Students are surrounded by a chaotic and difficult world where feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression are prevalent. Students spend most of their developing years at school, which has the opportunity to guide students in understanding the world's chaos, both internally and externally.

At Hillcrest, we’ve seen how Classical Christian education and purposed mentorship presents an incomparable way of approaching the quest for joy that overcomes the fleeting nature of circumstantial happiness. Students study sacred writings and eternal wisdom with adult mentors who ask challenging questions and drive important conversations about life. This education strengthens the entire individual and provides a stable and undying pleasure in the Lord.

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.

Students follow the leadership of teachers in a similar way to Berge Revne. Replacing the voice of E.M. Broen is the voice of Gregg Preston and Gaylen Peterson, Karina Larson, and Augusta Ewan. The Lord is using the lessons and hearts they’ve passed to students throughout the year to inspire a group of seniors to join Jesus on His mission in Albania and encourage the Albanian church.

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.

One night after the Comets gave 2A Pelican Rapids a scare they pulled out a double-digit win at home against NCE-UH. In the game against Pelican, Elsa Retzlaff pulled the Comets within one score, sinking two of her four threes in the final minute. But after Pelican drained a few free throws, and a desperation shot from Hillcrest, the Comets returned home to a game against NCE-UH to close out conference play in 2022.

Pax Venit. Peace has come. This theme drove hundreds to attend the annual Hillcrest Christmas Concert. The tradition carries more than nostalgia for Christmas concerts as the year winds down.

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

“We moved the ball well on offense which led to good, quality shots,” Head Coach Hannah Clark noted. “I thought Ruby Peterson did a nice job directing our team.  She is the engine on our team and the rest of our girls really follow her direction and energy.” Peterson provided 14 points and added 4 assists in the win.

“It was a great night of basketball,” Coach Clark said, beaming from the challenge her girls were giving Hancock, the 2022 state champion. “I was so proud of how hard the girls competed.”

The Lady Comets start the season on the road this year, behind a strong set of returners and a pair of electric newcomers that will build on successes in girls sports at Hillcrest this year.

The best part of attending Hillcrest’s rendition of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas may be singing with the cast at the end. Based on the 1954 movie, starring Bing Crosby, the Hillcrest performance is not only reminiscent of the film but has comedic elements and on-par vocal performances from Hillcrest’s cast that bring the show to an elevated plateau.

What’s the point of school? Plenty of students and parents ask this question each year. Finding the right school increases a family's chance of success both in the future and in facing current challenges. Schools are a resource for families to form foundations for their children. Knowing this, there are two important realities parents and students need to interact with as they consider what school will support their family.