The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Science. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hillside Elementary School
Hillside Elementary School serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a controlled-access military installation in Pierce County. The school is part of the Clover Park School District, which operates schools on and around the base. Because Hillside sits inside a military installation, its student body is made up almost entirely of children from active-duty service families, and the school's daily operations are shaped by the rhythms of military life.
The school is a regular public elementary school, not a charter or magnet. It enrolls a substantial number of students for an elementary school serving pre-K through fifth grade. The student body is diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by white students, with Black students, students of two or more races, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, and Asian students each represented in smaller proportions. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is common in schools serving military families where pay scales and housing allowances factor into eligibility.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that proficiency rates in math and English language arts are below the midpoint among districts in Pierce County. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in the county. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through five fall in a narrow range, with the highest rate in grade four and the lowest in grade five. In English language arts, the pattern is similar, with grade five posting the highest rate and grade three the lowest. Science results for grade five are available and show a proficiency rate that is higher than the school's math and ELA rates but still below the county median. Because this is the first year of data available for the school, there is no trend to report; it is not possible to say whether performance is improving or declining.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education identification and English learner status were not available in the source materials. A parent may want to ask the school directly about the share of students receiving special education services or English language support.
Hillside sits on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a controlled-access military installation. The base is the dominant employer and civic anchor, and the school's location means that access to the building requires a Department of Defense identification card or a visitor pass. The student population reflects the diversity of the military community, with a large share of Hispanic students and significant representation of white, Black, multiracial, and Pacific Islander students. The school's enrollment is large for an elementary school, and the grade distribution shows a steady decline from kindergarten through fifth grade, which is typical of schools on military bases where families transfer in and out on a regular cycle.
The Clover Park School District, which operates Hillside, did not have any recent major changes publicly reported in the available search results. The district serves both on-base and off-base communities, including the nearby city of Lakewood. For families stationed at Lewis Main, Hillside is the neighborhood elementary school within the installation, and the school's calendar and support services are designed to accommodate the frequent moves and deployments that military families experience.
The school's academic proficiency rates are below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Pierce County. In both math and English language arts, the share of students meeting state standards is lower than the county median. Science proficiency, while higher than the school's own math and ELA rates, also falls below the county median. A parent considering Hillside may want to ask the school about the specific academic interventions and supports available, particularly given the high mobility of the student population and the challenges that frequent relocations can pose for consistent academic progress.
The student body is economically diverse in the sense that a very large share qualifies for meal assistance, which is typical for schools on military installations where family income is tied to pay grades and housing allowances. The school's racial and ethnic composition is notably diverse, with no single group forming a majority. Hispanic students are the largest group, followed by white students, and the school also enrolls Black students, students of two or more races, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, and Asian students in smaller numbers.
Because Hillside is a pre-K through fifth grade school, there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education identification and English learner status were not available in the source materials, so a parent may want to follow up with the school to understand the level of support for students with disabilities and for students learning English.
The school sits on a controlled-access military installation. Families living on base can walk or drive to the school within the perimeter, but off-base visitors must go through the visitor control center. The base itself is the dominant employer and civic anchor, with the Department of Defense as the primary employer. The school's calendar and support services are designed to accommodate the frequent moves and deployments that military families experience. For families stationed at Lewis Main, Hillside is the neighborhood elementary school, and the school's staff are experienced in working with children who are adjusting to new assignments and parental deployments.
The district brief did not turn up any recent major changes such as boundary adjustments, curriculum overhauls, or facility bond measures. The district's focus appears to be on serving the military-connected population, and families moving to the base can expect a school that is accustomed to enrolling students mid-year and supporting children through transitions.
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