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GreatSchools Rating

Hillside Academy for Excellence

Public | K-5 | 446 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

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

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted April 17, 2011

Good school. Last year there. Will miss it. The teachers are wonderful and caring. Staff is knowledgeable.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 16, 2008

My children attended Hillside and we had a great experience. There have been turnarounds in the math department, but it does seem to be stable now. Math is taught at an accelerated level at all of the academies. Several methods are used to teach concepts, so that every child has a chance to learn how they learn best. My child is now at Austin and doing very well in math, thanks to Hillside.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 23, 2007

We have been disappointed in many aspects of the GT program at this school. While the ELA seems to be higher academically than a regular elementary school, the math program falls very short. The GT kids are not being challenged to their fullest potential through innovative, critical thinking activities. Instead, many of the concept practices are standard 'old school' methods of teaching. There does not seem to be a push to use teaching methods conducive to the type of learning the kids today need to be mastering. We have witnessed a lack of flexibility and desire to try new ideas. There doesn't seem to be a willingness on the part of some of the staff (teaching and admin.) to work with parents to try to find the best learning experience for the children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 18, 2007

I am the mother of twins completing their kindergarten year in the gifted and talented program. I am so impressed with the warmth and knowledge they have absorbed during this school year. Teachers can define how children feel about school forever. Mrs Hickman and staff have done a remarkable job!
—Submitted by June Taylor, a parent


Posted March 28, 2007

Hillside is a great school, especially for gifted students. The regular students also benefit from the enriched curriculum and dedicated teachers. The students are involved in many creative projects and challenging assignments. All students have art, music, computer, and PE taught during the school day. Talented students can take enriched music and art. Fourth and Fifth graders can take Strings. They offer a variety of extended day classes two days a week including Piano. There is a very strong PTA and lots of parent involvement. My children have enjoyed friends from all races and cultures. There is a real feeling of family at this school. Last year, a student was killed by a car while riding his bike. The outpouring of support for this family was overwhelming. Our principal helped the Spanish speaking family with all of the forms and arrangements.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 10, 2006

Excellent education school.Magnet programs are good at teaching advanced programs. My nieces excelled at further grades because of the base learned here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 9, 2005

My child has been at Hillside for one year, and we could not be happier. The teachers are wonderful, and really challenge the children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 1, 2005

This is our first year at Hillside and our daughter is in the 1st grade. So far it has been a good experience and the TAG teachers are wonderful. Parents are very involved at this school, which is a good thing. There is a wide range of extracurricular activites for any child to be in.
—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 87% in 2011.

76 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
96%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

76 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
100%
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.

74 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
95%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

73 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
96%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2011.

74 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
95%

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 81% in 2011.

78 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
100%

2008

 
 
95%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.

78 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
98%

2008

 
 
99%
Science

The state average for Science was 87% in 2011.

77 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
94%
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 Students97%
Female96%
Male100%
Black or African American100%
Asian100%
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White94%
Economically disadvantaged95%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English96%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students97%
Female98%
Male97%
Black or African American100%
Asian100%
Hispanic97%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White94%
Economically disadvantaged95%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special educationn/a
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English96%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
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 Students97%
Female100%
Male96%
Black or African American86%
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged96%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special educationn/a
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English97%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students93%
Female93%
Male93%
Black or African American86%
Asian100%
Hispanic90%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged89%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education94%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
Gifted/talented98%

Writing

All Students95%
Female93%
Male96%
Black or African American93%
Asian100%
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White95%
Economically disadvantaged89%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special educationn/a
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English95%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant95%
Gifted/talented97%
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%
Female97%
Male100%
Black or African American90%
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special educationn/a
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students99%
Female97%
Male100%
Black or African American90%
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special educationn/a
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students99%
Female97%
Male100%
Black or African American90%
Asian100%
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special educationn/a
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English98%
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

  • 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 36% 34%
Hispanic 35% 48%
Black 20% 14%
Asian/Pacific Islander 9% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 7%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 68%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 18%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 33%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 14N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 14%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 25%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 11%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 27%N/A23%
21 or more years 24%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2014 Dairy Rd
Garland, TX 75041
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 926-2550

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