The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Math. The lowest is 43% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Hill Elementary School
Hill Elementary School sits in the Troy School District, one of twelve elementary schools serving this sprawling, car-oriented suburb of Detroit. Troy is a mature, largely built-out community shaped by postwar growth and a strong corporate base in automotive and financial services. There is no traditional downtown; civic life and commerce spread along wide arterials like Big Beaver Road, with the Somerset Collection mall serving as the closest thing to a public gathering space. For a family considering Hill, that setting means a suburban lifestyle built around driving, with parks, a nature center, a historic village, and a large community center distributed across the city rather than clustered in a walkable core.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment in the mid-300s, which is fairly typical for a Troy elementary. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Asian population and smaller Black, Hispanic, and multiracial groups. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is relatively low, reflecting the broader affluence of the surrounding community. Data on English learners and students with individualized education programs was not available, so those populations cannot be characterized here.
Academically, Hill stands out. On Michigan's M-STEP assessments, math proficiency is strong and consistent across grades three through five, with a clear majority of students meeting or exceeding standards in each tested grade. English language arts results show a pattern worth noting: third-grade proficiency is more modest, but the rate climbs markedly by fourth and again by fifth grade, suggesting students make meaningful progress in literacy as they move through the building. Fifth-grade science proficiency lands at about half of tested students, and social studies is lower still. These two subjects are tested only in fifth grade at the elementary level, so the sample is a single cohort. Social studies proficiency rates should also be read with the awareness that Michigan adjusted its cut scores for that subject, which complicates year-over-year comparison. A parent whose child is interested in science or history might want to ask the school how it approaches those subjects instructionally.
Against its peer set, Hill performs well. Among the roughly four dozen Oakland County districts for which proficiency data was available, Hill's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile. That positions it comfortably above the county median and among the stronger elementary schools in a county known for its high-performing districts.
Because Hill is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and that metric does not apply here. Chronic absenteeism data was also not available in the provided materials. The district brief turned up no recent bond issues, referenda, curriculum overhauls, or tax changes of lasting impact, so there is little to flag on the district-policy front.
The housing market around Hill reflects Troy's status as an affluent, established suburb. Home values in the school's zip code sit well above both state and national benchmarks, and rents are correspondingly high. The broader Oakland County market has been seeing more active listings come online, with homes typically selling in about a month. Median listing prices in the county have softened slightly compared to a year earlier, which may give buyers a bit more room than in recent cycles, though prices remain elevated relative to most of Michigan. For renters, monthly costs are substantial but carry a lower burden relative to local incomes than the typical mortgage at current rates.
What this adds up to is a well-resourced, high-performing elementary school in a stable, affluent suburb with strong corporate employment and extensive civic amenities, though limited walkability and a high cost of entry. Families drawn to academic strength, a diverse but relatively advantaged peer group, and a district with a strong countywide reputation will find Hill a solid fit. Those seeking a more urban, pedestrian-oriented lifestyle, or more affordable housing, may find the tradeoffs harder to accept.
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