- Enrollment
- 552
- Students per teacher
- 14.9:1
- Resource Index
- 29/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Alma, MI
Hillcrest Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Hillcrest Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 26/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 260264003977
👥 S:T ratio 11
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 38
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Hillcrest Elementary School earns 26/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 89% of Michigan schools.
- #3 of 5
- public schools in Alma · Resource Index
- 26
- Resource Index · Lower
- 22.2:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 64.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Hillcrest Elementary School has class sizes larger than 89% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Hillcrest Elementary School ranks #3 of 5 public schools in Alma, MI.
School address
District: Alma Public Schools · Michigan
NCES ID 260264003977 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+141 students YoY
Hillcrest Elementary School grew from 268 students in 2022-23 to 409 in 2023-24 (+52.6%).
Teacher FTE added 18.9 → 26.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+141 students YoY 260264003977 · Alma, MI Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
400 enr · 22.2:1 · 64.2% lunch · RII 26
Nearest enrollment peer: Alma Senior High School (552 students)
Hillcrest Elementary School grew from 268 students in 2022-23 to 409 in 2023-24 (+52.6%). Teacher FTE added 18.9 → 26.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
Hillcrest Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Alma Senior Hi
Alma Senior High School
552 students
- Donald L Pavli
Donald L Pavlik Middle School
457 students
- This school
Hillcrest Elementary School
400 students
- Pine Avenue El
Pine Avenue Elementary School
265 students
- Luce Road Elem 141
Luce Road Elementary School
141 students
What this shows Hillcrest Elementary School reports 400 students on the CCD universe file.
How Hillcrest Elementary School compares
Hillcrest Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 22.2:1 | ▲ 27% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 64.2% | ▲ 18% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 400 | top 42% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
22.2:1
Leaner classes than 10% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
400
Bigger than 47% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
64.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 18% above the Michigan average of 54.3%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
22.2:1
students per teacher
- 27% above state mean
Top 89% in Michigan - lower ratio than 11% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
24.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,702
per pupil, district-wide
- below Michigan avg of $15,012
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
10
in-school suspensions + 9 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 4.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 86.0%
Hispanic or Latino 8.8%
Two or More 4.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%
African American 0.3%
Asian 0.3%
Largest group: White at 86.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 25.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 25.1, Hillcrest Elementary School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Alma Public Schools reports $14,702 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Hillcrest Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alma Senior High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Donald L Pavlik Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Pine Avenue Elementary School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Luce Road Elementary School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Hillcrest Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 457
- Students per teacher
- 19:1
- Resource Index
- 16/100
- Enrollment
- 265
- Students per teacher
- 15.6:1
- Resource Index
- 25/100
- Enrollment
- 141
- Students per teacher
- 6.7:1
- Resource Index
- 52/100
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~400 students)
Frequently asked questions about Hillcrest Elementary School
How many students attend Hillcrest Elementary School?
Hillcrest Elementary School has 400 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Alma, MI. CCD year-over-year: 268 (2022-23) → 409 (2023-24), up 141.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillcrest Elementary School is 22.2:1, which is 27% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 41% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Hillcrest Elementary School?
64.2% of students at Hillcrest Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Hillcrest Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Hillcrest Elementary School is White at 86.0% of enrollment, in Alma, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Hillcrest Elementary School?
Hillcrest Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 26/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Hillcrest Elementary School rank among public schools in Alma?
By Resource Investment Index, Hillcrest Elementary School ranks #3 of 5 public schools in Alma, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Alma on the city page.
What other schools are in Alma Public Schools?
Besides Hillcrest Elementary School, Alma Public Schools also operates Alma Senior High School (552 students), Donald L Pavlik Middle School (457 students), and Pine Avenue Elementary School (265 students). See the Alma Public Schools district page for the complete list.