Hill Elementary School

I am so happy that my two girls are at Hill. My oldest daughter has had some issues adjusting in general, and I have had nothing but positive interactions with the teachers and the school leadership as we work together to sort it out. Thanks to their caring guidance, she is happy, settled, and growing more confident by the day. I can't say enough good things about this school.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter has had a rough start this year. She started kindergarten this year and we found out she is ADD/ADHD. Her teacher has been on top of this problem and has been great with her. She, I know, is a handful but her teacher has been able to work with her and I think she may make it after all. Thanks for all your patience, Mrs. Loskorn.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal Mr. Day is AMAZING!!!! He not only knows pretty much every single kid by name, but he makes a point to talk to all of them everyday. I give him and the school 5 stars!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend Hill, and I have been pleasantly surprised with this school. As a parent who was heavily weighing homeschooling or charter school (can't afford private), I am very happy I chose this public school. The teacher's have ALWAYS been more than willing to listen to parents and help the student. The principals have exceeded my expectations with their leadership and dedication. And my children are progressing academically.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has gone to hill since 2nd grade and we are moving out of state now before she starts 4th. The teachers have been great, and more the administration has been absolutely fantastic. My daughter is definitely a social butterfly and has seemed to get to everyone's hearts while being there. She has had better grades and been happier here than any other school. I love this school and hate to leave before she finishes her elementary years, but just wanted to say - good job 2nd and 3rd grade team and office staff. We will truly miss you
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 3 children go to school at Hill and for the most part was very happy with the teachers, principal & discipline. Since the new principal alot of things have changed drasticaly. The teachers are more intense, not as much friendliness. There is alot of tension between students and teachers where in the past there used to be kindness and patience. The acedemic level has gone down alot. I have compared papers from my two oldest to the ones that my youngest gets now, there is a temendous difference. Not as much writing as there used to be. No projects like there used to be. I don't know if it is because of the demographics have changed or economics...but it's not like it used to be and it saddens our family alot. My older kids notice it when they visit.
—Submitted by a parent

Hill elementary is a GREAT school! The teachers are welcoming and you can fit in, if you're a transfer or not!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great and has strong parent involvement. The teachers are excellent and dedicated.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Kindergarten at Hill this year. We moved 2 months before school was out to Mansfield. I was extremely pleased with Hill. As a mom with a Kindergartener going to public school for the first time, I was very nervous and very skeptical. I couldn't have been more pleased! Her teacher (Ms. Evans) was incredible!!! My daughter learned so much in such a short amount of time. She handled those kids so well, she was tough but also tender hearted. She was excellent at teaching each child at their own individual level. She really cares about those kids. Parent involvement was incredible. School spirit was exceptional. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking to move to Arlington or transfer. By the way, we were a transfer student and we were never treated any differently from those who weren't. Go Highlanders!!! We miss you!
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to respond to the comments from different parents stating they were outsiders or outcast because they are transfer students. My daughter is a transfer student, and we have never felt excluded. We even moved here from another city and knew no one. I do agree that the TAKS test are out of control. Too bad our state feels one test is more important than the overall education of our children. And, too bad our teachers have to endure it also. As for Hill we have been very pleased. Great teachers, involved parents, and great kids. Yes, it has it's problems, but don't they all.... even the private
—Submitted by a parent

My son will be a 5th grader at Hill next year. He has been there since 2nd grade. It may just be the way things are now a days, but it seems they work toward the TAKS test a bit too much. I am sure it's that way at every school. His every day course work is a bit repetitive. He came from a small private school where advancing your knowledge was stressed more. Seems at Hill they grind the same things into you to be ready for the TAKS. All in all a good school. It seems easier if the kids go to school with the children in their own neighborhood. Bit of the outcast treatment.
—Submitted by a parent

As a grandparent of a transfer student I had to reply to the negative message I read regarding transfer students. There has been no distinction made because of the transfer. The teachers and the office staff have all been wonderful. My grandson prefers it to the private school he attended at one point. I give Hill top marks for the education he is receiving as well as the after school science class he is in.
—Submitted by Jean, a parent

My son had a fabulous experience at Hill. The teachers and the administration are caring, loving, dedicated and hard working people. I, also, camped out for an entire weekend to get my children into Hill, and have transferred them every year. I never felt like a guest there -- I always felt at home. The teachers and administrators rely on the parents of transfer students -- our children are there because we worked hard to get them there. My children have received an excellent education from the teachers at Hill, both academically and emotionally.
—Submitted by a parent

my son has only attended pre-k at Fielder Road Baptist ECC for one semester, but already I am very impressed by what he's learned and the security he feels in his classroom. He participates in music, spanish,p.e.,computers,and his favorite is science. I love that they keep the parents well informed and active in the children's education.I'm looking forward to another semester.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. Kids were previously at a private school but Hill is much better.
—Submitted by a parent

This was a great school, My children really enjoyed it. We were transfer students from another school in the district and found it a huge improvement
—Submitted by chan, a parent

Son will be in 5th in fall of '04. Began in kindergarten. I camped out for an entire weekend in order to get him into what I was told was the district's 'best.' Have mixed feelings about this today, but husband feels it too late to change to the (lousy) neighborhood school or a private one. He is a professor in the humanities, I am a former newspaper writer. We have always felt like guests in the school because of our status as 'transfers;' the vice principal, the only male member of the faculty, has as much as invited us to leave. The school suffers from the pressure to live up to historically high test scores; advised too late to run, not walk, from such a place. Overriding sense of smug, self-righteous satisfaction. White, rich, conservative.
—Submitted by Toni Vitanza, a parent

I had 4 children attend Hill Elementary and was pleased with the welcoming atmosphere. The teachers over the years were responsive to parents and good with the kids. I saw three different principals in those years and felt each gave a lot to the team atmosphere at Hill. All of my kids were tested at well above average through all of those years of schooling. They received an excellent start at Hill, in knowledge and in respect. They each played musical instruments and participated in many extra projects that developed their social and mental talents. Each of my children still keep up with their elementary favorite teachers; as if they were members of our family, even though two of them have since graduated from college. I highly recommend this school because of the community atmosphere, the eager involvement of parents and the kind and excellent teaching staff.
—Submitted by Carol Lieser, a parent

This school is one of the best. I have looked at many schools in the surrounding districts and have not found one that is as good. The teachers are caring, knowlegable and don't yell at the kids as much to discipline, they don't have to. The principle knows what she is doing and is very aproachable. Unlike Mansfield District, Arlington is flexible to the needs to the parents and students. Kids are treated with much more respect and care not like a concentration camp.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is now a senior at Arlington High. Hill was a secure and nuturing place to begin. She knew all the teachers and they knew her. Hill is a great Elementary!
—Submitted by a parent