Hillside Elementary School

When I was little I attended the school and it was the best, I loved it there with Mrs. Lloyd.
--Submitted by a parent

I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS SCHOOL & THE 2nd GRADE TEACHER. SHE IS NO HELP TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER & ACTUALLY PICKS ON HER TO THE POINT THAT MY GRANDDAUGHTER NOW HATES SCHOOL!! I AM NEW TO PUBLIS SCHOOLS & CANNOT BELIEVE THE HOW COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IT IS FROM PRIVATE SCHOOL...THE COMPLETE LACK OF CARE & CONCERN FOR THE STUDENTS!! THIS SCHOOL IS A MISERABLE FAILURE AS FAR AS I CAN SEE!!! WE'RE LOOKING INTO CHANGING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!! IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE!!!

This school has made every effort to support my students in a positive, safe, learning enviroment!
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have gone to Hillside for the last 4 years. I volunteer at the school because I feel that it is important to be involved in my kids education. I have loved this school and every teacher but 1 has made every effort to work with my kids and other peoples kids. This school really cares about their kids. Our years of experience have been from 04-09 and we have not been disappointed.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is horrible! I mean granted there are a few great teachers in the school and they all go above and beyond to help the students because they know what their families do. The PTA for this school isn't organized and doesn't do much for the kids. They have more fundraisers than I know what to do with (being on a military base, there are only so many people you can sell too. When all the other kids on your street are selling the same thing, and even the other schools are, it is impossible to sell. They really need to think about doing fundraisers that can be done over the Internet so we can send the information to our families. Door-to-door selling isn't the way to go) The staff in the office is pretty nice but not very informative.
--Submitted by a parent

I am the grandmother of a kindergartener at Hillside Elementary. My granddaughter is really enjoying her first experience at Hillside. I know that she is doing good in school. When I talk with her weekly, she is always excited to tell me about what she is doing. If she is happy, I am happy.

so far one of the least organized schools for young children I have seen. The staff is friendly, but not informative at all. I am concerned, but open minded that it will improove.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is great!
--Submitted by a parent

My youngest son is at Hillside. Since coming from NY, he was depressed and did not want to go to school. Now he loves going to Hillside. His fourth grade teacher is wonderful and very caring. His reading teacher has helped him increase his reading level by three grades! When I go to Hillside, I always feel welcomed because everyone is so friendly and helpful. The principal is great and can help parents who speak only Spanish. There are 5 elementary schools on Ft. Lewis and I would say this is the best!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter did 3 years at Hillside. She started out at Hillside in the 1st grade and the teacher she had was terrible. Apparently the teacher celebrated her 50th++ year of teaching during the time my daughter was in her class and she desperately needed to retire. When my daughter went in to the 2nd grade she had a wonderful teacher and then I found out they moved her 1st grade teacher to kindergarten. When she went into 3rd grade her teacher was wonderful but by the end of the year she wasn't as good as I hoped she was. Most of the problem we had with the school was the faculty. Especially the office lady who also watched the kids at recess. The school practices a type of discipline called ''Steps'' which in the long run was a glorified time out. At the end of the kids last recess the teacher would go down the list of kids and ask everyone if anyone had a ''Points and Concern'' with the student she named off. So if anyone had a problem with the kid in question they would tattle on them even if it was minor. The teacher would give them a point which was bad. If a child gained a certain amount of points then the he/she would be sent to time out. Sometimes if the points got to high the parents were called in. Also my daughters last teacher thought she had ADHD. So I took her in to get tested and come to find out she didn't have it. My daughter is now in [another school] and she is so much happier then she ever was in Hillside. Boy I wish I had put her in [the other school] earlier. So be warned if you have to put your kid in Hillside. I would try not to and go to another school.
--Submitted by a parent