Hillcrest Elementary School

My daughter is just finishing Kindergarten at Hillcrest. I cannot express how lucky we feel that she was accepted to this fantastic school, with such wonderful teachers, students and parental involvement. What a wonderful diverse environment!
--Submitted by a parent

I think Hillcrest is a Wonderful school. I just graduated from 5th grade. I was in Ms. Brewer's class she is the best 5th grade teacher. I was a Saftey Patrol and I saw everyone in the morning. Every is well-behaved and all the teachers are great. You can ask any teacher for help. It is a wonderful school and i would recommend it to anyone i knew! A one word rating would be: Awesome!!!!!!!

My son finished Kinder in Hillcrest. One word: WOW Ms Amy Istler his teacher and Ms Zandy his french teacher made my son's first experience in school an "amazing" one! They truly care. I went to private schools and THIS particular school is WAY better. The Frenh, spanish and Vietnamese programs are excellent. I wish we didnt have to move. I know it will be hard to find another Hillcrest. The staff is wonderful and very helpful. I was conerned about the comments I had read, so I was very happy to realize that they were wrong. They could have more green areas for kids to play and run,but overall is GREAT
--Submitted by a parent

The school seems to accomadate the younger children such as preK thru 1 or 2 grade. The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes are not so good anymore. The fifth grade has only one class, meaning the 4th grade students in the neighborhood did not return because of ongoing administrative issues. Meaning the Principal is not doing her job, and she does not have a good reputation with the parents. She is known to be very rude and arrogant and does not seem to care about the kids at all. What a shame for such a fabulous school in the past, before current Principal. The school recently put in a portable building for the Vietnamese children, when the main building has empty upstairs classrooms. The school wastes money on crazy things like a unfinished garden, that has been underconstruction for about 3 years and the children have never gotten to use it. The area could have been used for PE or the money for a music program. But instead they have an unused garden area. And a past school PTA president raised money for a greenhouse and it was never built. (where did that $ go?).
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a great foundation and the administration and teachers are expanding on its legacy. How sad that a gem such as this is not always fully appreciated.
--Submitted by a teacher

Ever since the new principal of Hillcrest the school has gone down hill. My childs experience in the past 3 years has been a nightmare. Awful parent/teacher communication. The principal has bad social skills and does nothing about the incompitent teachers in the school. I am sorry to say I am glad my one child has graduated from Hillcrest and going on to another school. Now I have to worry about my other child that has 2 more years to go. If the same teachers are going to be teaching my other child I will definetely pull my child from the school. This is so sad, because the early years were good with the other principal, but this principal has no right working at a school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started KG this year at Hillcrest and I have fallen in love with this school. I am very pleased when my child comes home and has so much to tell me about what she has learned everyday. The principal has done an excellent job to the best of her capacity and cares about the school. The teachers are dedicated and there is tremendous parent involvement. As such, these are the qualities that make up an exceptional learning environment for children to learn. I look forward to the expansion of this wonderful school.
--Submitted by a parent

We love Hillcrest and feel our children are getting a great education. I attended private schools and was very nervous about sending my kids into the public school system until I heard about Hillcrest. I don't understand the comments about the principal. She has had a lot of obstacles from the school system and some parents, but overall my husband and I believe she is doing an outstanding job. I wish people would cooperate more instead of blaming an individual for the educational mess in the State School System. Do not just complain, bring a solution.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow - some tough reviews based on not liking a principal. I will agree that communications is sometimes an issue, but people, you don't know what a nightmare principal is! At least she cares about the school. Scrolling through the history of posts, I noticed similar posts about the last principal. The school offers far more then most elementary schools in OCPS unless it's doing worksheets all day. The teachers are very creative and want to be at the school. I'm very pleased with the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Rating Hillcrest is tricky. I'd give the school 4 or 4.5 out of 5 stars for the foreign language, but only 2 or 2.5 stars for the general curriculum and current admin, so I'll average them and give 3 stars. I agree with the previous poster that said the new principal is a nightmare. Why? Poor people skills, very controlling of teachers and staff - almost like she trusts no one, discourages parent involvement unless she chooses to 'showcase' something. (Her word, not mine.) As a former public school employee, I feel I am qualified to judge. She has never been a principal before Hillcrest though, so perhaps she'll improve over time. Because Hillcrest is the ONLY true foreign language option, my daughter will stay. Parents need to be aware that there are sacrifices made to get the foreign language, but the foreign language teachers are wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent