Hillcrest Academy

I am a student a Hillcrest academy currently in 8^th grade and I have been there since kindergarten. All the teachers are amazing and the much attendants are phenomenal. I love this school.

As a parent of a child at Hillcrest Academy, I have been, and still am, a huge fan of the school. I know a lot of changes are happening right now and fear of the unknown can be a scary thing, but I believe in my heart that the changes will lead to positive things for the future of this school. We can either abandon ship or see it through. As for me and my family, we are choosing to see it through because we believe in this school and what it can become. This school is full of some extremely passionate and gifted teachers and to see them want to call Hillcrest their home says something to me. I know this school will continue with their IB MYP program and this school will become a fully accredited MYP International Baccalaureate School this Fall as those involved have already prepared for the scheduled Fall visit.

We cannot stay where we have no trust in the Board of Trustees who suddenly run the school. They deny that they want to run the school, but have now thrust themselves into that position with no visible reluctance.
The self-​appointing and self-​assessing Board has made major changes in the organizational structure that meant the Head of School and the Assistant Head of School had to be fired. A tremendous loss.
Parents’ questions and vigorous objections fell on deaf ears since the by-​laws give parents no power to hold the Board accountable.
In this new model, the Board oversees both the newly board-​appointed Executive Director and a Head of Academics. The ED has no educational background and the Head of Academics will be brand new to the school after teaching overseas for the last few years. Despite the Board’s words, they do in fact run the school.
Some very good teachers are actively interviewing and have openly told us that they will take any offer elsewhere at a moment’s notice.
The Board wouldn’t give any meaningful answers as to why the change was necessary or how it would improve the school. Their evasive behavior means to us that there is something going on that they don’t want to tell. We sense money trouble, but the Board says details about the non-​profit school’s finances are «confidential» so who knows.
As an aside, you may read that Hillcrest is part of the International Baccalaureate Program. Not yet. Hillcrest is a «candidate» for the IB program. Their candidacy will be examined this Fall. Some good teachers have been working hard preparing for the IB program to begin. However, the two key drivers for the IB candidacy over the last three years have been fired. We’re not sure what that means for IB program.
There is so much uncertainty over so many aspects of a once wonderful school.

Our daughter is now finishing 3^rd grade at Hillcrest and we remain big fans of the school. Her academic and leadership growth and confidence are wonderful to see, and I directly attribute these to this school. We are excited about new additions to the school including a competitive academics program which includes speech and debate (which currently is a very strong program at the school beginning in middle school) and also spelling bee, science fair, and other enrichment programs. Still a definite, solid recommendation.

We are beginning our third year at Hillcrest. It’s been a wonderful experience for our son. He is receiving a world-​class education from a knowledgeable, caring and dedicated faculty. We didn’t initially plan to enroll our son in private school. However, on the first day of 1^st grade at a local Charter school, he was placed in a K-​1 combo class with 60 kids and two teachers in one giant classroom. Needless to say, we weren’t happy with that arrangement. Luckily we were able to secure a space for our son and he began attending Hillcrest a few days later. We are so grateful that we found this wonderful school. We definitely recommend Hillcrest to anyone looking for a quality education for their child.

We LOVE this school-​our daughter is entering her 2^nd year at Hillcrest Academy, & will currently be a 1^st Grader this Fall. We knew that we wanted a private school for our child, & our criteria included non-​profit, non-​religious (even though we are religious people ourselves), small classroom size, personalized teaching, advance studies, and arts & foreign language was a must. We found all of these things & more at Hillcrest. They have an amazing staff-​excellent communication with great teachers, personalized learning for each student in each study; & what school has the Head of School out every day greeting in car line?! All of the administration & office staff know every student by name; and the teachers take time to assess each child regularly & help them to achieve their best. Parents are welcomed & highly encouraged to become involved. Children receive multiple classroom studies (advanced by a grade from the state standards), art, music, PE, foreign language & library/​research from Kinder on — & all are fabulous. Field trips & extra cirriculars, as well. Before/​After school care is great (& cheap!). Healthy hot lunches. IB Candidates for MS program. Best school in Temecula!

I researched every single school in the Valley, and Hillcrest is the only one that has everything we were looking for: advanced academics; small school community where parents are welcomed to participate in the life of the school; character education (but not religious-​based); leadership program that promotes self-​confidence, responsibility, and team-​building; daily foreign language; educational field trips; fine arts program… Hillcrest is an amazing school that encourages students to love learning. I have three kids here who are all thriving and really enjoying school.

Best school in the area. Curriculum is tough, expectation are high, but in the process the kids learn to love learning. Non-​profit school, low overhead, non-​bureaucratic, so tuition goes directly to education. Most kids go on to do very well in High School, College and life. Alumni credit their success to the strong foundation Hillcrest gave them.

Our son has attended Hillcrest Academy since 1^st grade and is now in 7^th grade. I am constantly amazed at the level of the education and the level of the staff’s dedication. I know that having our son there has been an investment that will pay dividends for the rest of his life. Thank you Hillcrest Academy!