%
Hispanic182201
 10.4%
Pacific Islander13
 200%
White4941
 16.3%
Two or More Races1016
 60%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients90.8%94.4%
 3.6%


Schools Near Hillcrest Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Hillcrest Elementary

Students who attend Hillcrest Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Walter R Johnson Middle
High : Freedom High

In the 2023-24 school year, 258 students attended Hillcrest Elementary.

Hillcrest Elementary ranks in the bottom 21.3% of North Carolina elementary schools.

Students at Hillcrest Elementary are 72% Hispanic, 15% White, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

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.





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