When children are truly known by their parents, their teachers, and their school, they don’t just learn more effectively. They live more faithfully.

For Coach Hannah Clark, win No. 100 arrives not as a single achievement but as a reflection of sustained culture. The numbers tell the story: disciplined defense, focused ball movement, unselfish offense, and players empowered to contribute in multiple ways. On a night that celebrated a milestone, the Comets delivered a performance that captured exactly why that milestone matters.

Each month at Hillcrest, students are invited into something deeper than a lesson or a theme. Through a unified and intentional virtue program, the Lower School is being shaped in how students think, respond, forgive, and love. This January, that focus is Grace: loving others despite their faults.

Walking through the fourth-grade display yesterday felt less like stepping into a classroom and more like entering another century. Towers rose from tables, stone walls wrapped around courtyards, banners marked kingdoms, and drawbridges hinted at danger just beyond the gates in their dioramas. Parents and members of the Hillcrest community gathered not simply to admire displays of medieval castles, but to witness learning that had taken root and shaped imagination and understanding, and strengthened character.

An article published last year in The Harvard Crimson came across my desk recently. It highlighted how Harvard had to introduce a remedial math course for their students.

The highlight of the night was the Pumpkin Carving Contest, where creativity reigned. From intricately carved faces to comical designs, students worked side-by-side, celebrating the simple joy of creating together.

For those gathered, it was more than an event, it was a reminder. A reminder that God’s work at Hillcrest spans decades and continues in the lives of staff young and old. As alumni, parents, and students left the Castle that evening, one truth was clear: Hillcrest’s legacy isn’t a building, it’s a people. Generations of believers, worshiping together, bearing witness to the same faithful God who continues to write new stories of grace in this sacred place.

President Luke Fiskness offered three principles that act like anchors to steady the classroom in Monday’s inservice. The first is to make room for rest; the pace of modern schooling can feel like a factory conveyor belt, but scholé insists on space to savor ideas. The second is to aim every lesson at what is truly worthwhile: the goodness of creation, the beauty of art, the truth of Scripture, and the wisdom of history. The third is to remember that people are not machines; we are created to worship and to wonder, not merely to produce. Those principles are simple enough to write on a sticky note and profound enough to change a culture.

The clubs meet for a 45 minute block once a week. They have the opportunity to change clubs at specific breaks in the year to explore more restful learning opportunities. Faculty and staff lead the clubs, connecting with students in a mentor relationship that moves discipleship beyond textbooks and home work assignments into a love of exploration and learning around interests the student holds.

The classical education model values exposure to the great books of Western civilization—not only so that students gain an affinity for them but also to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and maturity. Reading The Iliad, for instance, challenges students to grapple with themes like heroism and the consequences of pride. The Odyssey demonstrates the importance of perseverance, loyalty, and identity, while Herodotus invites reflections on human nature, cultural values, and divine providence. Tableau takes these vital lessons and moves them from head knowledge to heart conviction.

In a classical education, students progress from absorbing concrete truths (grammar), to grasping their deeper meanings (logic), to applying them in real life (rhetoric). Joy, commonly recogized as a “genius quality,” is especially vital for students to explore and develop. Joy fuels curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning—a spark that ignites both the imagination and the heart. This is one reason chapel matters so deeply at Hillcrest. It reinforces that real knowledge is never just intellectual—it’s transformational, guiding kids to integrate faith and wisdom.

Against the backdrop of proposed legislation in Minnesota that would permit abortion to the point of birth, the Comets for Life club gathered in St. Paul to join the March for Life.

Hillcrest Academy's fusion of classical education with focused mentorship and discipleship is a testament to the transformative power of employing a classical approach to learning in a disciplined discipleship environment. It's an approach to education that doesn't just impart knowledge but shapes character, sharpens intellect, and prepares students for the complexities of life. It is both timeless and timely, traditional and transformative, academic and life-affirming.

The smell of hot chocolate was wafting through the air as the girls settled in with hot chocolate cups premade in the cupholders of the van. The girls were on a family group excursion, where they would drive around town to look at Christmas lights, listen to music, and reminisce on the things they love about Christmas.

Jeremy’s message is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and gratitude in shaping the worldview of young students.

In an era where education is evolving rapidly, the timeless principles of classical education continue to prove their value. One such activity that seamlessly aligns with the classical education model is the game of chess. Chess isn't just a game; it's a character formation event that intertwines with classical education principles, providing students with a holistic and enriching experience.

The Bible Bowl is not just about answering questions correctly. It's about active participation, encouragement, and supporting fellow participants. Successful students display their knowledge and contribute to a positive and engaging atmosphere. They become leaders, helping others focus, encouraging teamwork, and showcasing the power of biblical wisdom.

Students and staff gathered in unity earlier this week, hands joined in prayer. The annual See You at the Pole event fell perfectly into the rhythm of homecoming, a time when so many alumni are returning to the Castle to remember what God did during their time at Hillcrest.

With the 4-2 loss the Comets honed resolve and fortitude to relentlessly work despite the score and time on the clock. It was an important game early in the season that is building character qualities Hillcrest takes to their next game.