Hillcrest Drive Elementary School

This school is a tragedy! LAUSD please charter it out! Please! Yes, there's a new principal there and although she may be a great person, she has no backbone and has already been caught up in the turmoil that's contributed to the school's sad state of affairs. I sincerely regret enrolling my child at this school - even for the year that she attended.
--Submitted by a parent

There is a new principal at Hillcrest. She is working hard to get this school to meet it's targets for academic achievement. The teachers are hardworking and care a great deal for the students' well being. Things at Hillcrest are looking up!
--Submitted by a teacher

I reluctantly admitted my 3rd grade daughter to Hillcrest, after West Angeles Christian Academy closed its doors. I was hoping that maybe she could survive there at least one school year, while I applied for a magnet school. She was VERY excited to start school, but on her first day when she returned home, her attitude towards school changed dramatically. When asked how her first day went, her response was, 'Mommy all the kids call each other the 'N-word' and they curse at each other and say other words we're not supposed to use.' Now I understand that the teachers cannot regulate everything, but that was just too much for me to bear. After that experience, along with a couple of others, I switched her to a charter school a week later. And I don't regret it!
--Submitted by a parent

Hillcrest is a great school. The 1st grade teachers work hard with the students and are clearly invested in their success. They care about their students' progress. Also, the Math, Literacy Coaches and school counselors seem to give 110%. The administration is friendly and approachable and have good control. The principal. MS. Smith is no-nonsense while still maintaining a good relationship with students and staff.

My daughter started at Hillcrest DR. 2 years ago. She is in the 3rd grade now. My son who is now in the 9th grade, attended Hillcrest DR from kindergarten to 5th grade. Both of my children were pleased to be at Hillcrest DR. I, as a parent am pleased to have my daughter attend the same school as her brother, once did. Mrs. Smith, the Principal, is doing a great job, along with her team members. It take team members working together, on the same page , make positive things happen. It's not always the area of the school, it is the teachers, who make a school worth attending. Not all teachers, I can say that for.
--Submitted by Judy, a parent

Hillcrest elementary is starting to pick up steam, the leadership is looking a little better now, the grounds are clean and in order, school security makes sure kids are where they susposed to be. The music magnet teacher is awesome, have recieved many recognition awards from the city. Parents need to be more involved with the school.Dicipline needs to be focused on more by the parent than the teachers, I saw that some of the teachers were wasting valuable classroom time on discipline than education. Overall my kids loved their teachers, and the school. Go Hillcrest Go. 10/30/2007
--Submitted by George B., a parent

I think this is a pretty good school especially compared to the reviews I have read about other local schools. maybe I have just been lucky that my kids have had extremely wonderful teachers, ms davis, ms soberal mr. bennett and ms martin. although I do agree with some of the parents that the higher authority is a little too strict, military almost. and my children have too often came home complaining to be hungry. I would tell them you need to eat all your lunch and had thought it was their fault but felt bad when I had the chance to actually see how a lunch gathering went the children literally sat down and had probably 2to3 minutes to eat, no one can eat enough in that little time. it was rediculous and upsetting to watch. some kids eat lunch at 1030am which is too early I hope this changes
--Submitted by a parent

I am disappointed with the leadership at this school. My child has attended this school for the past three years. I am removing my child from this school, because this school year the school has become a school where the children run the school and leadership and learning is missing. My child will not return to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school its great, the teachers are very caring and they work with the parents as well to make sure the kids understand the work, I think the music magnet is good , I'm moving and I hate that I have to take my son out.
--Submitted by Dana Johnson, a parent

I am a parant of two girls who have attended HDE since Fall 2003. My oldest daughter started kindergarten at this time, while my youngest daughter started pre-K. My daughters have also been enrolled in the afterschool program called LAsBEST at HDE since Fall 2003. The school is located in an area where there are many single parent households and a culture of gang, drugs, and violence. Once the children make it on the campus the principal and staff of HDE try their best to ensure safety of the children from the problems in the neigborhood. These problems include police activity which causes school lockdowns several times a school year. The school is a year round school which may create a small amount of disconnect for returning students and leaving students who may be on a two month vacation in the middle of the traditional school year. The school is improving.
--Submitted by Jason Harris, a parent