Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Summary:

Hilltop Heritage Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, Washington, serving 524 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Tacoma School District, which is ranked 152 out of 247 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Hilltop Heritage has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with higher percentages of African American, Hispanic, and multi-racial students. However, the school consistently ranks in the bottom half of Washington middle schools, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math significantly lower than the district and state averages. Particularly concerning are the poor performances of the school's African American, multi-racial, special education, and low socioeconomic status student subgroups, which rank in the bottom 10-20% of middle schools statewide. Despite the school's relatively high per-student spending of $18,563, these academic outcomes suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to address the significant achievement gaps.

Interestingly, Hilltop Heritage's performance lags behind nearby schools like Mason Middle School, Bryant Montessori Middle School, and Meeker Middle School, raising questions about the factors contributing to the differences in academic outcomes. The school's diverse student population may present unique challenges, and a more targeted approach to addressing the specific needs of its students could be beneficial.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 602 N Sprague Ave
       Tacoma, WA  98403


(253) 571-7700

District: Tacoma School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
369th of 535 Washington Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,563 Help


Students who attend Hilltop Heritage Middle School usually attend:

High:    Stadium High School

Feeder schools for Hilltop Heritage Middle School:

Elementary:    Bryant Montessori School
    Edna Travis Elementary School
    Grant Elementary School
    Lowell Elementary School
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  17.0 Help
Number of students:  479

Racial breakdown:

White:
40.9%
Two or more races:
19.8%
Hispanic:
18.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  64.5% Help


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 Compare Hilltop Heritage Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Hilltop Heritage Middle School ranks worse than 69% of middle schools in Washington. It also ranks 7th among 13 ranked middle schools in the Tacoma School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.39. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Hilltop Heritage Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (40.9%), two or more races (19.8%), Hispanic (18%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 64.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Hilltop Heritage Middle School is 17, which is the 5th best among 13 middle schools in the Tacoma School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Hilltop Heritage Middle School employs 28 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hilltop Heritage Middle School is $18,563, which is the 6th highest among 13 middle schools in the Tacoma School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Hilltop Heritage Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Hilltop Heritage Middle School 369th of 535 Washington public middle schools. (See Hilltop Heritage Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Tacoma School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Tacoma School District 152nd of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Hilltop Heritage Middle School?

Rank History for Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 8.39 407th 421 3.3%
2005 16.53 373rd 425 12.2%
2006 14.51 403rd 449 10.2%
2007 11.90 435th 463 6.0%
2008 15.54 416th 466 10.7%
2009 12.70 442nd 476 7.1%
2010 10.10 451st 483 6.6%
2011 16.88 440th 492 10.6%
2012 22.22 413th 497 16.9%
2013 19.34 429th 498 13.9%
2015 17.62 376th 445 15.5%
2016 27.82 325th 443 26.6%
2017 24.06 339th 435 22.1%
2018 19.55 357th 437 18.3%
2019 18.68 438th 512 14.5%
2021 35.35 341st 529 35.5%
2022 40.33 304th 541 43.8%
2023 32.16 357th 539 33.8%
2024 30.39 369th 535 31.0%
See the entire list of Washington Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.83 134th 166 19.3%
2019 22.46 204th 246 17.1%
2021 16.76 224th 250 10.4%
2022 21.38 214th 257 16.7%
2023 12.15 226th 244 7.4%
2024 11.63 232nd 243 4.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.36 261st 268 2.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.36 322nd 349 7.7%
2019 15.87 411th 448 8.3%
2021 29.78 332nd 458 27.5%
2022 32.87 335th 475 29.5%
2023 14.86 415th 463 10.4%
2024 15.27 412th 455 9.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 16.28 56th 59 5.1%
2022 68.38 6th 33 81.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.37 301st 376 19.9%
2019 24.66 363rd 452 19.7%
2021 29.57 333rd 469 29.0%
2022 38.65 284th 479 40.7%
2023 28.89 337th 464 27.4%
2024 32.71 320th 464 31.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.32 329th 371 11.3%
2019 14.12 410th 453 9.5%
2021 41.26 266th 476 44.1%
2022 40.04 276th 480 42.5%
2023 33.58 313th 470 33.4%
2024 29.08 328th 466 29.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.73 61st 66 7.6%
2019 25.17 93rd 111 16.2%
2021 14.63 101st 106 4.7%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.73 248th 259 4.2%
2019 16.98 308th 344 10.5%
2021 47.05 160th 353 54.7%
2022 56.39 130th 360 63.9%
2023 34.51 217th 336 35.4%
2024 31.50 237th 344 31.1%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.32 217th 325 33.2%
2019 38.21 313th 470 33.4%
2021 57.49 187th 480 61.0%
2022 55.54 198th 488 59.4%
2023 61.63 161st 488 67.0%
2024 53.43 214th 486 56.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent 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.

Hilltop Heritage Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Open Quote My son is a 6th grader at Jason Lee this year. The principal and all teachers have been absolutely wonderful. They have done everything possible to make his transition into middle school easier. Mr. Kellet actually started last year by letting the kids come and spend the day with a buddy to see how it went. Whenever I have had a concern, the principal has emailed or called me back within an hour. I scheduled a meeting with my son's Advisory teacher and all his other teachers popped in to tell me how much they are enjoying my son in their class and talked to me about anything they could do to make school great for him. He even receives postcards in the mail telling him he is doing awesome in a class that he had struggled in before. Mr. Kellet is very hands on. When we were taking a tour through the school during school hours, he went and shook every students hand and knew each and every one by name. I actually opted my son out of the middle school he was suppose to go to and sent him to Jason Lee. It has been a wonderful decision and I am so impressed by the teachers and the principal. My son is loving it and really exceeding in grades more than I expected. This school has had a bad rap in the past, but it seems to be the best decision for my son. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 369 155 128 9 14 n/a n/a 0 675
1989 284 180 113 11 11 n/a n/a 0 599
1990 278 193 110 16 11 n/a n/a 0 608
1991 322 202 83 23 11 n/a n/a 0 641
1992 382 234 103 21 15 n/a n/a 0 755
1993 396 265 89 25 17 n/a n/a 0 792
1994 377 258 107 33 14 n/a n/a 0 789
1995 300 254 131 33 12 n/a n/a 0 730
1996 300 254 131 33 12 n/a n/a 0 730
1997 235 240 123 28 14 n/a n/a 0 640
1998 211 200 117 31 12 n/a n/a 0 571
1999 292 210 119 17 20 n/a n/a 0 658
2000 301 226 85 28 13 n/a n/a 0 653
2001 319 257 80 35 14 n/a n/a 0 705
2002 314 354 75 56 22 n/a n/a 0 821
2003 314 354 75 56 22 n/a n/a 0 821
2004 277 317 53 39 16 n/a n/a 0 702
2005 248 249 46 35 15 n/a n/a 0 593
2006 221 236 45 42 14 n/a n/a 0 558
2007 176 218 49 42 15 n/a n/a 0 500
2008 144 179 53 50 12 n/a n/a 0 438
2009 149 207 48 47 23 n/a n/a 0 474
2010 162 195 41 45 17 n/a n/a 0 460
2011 146 175 25 41 12 6 44 0 449
2012 195 174 17 41 10 6 54 0 497
2013 234 186 18 49 18 9 10 0 524
2014 298 187 26 47 16 13 16 0 603
2015 269 197 24 59 13 14 18 0 594
2016 269 179 24 66 9 18 26 0 591
2017 229 160 30 72 10 11 24 0 536
2018 225 145 25 86 9 15 42 0 547
2019 239 140 23 99 14 14 62 0 591
2020 249 133 24 91 5 16 92 0 610
2021 247 126 20 88 5 16 101 1 604
2022 238 97 13 82 3 19 95 4 551
2023 230 83 23 73 3 17 92 3 524
2024 196 68 16 86 5 11 95 2 479

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 Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 675 36.0 18.7 0
1989 599 34.0 17.6 n/a
1990 608 37.5 16.2 0
1991 641 40.6 15.7 n/a
1992 755 38.2 19.7 n/a
1993 792 42.1 18.8 n/a
1994 789 46.2 17.1 n/a
1995 730 43.6 16.7 n/a
1996 730 43.6 16.7 n/a
1997 640 38.4 16.7 n/a
1998 571 34.4 16.6 n/a
1999 658 39.5 16.7 n/a
2000 653 42.2 15.5 n/a
2001 705 48.8 14.4 n/a
2002 821 47.3 17.4 79.8
2003 821 47.3 17.4 79.8
2004 702 44.0 16.0 76.2
2005 593 44.0 13.5 80.6
2006 558 34.2 16.3 79.4
2007 500 33.4 15.0 76.8
2008 438 34.8 12.6 80.6
2009 474 33.8 14.0 78.5
2010 460 31.0 14.8 80.9
2011 449 35.5 12.6 70.8
2012 497 39.4 12.5 53.7
2013 524 37.5 13.9 72.3
2014 603 n/a n/a 67.8
2015 594 34.0 17.4 70.2
2016 591 34.0 17.3 68.9
2017 536 30.7 17.4 62.3
2018 547 29.4 18.5 60.3
2019 591 29.0 20.3 61.1
2020 610 31.8 19.1 61.3
2021 604 32.0 18.8 62.9
2022 551 30.0 18.3 60.8
2023 524 30.9 16.9 60.1
2024 479 28.0 17.0 64.5

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 Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 675 36.0 18.7 0
1989 599 34.0 17.6 n/a
1990 608 37.5 16.2 0
1991 641 40.6 15.7 n/a
1992 755 38.2 19.7 n/a
1993 792 42.1 18.8 n/a
1994 789 46.2 17.1 n/a
1995 730 43.6 16.7 n/a
1996 730 43.6 16.7 n/a
1997 640 38.4 16.7 n/a
1998 571 34.4 16.6 n/a
1999 658 39.5 16.7 n/a
2000 653 42.2 15.5 n/a
2001 705 48.8 14.4 n/a
2002 821 47.3 17.4 79.8
2003 821 47.3 17.4 79.8
2004 702 44.0 16.0 76.2
2005 593 44.0 13.5 80.6
2006 558 34.2 16.3 79.4
2007 500 33.4 15.0 76.8
2008 438 34.8 12.6 80.6
2009 474 33.8 14.0 78.5
2010 460 31.0 14.8 80.9
2011 449 35.5 12.6 70.8
2012 497 39.4 12.5 53.7
2013 524 37.5 13.9 72.3
2014 603 n/a n/a 67.8
2015 594 34.0 17.4 70.2
2016 591 34.0 17.3 68.9
2017 536 30.7 17.4 62.3
2018 547 29.4 18.5 60.3
2019 591 29.0 20.3 61.1
2020 610 31.8 19.1 61.3
2021 604 32.0 18.8 62.9
2022 551 30.0 18.3 60.8
2023 524 30.9 16.9 60.1
2024 479 28.0 17.0 64.5

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.

6th Grade Immunization Rates

Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201970.5%1.9%1.5%0.5%3.4%95.7%96.1%93.2%95.2%95.2%75.4%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health

Immunization Rates (Entire school)

Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201984.0%0.7%1.2%4.2%96.6%96.8%96.1%96.6%97.1%96.6%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,066 (7.0%) $14,139 (93.0%) $15,205
2020 $1,123 (9.7%) $10,429 (90.3%) $11,552
2021 $1,857 (11.1%) $14,817 (88.9%) $16,675
2022 $2,092 (11.3%) $16,471 (88.7%) $18,563

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Hilltop Heritage Middle School

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 438th of 512 Middle schoolsRanks 357th of 539 Middle schools
 19.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)45.644.4
 1.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)4841.1
 6.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)57.847.9
 9.9%
6th Grade Math (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)37.927.5
 10.4%
   6th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)31.928.2
 3.7%
   6th Grade Math (Washington)47.738.1
 9.6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)49.542.1
 7.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)5245.9
 6.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)6252.1
 9.9%
7th Grade Math (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)35.526.4
 9.1%
   7th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)37.625.7
 11.9%
   7th Grade Math (Washington)49.938.6
 11.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)34.443.5
 9.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)46.942.4
 4.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)59.651.3
 8.3%
8th Grade Math (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)21.221.9
 0.7%
   8th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)30.719.8
 10.9%
   8th Grade Math (Washington)47.234.4
 12.8%
8th Grade Science (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)32.941
 8.2%
   8th Grade Science (Tacoma School District)42.531.9
 10.6%
   8th Grade Science (Washington)53.143.9
 9.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)43.643.3
 0.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)53.447.2
 6.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)32.125.2
 7%
   All Grades Math (Tacoma School District)39.430.5
 8.9%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Hilltop Heritage Middle School)32.941
 8.2%
   All Grades Science (Tacoma School District)45.640
 5.6%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students591524
 11.3%
African American14083
 40.7%
American Indian143
 78.6%
Asian2323
Hispanic9973
 26.3%
Pacific Islander1417
 21.4%
White239230
 3.8%
Two or More Races6292
 48.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients61.1%60.1%
 1%


Schools Near Hilltop Heritage Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Hilltop Heritage Middle School

Students who attend Hilltop Heritage Middle School usually go on to attend Stadium High School

Students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School are 41% White, 20% Two or more races, 18% Hispanic, 14% African American, 3% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian.

Hilltop Heritage Middle School ranks 369th of 535 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 479 students attended Hilltop Heritage Middle School.


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