Hillside Student Community School

Flashback to 1989: I had just learned my parents had enrolled me at Hillside and I was furious. How dare they enroll me in private schooling instead of buying me a car?!
Needless to say, looking back, I’m glad of their decision. I hadn’t been the most social kid in middle school and Hillside provided the perfect mix of supportive community, yet challenging academic environment, to enable me to succeed.
If you’re not familiar with Hillside, take a tour. They have one of the best college-​prep, personality-​development and real-​world training programs in the area.

I can’t say enough about what Hillside has done for my son academically, creatively, emotionally, and socially. He is currently attending his 6^th year, and I’ve watched him bloom from a fairly average student, to one enthusiastic to return to school each day. He’s challenged, stimulated, and engaged. The level of cooperation between staff members is remarkable, and the genuine care for each and every student is obvious. The setting is divine.
I have a unique perspective as both a parent, and staff member. I fell in love with Hillside before I even had children, and aspired to send them here. The consistent quality of the education offered at Hillside is why both my children will have attended: whether or not I continue my (part-​time) professional association (I am the Drama assistant and In-​House Designer: can’t say enough about the stellar quality of the drama program. nor the liberal arts, and maths programs)

Switched my daughter here after one very painful year in public middle school. We evaluated a number of private schools, and wanted a collaborative, respectful learning environment with attention to creativity and individuality. We found it at Hillside and more. Class sizes are small, with a lot of opportunity for individual instruction, the staff and teachers really care about the students, instruction is collaborative instead of competitive, fundamental standards for writing, reading and math are high, they maintain a strong sense of their own culture (NO cliques, respect for others) and she has bloomed as a person and a student. They do not have brand new facilities, or the latest technologies, but they make up for that in many creative ways. For instance, when she was working ahead of her class in math, the instructor had her work through an online program, providing help as needed. She struggled a bit the first year academically to catch up and meet their standards, but is now a straight A student who does not need to be told to do her homework, happily heads off to school every day, and has a level of confidence and self-​worth that is surprising in a young woman today. I would recommend Hillside to anyone.

I am a happy Hillside Student Community graduate who just recently graduated from Seattle University with the highest GPA in his graduating class. Hillside’s very personal teaching style was able to give me the individual attention I needed to prepare me for success at institutions of higher learning, and it’s non-​clicky social environment helped me to have understanding and respect for all kinds of people, as well as developing my own personality and self in a non-​oppressive, non-​restrictive environment. Years later I am still grateful for my decision to attend Hillside Student Community.