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GreatSchools Rating

Hilltop Elementary School

Public | PK-4 | 563 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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12 reviews of this school


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Posted April 11, 2013

The teachers and counselors are awesome, but the principal seems to have a bad attitude. Does not seem approachable, unless you are one of the in parents.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 4, 2012

So disappointed in this school. It continues to be the underachiver in the district. The inexperience of the current principal and past principal is having such a negative impact. Poorly run and the focus seems to be on popular and not on the childerens education. Already moved mine to the charter school, even though I loved many of the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 28, 2011

I absolutely adore this school! The teachers and principal/ assistant principal and councelor are wonderful, caring people. I could not be happier. They test for dyslexia in K and 1st grade! This is unheard of!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 6, 2009

The school is academically challenging, but I've also found them to be flexible and nurturing in working with children with different learning styles. There's a great deal of parental involvement in the community and it's a focus of the school as well. My kids are happy here and getting a strong foundation for future learning.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 27, 2009

There are good things about Hilltop, but academics would not be one of them. Unfortunately, most of the parents are focused on Argyle becoming an athletic powerhouse and sports dominates much of the talk and focus. Although my children are great athletes, the culture just offers so little emphasis on academics it has grown frustrating. In many grades there are no honors programs of any sort. When there is an honors class, it may involve just less than half the grade, which hardly allows for advanced curriculum. I have found the administration to be very bureaucratic. I simply believe they have no aspirations other than to achieve 'Exemplary' status on the state grading system. Socially, my kids love it. Lots of friends. The small town / everybody knows everyone aspect has its strengths and weaknesses. Very cliqueish, and the lack of minority representation is alarming (the school make-up is predominately white).
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 3, 2009

Hilltop is a caring inviroment for learning and has one of the best art teachers in the world


Posted September 18, 2009

Hilltop has great kids, wonderful teachers and staff and a fun place to be with lots of learning going on.


Posted March 3, 2009

Mediocre at best. There is nothing exciting going on at this school. If it was once good, it is now average.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 26, 2007

great academically, great teacher dedication, excellent paretn involvement!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 26, 2006

Academics are average, plenty of field trips, extra programs, and tons of parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 6, 2005

Great teacher dedication and work ethic to academic achievement.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 6, 2003

Great school with teacher and parents always working together for the betterment of the student.


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 87% in 2011.

100 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
90%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

100 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
100%

2008

 
 
97%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 88% in 2011.

123 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
85%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

122 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
93%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

120 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
93%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students88%
Female85%
Male91%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education100%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English91%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students89%
Female89%
Male89%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education92%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English92%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students87%
Female85%
Male90%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White90%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Special education77%
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)40%
Proficient in English89%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant87%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students93%
Female92%
Male95%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic82%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White95%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education92%
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)80%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students98%
Female98%
Male98%
Black or African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White98%
Economically disadvantaged94%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education100%
Not special education98%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant98%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Exemplary".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Exemplary".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 89% 34%
Hispanic 10% 48%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Black 0% 14%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 12%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 8%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 5%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 12%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 2%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 8%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 35%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 41%N/A23%
21 or more years 14%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1050 Harrison Ln
Argyle, TX 76226
Phone: (940) 464-7241

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