Hillside Elementary School

Hillside is an exceptional school! I was initially intimidated by its size, but all of my fears proved unfounded once we started. We are a close knit community. The staff has recently welcomed fresh faces with amazing energy. In both 2012 and 2013 Hillside teachers were awarded the "Elementary Teacher of the Year" and "Heart and Soul" awards for the district, proving that we have the best staff in the district! Our children continually test in top percentages and perform above grade level. After 3 years here, I'm sad that our time is nearly over.
—Submitted by a parent

Hillside has dropped from being the newest and best school in the Farmington system to one of the worse. The school worked fine when the pupil population came from a comfortably middle class clientel; however, that has changed. The teachers come largely from diploma mill "colleges" and don't have the skill set to deal with inidividualization of the curriculum. I am unimpressed with Hillside School. It's terrible performance has ruined the property value of the neighborhood. It is no longer a school to which it is safe to send your children. As a neighbor of the school and a parent with children that have attended Hillside and the grandparent of a child eligible to attend Hillside, I am sadly disappointed by the incompetence of this school. My grandchildren will attend other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

It seems that all the good rating here were from 2010 and before. It's now 2012. The school has changed a lot during the past couple of years with the new principle in charging of the school. If you know how many students are leaving the school each year and how hard parents are trying to seek for alternative schools for their children, you will know how bad this school is now. My kid's experience at this school is disaterous.
—Submitted by a parent

They have excellent teachers, my daughter was two years at Hillside, and she made a great progress both in math and in reading and in writing. Based on our experience with the Hillside, I think the opinion that children don't learn much when attending public schools (at least elementary ones) is far from being true. The school office staff is also good, they are professionals of their job. But the school must do a lot in improving the discharge discipline. It is unacceptable that children, exiting the school door, run disorganized in all directions. They should rater exit in lines and stay within the lines waiting for their parents.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers really bend over backward and go the distance to make sure the students learn.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent who is also a teacher in the district, I am very happy to have my children attend Hillside. As you read these reviews, remember that no school is perfect and one complaint is usually louder than all of the acclaims. My child feels safe, cared for, and respected... way to go Hillside staff!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have been at Hillside for three years. We were very satisfied with the school at first but are slightly disappointed in the way the school handles bullying and problem children. They like to sweep problems under the rug but please just remember to always advocate for your child! Nice caring children should have the right to a safe educational environment!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to this school for 4 years. The teachers are great. They follow the public school curriculum just like any other public school in FH. This is a big school and adds a lot of variety in education. The school bus service saves us on our gas bills.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers here are really terrific. They are committed to providing the best for each child and work in grade level teams to support each other. Discipline and leadership can be a problem. The teachers do what they can in the classrooms with difficult children, but there is not a lot of support or follow-through from the administration. Many students don't even recognize the principal because she does not make herself visible and involved.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is exceptional in its commitment to educating young children! The children are treated as individuals and the staff is the very best and they all have each students best interest at heart.