The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in Science. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hillcrest El Sch
Hillcrest Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Drexel Hill, a densely populated inner-ring suburb of Philadelphia about five to eight miles southwest of Center City. The school is part of the Upper Darby School District, which covers all of Upper Darby Township and operates on a standardized curriculum framework across its schools. At Hillcrest, all students enrolled qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school has a notably diverse student body with substantial representation of Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students.
On state assessments in 2024-25, Hillcrest's proficiency rates in the tested grades (3-5) were below the midpoint among Delaware County districts. In English language arts, roughly one in three students scored at the proficient level or above. Mathematics proficiency was somewhat lower, with just under one-third of students meeting that threshold. Science results from an earlier year (2022-23) were higher, with a majority of students scoring proficient. A parent evaluating this school should know that reading and math proficiency are both areas where the school's performance lags its county peer set, and a parent may want to discuss with the school what supports exist for students who are not yet proficient in these foundational subjects.
The enrollment sits around mid-range for an elementary school, with roughly equal numbers across most grade levels and slightly more students in fourth grade. All students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects the school's position in an established residential neighborhood with limited economic diversity. The district has standardized its mathematics curriculum on enVisions Math for grades K-8, ensuring consistent instruction in this subject across Hillcrest and other elementary schools in Upper Darby.
Drexel Hill itself is a walkable, tree-lined suburb with local shops, restaurants, and parks woven into a residential grid of single-family homes, twins, and rowhouses. The area is served by two SEPTA trolley lines and multiple bus routes, making transit access feasible for families without a second car. Housing values in the zip code are moderate relative to the national benchmark, and the area is experiencing interest as a location for infill development. The Upper Darby School District is undertaking a major construction project to bring a new middle school to nearby Clifton Heights, which will relieve overcrowding at the secondary level, though the district remains under fiscal pressure and families should expect continued increases in property taxes.
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