Hillcrest Elementary School

We have been very pleased. This is a good as its gets in a public school. It comes with a price - a high degree of parental involvement is expected, both time and money. The teachers are top notch and the principal is very dedicated.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers and principal, and lots of support from the parents.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been happy at this school for all of my life. I noticed that from each teacher I've had, i know there has been an extremely significant lesson that I learned for both my future as a student, and a citizen. I am now in the 7th grade at Hillcrest, and couldn't love it and my teachers more. Mrs. Massey gives excellent advice for sticky situations and knows how to make things stick in your head so you can remember things like formulas for math or definitions for almost incomprehensible words. Mr. Kloess has not been in the middle school program as long as Mrs.Massey, but i respect him just as much. He teaches us great writing and life skills, keeps us in order, and allows us to have many class disscussions where most everyone participates. With each teacher, I learn a bunch and have fun!
--Submitted by a student

i am a student at hillcrest. i love it. my brother loves it. my parents love it. this is a great school! it is fun, all parents are involved and loving it. all students go off to good high school after their time at hillcrest. the school is local for my family and is not an unsafe school. hey, guess what privet schools!?!? hillcrest has great test scores! hillcrest is a fantastic school but don't even bother trying to get in!
--Submitted by a student

I am a parent at the school and think it is terrific for my kids. I must disagree with the commenter who criticizes the lack of afterschool programs and the administrator. We have a great principal who works tirelessly. Also, the reason that afterschool programs are limited is that there is very limited space. The principal is correct not to kick teachers out of their classrooms for after school programs because they need what limited prep time they get from OUSD. The science scores have been excellent over the past few years and the curriculum is expanding. The parent's review from December 2007 is based on old or incomplete information. The drawbacks of this school are that it is small. The middle school is good but some kids will need more extra curricular and sports options.
--Submitted by a parent

Hillcrest purely pwns! I am an 8th grader at hillcrest and I have loved every year of my life there! Go hillcrest Middle school 2007-2008!
--Submitted by a student

I am a mother of a 2nd grader at Hillcrest. She has been there since kindergarden. Hillcrest receives the highest test scores in the district. Their academic programs are great because of the huge amount of parent involvement as well as the genuine care and support our children receive from their teachers. We have limited space, so entry to the school is not guaranteed. Lack of space does impact the availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities. However, these activities are offered. Overall, Hillcrest is a school where my daughter thrives and is happy. I particularly enjoy the focus on 'Life Skills' throughout the entire school.
--Submitted by Heidi Marchesotti, a parent

Hillcrest is a wonderful neighborhood school with talented teachers, great leadership and dedicated community of parents. My two daughters (now in fourth and seventh) have attended since kindergarten and they are getting great education. They are happy too!
--Submitted by Jacqueline Frost, a parent

Fantastic school, probably best in OUSD. My children have thrived there. Only downside is that it is very small. Some kids require a larger pond.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. The principal, Beverly Rothenberg, is energetic and committed to the school.
--Submitted by a parent