Hillside Student Community School

One of the most impressive thing about Hillside is the faculty's level of passion and commitment; students grow in a community of teachers who can ignite their interests and learning. Even the teachers who've been there quite a long time aren't 'burnt out' but seem to have grown into their calling, caring deeply for individual students and the community as a whole. The visual arts and drama programs are especially remarkable, and were very important for my son--but all the faculty are excited about their subjects, and show a mutual support of each other that I've rarely seen in another school.

As a former student of hillside I can whole heartedly say that it was a very nurturing and accepting atmosphere. I was encouraged to use my strengths and improve my weaknesses.

I'm a 2020 graduate and went to hillside from 5th grade till my senior year of high school. This school has 100% prepared me for college as a college prep schools, and some of the classes have a work load comparable to college courses. This might sound scary at first, especially for a prospective student, but it really makes the transition into college that much easier. I would compare them to AP classes at a public high school.

However, I would say the biggest selling point of the school is the faculty. They truly care about the student's well being and progression in education and are accommodating as well. Almost every teacher here is excellent, and throughout your time here you will build a great relationship with each one of them. They also higher teachers based on student feedback, and are more than willing to hire a bachelors over a masters if they feel the teacher is a better fit.

A criticism I see here is that the school is art oriented and has a politically liberal bias. I would say, yes for the most part these aspects are true. However, the school does offer advanced math courses all the way up to calculus. While the school may be lacking with science classes, this is easily made up for by the fact every student does the running start program senior year and supplements these science course for ones at Bellevue College. I'm an engineering major, and going to a more art focused school did not hinder my acceptances to STEM schools. As for having a liberal bias it is center left overall, and as a student you are more than welcome to express your ideology during class. Of course extremism is another issue, but if you are moderately conservative I don't think many people will care.

Hillside is the sort of unique community one must participate in, in order to fully absorb the gravity of. Affording kids the opportunity to both be kids as long as possible, and to write college-level material at early ages, there is no place more suited to the child who belongs there. Those that love it cherish it, and those that don't, likely misunderstand it. Small class sizes allow a more intimate discussion setting, where a child may truly thrive if they choose to do so. Largely run by the Sherrard family, in legacy of one of the best, most gentle women I have ever known, Edith; Hillside truly lives up to its proclamation of being a Student Community.

i am in 6th grade at hillside, and i absulutley LOVE it!!! i am coming back for my 7th grade year. i started late in the year because i was at a public school and it was not at all working for me. i leave my BEST regards to the loving caring teachers that have brought so much joy into my life. all the teachers are special and wonderful. i just love this school.