Hillcrest Middle School

Wonderful School. We have been having a great experience for the last three years. My son started here after leaving Twin Hills. It's a great academics, lower peer pressure atmosphere. Wonderful Music program an incredible electives. My son is flourishing. Linda LaMarre , David Fishera and the outstanding ENRICH staff are continuing to do a great job. Loved Keri Pugno too , who is now a great elementary teacher for our lucky kids!
--Submitted by a parent

Both of our kids are in the Enrich program and are blossoming. The program director, Keri Pugno, is also the school principal. One of the previous reviews complained of the school's decline and attributed it to her leadership. If anything, Keri is WHY our kids attend. She is first-to-arrive/last-to-leave, and always has made herself available when we've had questions or concerns. We see her at almost every performance or significant school event that is after hours. She is why this school is a diamond in the rough. Our daughter was part of the program when it was Reach, and we witnessed first hand the vindictive behavior of the parents that wanted complete control of the program just because they made donations. You can probably chalk any bad review of this school to one of those spoiled parents who left the program in a huff to make their own utopia. Any parent who can have their child attend this school and doesn't is making a giant mistake.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had our kid's in the REACH program for the last three years. The teachers are outstanding and really go above and beyond. Every year it get's better and better.
--Submitted by a parent

The creative arts magnet program they try and offer is a sad example of what can go wrong when the leadership is not good. I thought I was sending my child to the original REACH program then i found out is at Brook Haven, They are now a charter school and really have their act together. Parental involvement is wonderful, a real community. Their attention to all aspects of child development is what I was searching for.
--Submitted by a parent

Sadly, we can't rec.'d. this schl. Our children, attending since 2007. Decline in School overall since 08. Entirely, due to the leadership of Principal: Keri Pugno. Teacher's are talented. Admin. has limited their direction. Complaints & gossip are now common. Again, where's Keri? The Magnet program has been very expensive w/ slight diff. to what might be received from standard school's. School-wide, the children have little self-respect for each other. Name calling & worse abound. Keri is selective to inter-district trsfr's. Our good friends were declined so that her friends kid's could attend. Sp. Ed. is worst in Seb. Parents, be wise to look at Twin Hills!
--Submitted by a parent

I give this school three stars for the teachers. I think they are very dedicated and caring. However, our family left this magnet do to the money grab of the administration and district. Too bad. The teachers are good, but overshadowed by the lack of student concern in the hierarchy. If you are going to pay an extra few hundred dollars per month, you'd want to be assured that ALL of that money is going toward your child's education.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had our kid's in the REACH program for the last three years. The teachers are outstanding and really go above and beyond. Every year it get's better and better.
--Submitted by a parent

I was in the REACH program at Hillcrest and it was great! It was an environment that nurtured creativity and uniqueness. The academics were superb, and my class really grew together--there was no unfriendliness. I graduated this year and really appreciate what an excellent school Hillcrest was for me!
--Submitted by a student

My daughter had one of the absolute worst experiences at this school. The children were absolutely horrible to her. I never thought such a negative experience could have happened at a school with such great reviews. My daughter is very creative, so I thought that the magnet program would be wonderful. It turned out to be just the same as a regular program, except the teachers were always unavailable, and they werent teaching the correct curriculum ( I'm a middle school teacher myself). I would give this school zero stars if I could. I have since moved my daughter to Twin Hills (Along with many other Hillcrest students), and her experience has been far, far better. The teachers are great and listen to the parents feedback, the students are so nice and well behaved, and the campus is gorgeous.
--Submitted by a parent

I am surprised about the homework comment. My son only spends about 15 min. per night on homework. Some nights he doesn't have any homework. I personally think it's not enough. We love the creative arts magnet program. My son is happy and thriving there. In fact, he's brought home all straight A's this report card. His teacher's are amazing and care so much for their students. It's a creative and nurturing environment and all the parents I have spoken with say they are really pleased with the program this year.
--Submitted by a parent