The top reported proficiency rate is 92% in Math. The lowest is 83% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Hilltop Primary School
Hilltop Primary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in the Westonka Public School District, located in Minnetrista, a largely rural exurb roughly twenty-three miles west of Minneapolis. Minnetrista covers thirty-one square miles and includes part of Lake Minnetonka along with several other lakes. It is a low-density community of large-lot homes, farmsteads, and agricultural land, with no traditional downtown or walkable commercial district. Most residents commute to jobs elsewhere in the western suburbs or Minneapolis. The school itself sits in this residential and agricultural setting.
The school is a regular public school with an enrollment that is small for a primary building serving five grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a modest share of students from two or more races and a smaller share of Hispanic students. Asian, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native students each make up a very small portion of the population. A relatively low proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school’s families overall have above-average financial resources. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education and language support services.
Academically, Hilltop Primary posts very strong results on state assessments in both math and reading. In third and fourth grade math, and in third and fourth grade reading, the vast majority of students are meeting state proficiency standards. Compared with other schools across Hennepin County, Hilltop’s overall proficiency places it in the top quartile. This is a clear strength. Because the school only serves through fourth grade, there are no high school metrics such as graduation rate or college readiness data to consider.
The district has made several recent changes relevant to a family evaluating the school. A bond referendum passed in 2025, approved by a substantial majority of voters, to fund roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, security enhancements, and classroom improvements across district buildings. That bond will mean a tax increase for property owners. A new K-4 math curriculum was adopted and implemented, emphasizing hands-on learning and problem-solving. A new STEM program launched at the middle school and has been expanded to all grade levels. A district-wide cell phone policy limiting use during instructional time was made permanent and is now in its second year, with preliminary signs of improved student engagement.
Housing in the area is expensive relative to national and state benchmarks. The typical home value is above the state median, and the typical rent is also high relative to incomes. For a family considering a move to Minnetrista, this means the housing market is a significant factor, consistent with the area’s affluent profile. Minnetrista is growing steadily, with plans to add more housing and possibly expand wastewater infrastructure to support further development.
Hilltop Primary is a solid academic performer in a well-funded, growing district that has recently invested in facilities, curricula, and technology. Its student body is relatively homogeneous economically and racially. Families looking for a small, high-performing primary school in an exurban, lake-oriented community with limited commercial amenities and a long commute to downtown Minneapolis should find this a strong fit. Those who need robust English learner or special education data, or who prefer a more economically or racially diverse peer environment, would want to gather more details from the school directly.
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