Hillcrest Launches New House System to Strengthen Community and Spirit

Hillcrest has launched a House System, a structure designed to deepen belonging, build leadership, and add joy to daily school life.

President Luke Fiskness described the new program, noting, “We launched the House System to carry forward Hillcrest’s 109-year legacy of Christ-centered education by strengthening belonging and connection across our student body. It will deepen community, foster mentorship, and give every student a place to thrive, lead, and belong.”

Every high school student is now part of one of four houses, each named after a Christian leader who shaped faith and culture: Thomas Aquinas, Fanny Crosby, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Louis Zamperini. Houses are intentionally balanced with siblings together in their house, dorm students spread evenly, and each student remaining in their house for their entire Hillcrest journey. Over time, this means younger siblings, cousins, and even future generations of Comets could carry on the same house legacy.

Faculty members serve as Heads of House, while students take on leadership roles as captains, lieutenants, and corporals. Together, they guide their peers in service, discipleship, and school spirit. Each house chooses its own crest, colors, chant, Scripture verse, and Christ-centered hymn or song.

The year began with a high-energy Kickoff Event, followed by the first challenge: the house with the fewest tardies through August will earn points on the scoreboard. Houses will also compete in events like House Olympics, Powder Puff football, boys’ volleyball, trivia, dress-up days, chapel participation, Scripture memory, GPA goals, and service projects on and off campus.

Teachers award points not only for performance but also for displays of character and service. Progress is tracked on a public leaderboard and a dedicated “House Wall” in the Student Union. At the end of the year, the winning house will lift the Comet Cup and celebrate together.

In the middle school, students in 6th through 7th grade, they participate in a preliminary house system titled the “green house.” It is an intentional discipleship program with the middle school students experiencing God’s creation, learning about God’s design and order, and building strong bonds that will launch into the upper school house system when they enter 9th grade.

Activities Director Zach Nersten said, “So far, it seems the students are thrilled. We had our kickoff event yesterday and now through the end of August the challenge is for least number of tardies to class. We will be displaying the current point total continuously throughout the year.”

At its heart, the House System is more than fun and competition. It’s grounded in Scripture, drawing inspiration from Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Hillcrest’s design in this new program is clear: create a community where every student belongs, every student participates, and every student learns what it means to serve others in the name of Christ. Practically, this is carried out in Hillcrest’s new house system in chants, friendly rivalries, and shared memories that remind students that faith and joy are not separate streams but instead unite in beauty under the banner of Christ at Hillcrest.