High school is a pivotal time in kids' lives, marked by significant personal and academic growth. For many, athletics is integral to their high school growth, shaping character, discipline, and teamwork. At Hillcrest, athletics is an extension of the classical approach to education, a co-curricular opportunity where lessons in the classroom mirror those taught on the field, court, or track. These things rarely happen if adults aren’t actively involved and have a strong ethical framework to guide students. The importance of athletic programs having committed Christian mentors cannot be understated, as they instill values and set goals beyond sports.

The power of memorization has long been acknowledged as an essential tool for gaining knowledge. Classical Christian education highlights the many benefits of memorization. Classical education accelerates learning in grade and high school, and the memorization dynamic contributes to intellectual, spiritual, and character development.

Hillcrest is part of a disciple-making movement. This movement isn’t a cultural call, but something baked-in to the human experience. Humans are designed to walk through life in a way that draws them to a closer relationship and understanding of God.

Allowing Scripture to shape actions guides students not simply to understand lessons to pass a test but to build habits and rhythms that concepts learned in the classroom should have a rhetoric or communication element to bear their truth to the world.

The annual cross-country tour is a staple of the Hillcrest experience. Not even the Great Depression or gas rationing of World War II kept Hillcrest from conducting the annual music tour. These tours impact students, causing some to have a renewed sense of mission, while others simply see faith lived out in a real way.

A recent Hillcrest student from Bergen, Norway, sat down to share how Hillcrest has guided him to a life of faithful obedience to Christ. He spoke of the essential habits of Scripture reading and serving, habits he is continuing in Norway. He also shared how Hillcrest was used to equip him to lead others in the corporate worship of Jesus through music.

One of the major issues confronting young people today is resting in their identity in Christ. Though efforts are made to aid teenagers in developing a clearer image of who they are, new research indicates that one of the most effective methods to aid mental, spiritual, and emotional lives is to strengthen memory.

In the 1940 Hillcrest Yearbook, Beatrice Buness and Amy Rude wrote about the important traditions, especially banquets, at Hillcrest Academy.

A local business owner visited Hillcrest last week. What she said to President Hoganson reflects a need students have in building faith and what makes many students love building their faith at Hillcrest.