Hillside Elementary School

My experience has been totally different from the two previous reviewers. I have had two children go through Hillside and I thought the faculty did a very good job of educating them. Does that mean that every teacher was the best ever? No, but some of them were exceptional and all of them were good. As far as communication goes, what the last reviewer describes as "time to kiss up" I would call taking an active roll in you child's education. Forging relationships with the teachers and administrators, when you have an issue there is someone you can turn to who knows you. I really think it the entire small town suburban experience comes down to what you put into it. If you donate your time and energy into making the town, school, league, organization, etc., better you have more of a vested interest in seeing it do well. That sounds preachy but it's the truth. The bottom line is the schools are very good and they could always be better. But the real question is are you going to help make them better?
--Submitted by a parent

Be extremely careful of moving to Hastings-on-Hudson for the schools (Hillside, FMS, & HHS). It's a one horse town and small mindedness among admins, teachers, parents rules. It's a conventional, traditional, boring education. Turn-over in administrators is alarming! Hillside has had 4 principals in 6 years and 3 asst. principals. Two yrs ago, there were 28 full time Special Ed staff ($2.5 plus million spent on salaries ea yr). I never met one that understood Aspergers, Autism, or non-verbal ld or ed in general! Communication (unless you have time to kiss up) is non existent. Only ONE p/t conference per yr & email (Admin doesn't address what they don't want to address via email). My children high honor roll so I don't hear from the school (not good!). Only parents of "behavior problem" children hear from teachers. Makes the parents/kids feel like dirt (not helpful calls), hopeless. Hardly any field trips. Six full time art staff & no visual art comes home unless you are a favorite (my artist kid was not teachers pet so I got no work sent home). Art teacher in high sch (meanie) threw it ALL away. Poor communication, over spending, hostile towards parents...true of all three schools.
--Submitted by a parent

Before enrolling please visit the school and ask questions. The principal of Hillside had no former administration experience. She is unable to answer any questions without consulting others first. She honestly has no idea what she is doing. I would strongly suggest private school in this district until 5th grade or at least until the current principal leaves. There is a lack of teacher quality. The teachers definately have favorites. Other reviwers mention blue ribbon award. When was the last year the district won a Blue Ribbon Award? Hastings High School in 2001. It is now 2012.
--Submitted by a parent

Hillside is a terrific school filled with a staff that truly cares. Our systems' blue ribbon ratings are well deserved. A great place to grow and learn. Some parents succumb to the temptation to be aggressive with the staff insisting that any average achievement is the staff's' failure. The village has many after school activities not connected to the school. The tea party wants staff cuts to lower taxes. Last budget they were outvoted 2.5 to 1. - that;s a new tension.
--Submitted by a parent

Hillside is wonderful! The staff balances social/emotional learning with academics. The teachers and principal are responsive. We have two very different children and they were both well-served at Hillside. We are happy we moved here from Brooklyn.
--Submitted by a parent

In response to the post 11/2/10, the test scores for all the Rivertowns schools fell this year due to an increase in standards. In fact, according to the Enterprise, the local paper for the area, Hastings students scored dropped less than Ardsley's, Dobbs Ferry's or Irvington's. Every year, according to Westchester magazine Hastings students score higher on their SATs than all other river towns. I could care less about scores but if you do there you go.......
--Submitted by a parent

Click on the test scores and stats tab above. On the NY state standardized tests the school fell 20% from 2009 to 2010 in just about every area - I think one area decreased around 10%. That is pretty pathetic, and I think scores in Farragut Middle School in Hastings fell about the same. Pretty pathetic.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the commentor of 10/28/09. The principal of Hillside had no former administration experience. She was the AP for two years and groomed for her present positon. The assistant principal has no administration experience. Oh he went to the Hillside big deal. But they are young and under 40 so that is what the community wants. There are no programs for gifted children. If a child does not have an IEP it is very difficult to get services. I know parents who had to get OT services on the outside. Disgraceful. Some teachers are horrible because nepotism is big here. The afterschool program presently had to close some classes because of lack of enrollment. They offer uninterestings topics There are no clubs or band like neighboring school districts like Dobbs Ferry. Our son and daugher don't like the school. Considering moving also.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to disagree with the previous commenter (10/28/09). All schools, especially public ones, have some weaker staff but the great majority of teaching at Hillside is impressive. There are collaborative classes in each grade for mainstream kids who need some support (literacy, OT, PT, etc,), as well as dedicated staff and classrooms for very high-need children that are served in-district. I've been to many PTSA liaison meetings with our new but excellent administration. They are first rate brought up to their positions from within the system and show a balanced focus on academic achievement complemented by social/emotional growth. We pay a small fee for afterschool, but in this economic climate there is no way our small district could provide that service for free. This is a great elementary school with caring teachers, supportive parents and really lovely kids. It has given my family 6 very happy school years and
--Submitted by a parent

Hillside is very overrated. They have two administrators that have no idea what they are doing. The district is very backwards. The services are special ed students are non existent. They offer no after school activites unless the parents want to pay extra. The best teacher was in K and it has been downhill ever since. I find that the teachers think they have tenure and are a teflon pan. We are definetly considering moving out of the district. Move to the surrounding areas you will get better treatment.
--Submitted by a parent