The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in English language arts. The lowest is 58% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hillside El
Hillside Elementary is a regular public school in Amarillo serving grades pre-K through 4th grade. The school enrolls a small-to-moderate number of students drawn from the surrounding neighborhood on the city's south side, where new residential development and growing families have expanded the student population.
The student body reflects Amarillo's broader demographic composition. About half are white, roughly a third are Hispanic, and smaller shares are Black or Asian. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. State assessment data on English learner and special education populations is not available in the records provided.
On the most recent STAAR assessments, Hillside's third graders showed mixed results. In math, about half met or exceeded proficiency. In reading, about two-thirds did. Fourth graders performed somewhat better: about two-thirds met or exceeded proficiency in math, and about three-fifths in reading. Across both grades and subjects, the school's proficiency rate was roughly in the middle band—higher than the floor but not in the upper range. The test results show a school where some students are solidly on grade level while others are not yet there.
When looking across all performance levels on the STAAR scale, the picture becomes clearer. Nearly all Hillside students reached the "approaches" grade level in reading, and most reached it in math. But mastery—the highest performance tier—was achieved by only about a quarter of the school in either subject. This gap between "approaches" and "masters" suggests that instruction may be bringing many students to basic proficiency but not pushing as many into advanced command of the material.
Hillside sits within Canyon Independent School District, which covers a large geographic area including Amarillo and surrounding towns. The district is currently navigating substantial budget constraints. Voters have rejected property-tax increases in back-to-back elections, and the district projects a significant structural deficit. These fiscal pressures are driving systemwide spending cuts that affect staffing levels and program resources across all campuses. This is a reality families should understand: the school's ability to invest in classroom materials, electives, enrichment, and staff support is constrained by district finances.
The Hillside neighborhood itself is part of Amarillo's newer residential growth on the south and southwest sides. The broader Amarillo area has grown steadily in recent years, with most new housing and families settling in the Randall County portion of the city. This part of Amarillo tends toward newer suburban development, family-oriented amenities, and mid-priced housing that has attracted young families seeking newer homes and modern schools.
The school appears to be a neighborhood elementary drawing families from its immediate area during a time of moderate growth and demographic change in south Amarillo. Test performance suggests a school with a solid foundation where students are progressing but where the gap between minimum proficiency and advanced learning remains meaningful. The combination of modest academic results and tight district finances means a parent might want to look further into what specific supports and enrichment opportunities the school offers, and whether they align with their child's learning needs and pace.
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