Hillcrest High School

Hillcrest really isn't a bad school. I graduated in '09 and was an honor student. The problem with the school is the students who care nothing about the school and the parents who back up their child when their child was clearly wrong. I have much respect for the teachers at Hillcrest, not only do they put up with the student who are extremely disrespectful but parents who are 10 times as worse. I had a good time going to Hillcrest. Hillcrest really is a good chance but it takes everyone to cooperate.
—Submitted by a student

This school is definitely going in the right direction. I recently attended report card pick up with my son who is a freshman and I am very impressed. He is off to a great start and his teachers really care and use a variety of instructional techniques and assessments.
—Submitted by a parent

The problem with Hillcrest is the students itself. Not all the students; just the ones who don't care about anything but being popular. They don't take the time out to study they believe it's great to get a D as long as it's passing. The teachers there are doing their jobs; but they need support from the kids not just the parents. The principal old and new did and is doing a very nice job. Some of the kids expect to be magically smart as they enter the school and don't take the time to learn. So I would like to clear something up about Hillcrest. Our scores are low, yes, but you need the students to raise those up. Not just honor students, all the students. So it's no one else's fault but the students.
—Submitted by a student

I am very disappointed in the school. The scores speak for themselves. The school has a new principal and hopefully this will renergize the students and the teachers. Unfortunately academics has been declining at the school and the students behavior has been horrible. The district has failed the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Hillcrest is what the student makes of it. I transferred my daughter in at the beginning of her Sophomore year from a Charter School in Chicago. She graduated in 2006 and received 2 full scholarships for two different Universities. She had some really great teachers and a very good counselor. I was very active with her education and I was always received well by the administrators and faculty. There are always adversities in any school system. But parent involvement makes the different.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Hillcrest, from 2000-2002. Freshmen year, I attended Homewood Christian Academy and the last two months of High School I completed at South Mountain High in Phoenix, Arizona. I must first openly admit that Hillcrest lacks diversity, the communities are comprised mostly of African-American families. Hillcrest would really benefit from an army ROTC program that would teach the children discipline and respect. This is something that I saw offer at South Mt. High in Phoenix, students were even offered an aviation program. In my opinion, sports should be second to education, but as a student-athlete I felt a lack of emphasize placed on education. Looking at the school now, from and outside perspective I see the school growing and flourishing, but the development started with the football field receiving lights and to me that seems in retrospective backwards working from the outside and then to the inside of the building...
—Submitted by a former student

I have a child attending Hillcrest. I also have a child who graduated from Hillcrest,he is now a Junior in College. The best thing about Hillcrest is definitely the extracurricular activities. Parents do participate and support their children and the school. Parental involvement may not be high but when a parent tries, it is discouraged. I also think it is time for a change in leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a great school especially when it comes to academic studies. There is many organizations and teams to choose from. The teachers are great when dealing one on one with a student they listen and try to help.
—Submitted by a former student

The academics are what is the worst about Hillcres next to the unstable safety. But when it comes to the extracurricular activities, students are involved. That is the most positive thing about hillcrest. Parents rarely get involved
—Submitted by a student

I am also a former student of Hillcrest High School. I graduated in 2002. I was in the 'guinea pig' class. That's what a few of the student called our curriculum because they were implementing new courses on only us every year. So every year we had courses no one had ever taken before. I think we had the record for fewest graduates also. Anyway, what people are blind to is that Country Club Hills isn't Pleasantville anymore and it hasn't been for a while. These students are emerging from all kinds of turmoil everyday just to walk through those doors. My experiences with the counselor's weren't good. In those years it was college, if not that you're a loser. We don't have money for college on hand like that. I think whoever is in charge needs to stepback and observe their enviroment and then cater to the stuudents, not vice versa.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a graduate of Hillcrest, class of 97'. I think the principal should be changed. From the south suburbs if you look at the students and areas they come from are bad areas. Many of them undeveloped communities. My class and many of my peers went to very good colleges and graduated on TIME. I can give a run down on many great college my peers went to aswell as others. The teachers care alot for the students at Hillcrest not all the advisors are very encouraging but what advisors are. I went to H-F before Hillcrest, and that school belittle me so much I found my way out of their.Until the parents help out more like other schools people will see a change. This go's back to the Jr. high schools aswell. So with this I say get off your behind and do something.
—Submitted by Robert Sammons, a former student

Hillcrest High School is not the best high School, nor is the worst in the South Suburbs. They have some really outstanding teachers & students, but all you ever hear about is the negative stuff. Of course we all know that they have an excellent sports program, but what you won't hear about is the excellent Math, English & Science Departments they have. I do agree however, with another parent who provided feedback on the school that the Principal should be replaced.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this is school should be closed! It is a waste of my tax money! They have approximately 5% kids that come out with and average education. They then have to struggle if and when they go to College to reach their peers. A supportive parent, with no support from Hillcrest High School.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst high school in the entire south suburban district. The principle of the school should be replaced immediately. Low student performance in basic math & reading. The teachers and staff of the school tolerated to much bad behavior from students.
—Submitted by W Patterson, a parent