The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Science. The lowest is 45% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hillcrest School
Hillcrest School is a neighborhood elementary school in Logan, Utah, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Logan City School District. The school is situated in the residential area east of the downtown core, a part of the city that sits on elevated bench land. For a family looking at this school, the key question is what the proficiency data reveals about academic performance and what the school’s student body and community context look like.
On state assessments, Hillcrest’s results present a mixed picture. In math and English language arts, proficiency rates fall in a moderate range, with the combined rate across all tested subjects placing the school above the midpoint relative to other districts in Cache County. That is a solid standing, but it is not at the top of the local pack. Science proficiency is stronger, with a notably higher share of students meeting the bar. The overall proficiency index of roughly half the students scoring proficient or above means that a parent should expect the school’s core academic program to serve many children well, but that some students will need additional support to hit grade-level targets.
The school enrolls a diverse student body by Logan’s standards. Roughly a third of students identify as Hispanic or Latino, with white students making up the majority and small shares of Asian, multiracial, Black, and Native American students. About two out of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a meaningful indicator that the school serves a community with substantial economic diversity. This peer environment means families from varied backgrounds are present, and the school’s programs and resources are oriented to that mix.
Hillcrest’s context is the Logan City School District, which has made news for its recent budgeting decisions. The district approved budgets for the last two school years that included property tax decreases, a pattern that reduces the cost of living for homeowners in the district. At the same time, the district has been developing a new strategic plan, inviting public input in 2024, which suggests that the district’s leadership is actively shaping future priorities. The district covers the city of Logan, a mid-sized city that is home to Utah State University and a range of manufacturing, processing, and medical employers. The housing market reflects the area’s desirability, with home values above the national median and rents climbing notably in the past year.
For a parent considering whether Hillcrest is a fit, the school offers a reasonably performing academic program within a district that has kept taxes low. The moderate proficiency data means that a child who is already at or above grade level will likely find solid instruction, while a child who is behind may require extra effort from the family to supplement what the school provides. The school’s size and grade band are standard for an elementary school, and there is no indication of unusual program offerings—no magnet or charter status, no specialized theme. The reported data does not include information on advanced coursework, gifted programs, or specialized support services, so a parent should ask the school directly about enrichment and intervention structures. The school also serves only kindergarten through fifth grade, so the transition to the district’s middle school will come quickly.
Logan itself is a university town with a compact downtown, a zero-fare bus system, and strong bike commuting rates. The presence of Utah State University brings cultural amenities, a young population, and a steady stream of new residents. Growth north and south of the city is rapid, which adds to the area’s dynamism but also to school enrollment pressures. For a family, this means the community is active and changing, not static.
The main gap in the available data is the absence of information on chronic absenteeism, discipline, school climate surveys, and staffing ratios. These are important factors in how a school actually functions day to day, so a prospective parent would want to tour the building, talk to current families, and ask about student support systems. The district’s strategic plan process may eventually provide more clarity on these fronts. For now, Hillcrest presents as a capable, community-grounded elementary school with modest academic results and a diverse student body, set in a growing and affordable college town with a district that has been keeping tax bills low.
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