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GreatSchools Rating

Hill Country Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 916 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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13 reviews of this school


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Posted November 4, 2012

The academic level of this school is fairly decent, it is a safe environment, however; most kids are judgemental and they won't welcome your kids in, unless he or she is up to become a fully "Westlakian" and follow the sheep.


Posted March 31, 2012

An excellent school, but it's true - the principal does not allow students in the building before 7:45 and they do sit outside patiently waiting to get in. I think that's heartless, especially since four or five months out of the year its 90 degrees out at 7:45 am, 100% humidity. They also need lockers, it's insane the weight of the kids backpacks. I put my daughter's on a scale and it was 36 lbs. That is what she has been carrying for years now, at least since 4th grade and she's in 7th now. I know that publishers have to abide by weight limits on textbooks, but it's not textbooks they carry - it's folders with every single piece of paper they ever worked on, organized in binders, plus calculators, library books, PE uniforms. There's no safer school around - I have never even heard of a fistfight and we've been here since Kindergarten. They do not offer afterschool programs whatsover - but they think these are stay-at-home millionaire moms with nannies, so what's it to them??
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 27, 2010

I have had dealing with this school off and on for many years. The staff tend to lean toward self intitelment over protection and education of the children under thier care. The Special Education Program at this school is particullary poor for this district. There are great individual teachers. The choir program is absolutly wonderfull. It is particullarly concering that the principle has chosen to force these young children to sit outside unprotected in the mornings because she finds it inconvient to her self and her staff to allow them inside Her biulding. The out of pocket expenses required for completion of home work and participation in school activities is often very high. Many of the teachers assign far too much home work. My child does not complain about having to stay up untill up to 2 am to complete her home work, I do not think this is right.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 25, 2010

I love this school! The teachers rock and the principals are awesome. When I leave it will make me sad.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 24, 2010

i Am a 7th grade student here at Hcms, and love this school. it is really fun and hard at the same time.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 6, 2009

HCMS is an extremely challenging school. Our 7th daughter regularly has 2-3 hours of homework each night. Despite concerns about compeition in all areas, I am very impressed with the educational opportunities at HCMS.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 30, 2009

This school has great resources, and great support for its teachers. It is by far the best school and district I have worked for in the US. I consider myself very lucky to have a job here.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted March 31, 2008

HCMS has taught me many things on how to be successful throughout my life, not only do they teach, but they care. Hill Country also has an exelent Band Program.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 2, 2008

This school is great and the principal is terrific! I am thrilled that my two boys go to this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 22, 2006

The dedicated staff works hard to provide the extra attention my daughter needs to be succesful. They have been very caring.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 18, 2005

Hill Country was a positive experience for our 7th grade daughter. The academic expectations are high. The kids seemed a bit rowdy, but we didn't encounter any significant behavioral issues.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 10, 2005

HCMS has an outstanding teaching staff with loads of experience. It has high expectations of students and a fair amount of homework. I really like its athletic and fine arts program, particularly the football teams and the choir. There is lots for students to do.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 24, 2004

It is only our first week here, but so far everything has been great. The teachers are nice, clear, and polite to the kids. They are willing to answer questions. The teachers have all sorts of information about what they are doing in class on the web. All the teachers in all the classes are teaching the same thing at the same time so there is no angling to get certain teachers with less homework, or whatever. There are no lockers for the kids, so each student is issued a set of books for each class to keep at home, and then there are books for them to use in the class.
—Submitted by a parent


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 83% in 2011.

289 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
98%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 84% in 2011.

289 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
100%

2008

 
 
99%
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 81% in 2011.

303 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
98%

2008

 
 
99%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2011.

304 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%

2008

 
 
98%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 94% in 2011.

302 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
100%

2008

 
 
99%
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 73% in 2011.

291 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
98%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

297 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
100%
Science

The state average for Science was 79% in 2011.

296 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
91%

2008

 
 
91%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 95% in 2011.

291 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
98%
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 Students98%
Female99%
Male97%
Black or African Americann/a
Asian100%
Hispanic94%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White98%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education70%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant98%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students98%
Female99%
Male97%
Black or African Americann/a
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White97%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education82%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
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

Math

All Students98%
Female98%
Male97%
Black or African Americann/a
Asian100%
Hispanic89%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White98%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education95%
Not special education98%
Limited English proficient (LEP)71%
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant98%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students99%
Female99%
Male99%
Black or African Americann/a
Asian96%
Hispanic96%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White99%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education90%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)71%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students99%
Female100%
Male99%
Black or African Americann/a
Asian96%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education100%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
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 Students99%
Female99%
Male99%
Black or African American100%
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White99%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education70%
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English99%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students100%
Female99%
Male100%
Black or African American100%
Asian100%
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education94%
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students94%
Female93%
Male96%
Black or African American83%
Asian90%
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White96%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special education67%
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)80%
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students100%
Female99%
Male100%
Black or African American100%
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education93%
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English100%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
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 "Exemplary".
  • 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 85% 34%
Asian/Pacific Islander 7% 4%
Hispanic 7% 48%
Black 1% 14%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 8%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 13%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 3%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 3%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 0%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 26%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 16%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 28%N/A23%
21 or more years 31%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1300 Walsh Tarleton Rd
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 732-9220

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