In the classical Christian model, education unfolds in three stages: grammar (knowledge), logic (understanding), and rhetoric (wisdom and communication). By the time students reach the rhetoric stage, they are ready not just to know and understand, but to communicate truth effectively and persuasively.

In a world that often equates education with test scores, Hillcrest’s classical model stands out. At Hillcrest, students aren't just asked to repeat facts. They're invited to contemplate—to wrestle with the decisions these historical figures faced and to reflect on what kind of people they want to become. The study of biography becomes soul work.

There’s a unique attribute in Hillcrest's coaching—an intentionality that’s rare in high school athletics. Wins are celebrated, but they're not the end goal. Coaches Andy Stender, Maddie Heiser, Zach Stich, Derrick Clark, Matt Hendricks, Allen Aase, Jessica Knutson, Chad Brown, Eric Ewan, and others model mentorship that stretches beyond sport. They disciple students to pursue excellence with humility, to lead with Christlike character, and to see their identity rooted in more than performance.

Throughout the day, Hillcrest seniors led discussions on foundational topics such as "Defining the Unborn," "The Science of Life Before Birth," and "What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Life?" Students carefully walked attendees through the historical landscape of abortion in America and the development of the pro-life movement, blending strong apologetic reasoning with a heartfelt call to defend life from a place of grace and truth.

At Hillcrest, we believe God made each child to reflect His image—to be a creative, truth-telling, life-shaping influence in the world. Author visits, journaling, art, music—these are not electives to the classical learner. They are essential practices that awaken the soul, deepen connections, and give students the tools to express what God is doing in their lives.

Something special is happening with Hillcrest Track.

At the Barnesville Booster Invitational, the Comets didn’t just break records—they showed what happens when hard work, encouragement, and a team-first mindset come together. This is more than competition. It’s a culture of joy, discipline, and unity—and it’s turning heads.

A slight wind rippled across the University of Minnesota–Morris track when Maddie Miller settled into her blocks for the 100‑meter dash. Moments later, she exploded down the straightaway, eyes on the finish, and claimed a new Hillcrest record in 12.54 seconds. Miller’s triumphant smile hinted that this was only the beginning for the Comets, a team radiating talent and promise from first event to last.

The bell had barely finished echoing through Hillcrest’s lower-school corridors this morning when a new kind of hush settled over the campus. Grandparents filled the hallways with gentle laughter and smiles, ushered down hallways to grandkids’ classrooms where their presence wasn’t merely sentimental; it was essential. In a classical Christian school that treasures the great conversation of the ages, grandparents are living footnotes, primary sources whose lives testify to the truths students encounter daily in class.

Unlike any other ancient text, the Bible is both historically accurate and spiritually transformational. The Second Grade class led chapel today to walk through the history timeline they’re learning and testify to God’s hand in history and to lead people to know and love Him.

There’s something deeply contagious about wonder. Step into a classroom at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, and you just might catch it. In fact, it’s hard not to. Curiosity is often on full display—students leaning forward in their seats, hands shooting up with questions, and voices ready to share something meaningful. But on a recent Friday morning, what unfolded in the fifth-grade classroom didn’t just reflect engaged learning—it unveiled a living testimony to how our students are learning to see the world.

Church members in each location the choir tour visited last week were stirred as they watched the next generation proclaim the Gospel; not through preaching, but through music that carried eternal words. The choir tour became a living expression of Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” These concerts weren’t staged performances; they were mission moments. And in these moments, Jesus was glorified.

In a world that often values information over wisdom, Hillcrest is committed to forming students who not only know but also share—who disciple others through what they have learned and who see education not as an end in itself but as a means of knowing and glorifying the God who created all things.

Music is more than sound—it tells a story of faith, perseverance, and purpose. As students in Mr. Clark’s class at Hillcrest Academy studied the lives of Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, they discovered lessons that shaped their own understanding of calling and character.

Hillcrest Academy’s classical approach to education isn’t just about rigorous academics; it’s about shaping whole people: students who think deeply, live wisely, and love well. True learning isn’t an isolated process; it happens best within a community of shared experiences and meaningful relationships. From the ancient Greek academies to the monastic schools of the Middle Ages, the greatest centers of learning have always understood that knowledge is best cultivated in the soil of deep, relational community.

While it may look like a fun costume day, what’s really happening is something much greater: students are expanding their minds, strengthening their understanding, and learning to carry truth into their daily lives. At Hillcrest, dress-up days aren’t just about what students wear; they are about who they are becoming.

The Comets’ season ended in a hard-fought battle against a tough Ada Borup West squad. After a competitive first half that saw Hillcrest trailing by just three points at the break (27-24), the Cougars seized momentum with a decisive 10-0 run early in the second half. Despite executing their game plan well, the Comets struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, going 0-for-8 in the first half and just 1-for-5 in the second. Free throw struggles added to the challenge, as Hillcrest converted only 6 of 16 attempts.

Despite Hillcrest’s defensive control, Frazee refused to go quietly. As the Comets' offense cooled late in the first half, the Hornets clawed their way back, slowly chipping away at the deficit. Hillcrest’s shot-making stalled, and Frazee took advantage, pulling within one just before halftime. But while the Hornets had managed to close the gap, they had spent nearly every ounce of energy doing so. Hillcrest had forced them into an exhausting first half, making every possession a battle.

A student’s faith journey is not meant to be traveled alone. Today’s conversations at the parent-teacher conferences serve as a reminder that the road to spiritual maturity is paved with intentional guidance, encouragement, and accountability. When a teacher sees a student struggling, they pray. When a parent senses their child wrestling with questions of faith, they pray. When parents and teachers come together, prayer becomes a powerful catalyst for growth.

The Hillcrest Comet girls’ basketball team closed the curtain on a remarkable season last night, battling until the final buzzer against Underwood in a tough playoff matchup. While the final score read 56-41 in favor of the Rockets, the scoreboard does little to tell the true story of what this team has accomplished.

The Hillcrest Comets are storming into the postseason with confidence, carrying the momentum of their record-setting season into a decisive 65-47 playoff victory over Park. The Comets, known for their relentless defense and disciplined play, found themselves in an early hole but quickly turned up the pressure to overwhelm the Falcons and secure the win.