Hillcrest’s Student Life
Hillcrest's culture and student life is diverse and dynamic. As a classical Christian school that also offers residence halls, Hillcrest regularly welcomes new students from different countries, states, and the local community.
To help students assimilate and make friends we organize a Welcome Week for our Upper School (6-12th grade) students. During Welcome Week students can expect school orientation meetings, athletic practices, and chapel services that help students gain a perspective of what school is like at Hillcrest. Our Lower School (Preschool-5th) has a Back-to-School Night where they meet their teachers, bring in their school supplies, and connect with other families.
The culture at Hillcrest is warm and inviting, with returning students excited to meet and befriend new students. The teachers are known for their connection with students. The student life and classrooms at Hillcrest are lively, and you’ll find it easy to learn and grow in your academic knowledge, relationship with Jesus Christ, and connection with other students.
We strive to make the Hillcrest experience meaningful and impactful!
Grow in Faith
At Hillcrest we care deeply about equipping students to grow in their faith. We integrate faith in all aspects at Hillcrest. Our Kindergarten-6th graders engage their faith in the classroom through devotions, prayer, and weekly chapel. 7-12th grade experience faith in their classroom discussions, teacher-led devotions, prayer, and one on one conversations with Hillcrest staff. Chapel is held three days a week for our 7-12th grade students.
Each month, students gather in huddle groups as part of the Chapel program. These groups are led by Senior students who are equipped to take the student body through a small group Bible study.
In addition to the Chapel program, many students will engage in small group Bible studies or prayer groups that occur before the school day.
Hillcrest has a 100+ year tradition called Prayer Day. Prayer Day occurs every semester. Prayer Day is an opportunity for students to pause and hear special messages delivered by community pastors and Hillcrest teachers.
Hillcrest also encourages students to engage in the local church. Many Hillcrest students attend weekly youth group meetings on Wednesday night where they have additional mentors in the local church. Hillcrest also expects students to attend weekly church services on Sunday mornings, directing students to the worship times as a mandatory aspect of the Hillcrest program. Students begin to develop habits of attending church on their own with their friends, habits we believe will remain as they continue on to college and university study.
All of these programs run on the back of Hillcrest’s culture of mentorship. Hillcrest has an expectation that students remain engaged not only in their faith formation but also in the community of faith.
Student Life
Hillcrest provides a vast array of activities and opportunities for students from all age levels.
Preschool-5th grade students experience field trips, recess activities, art, music, and hands-on learning in the classroom.
6-12th grade students can participate in athletics, fine arts, school activities led by student council, or take part in a wide variety of clubs.
Hillcrest offers a wide range of clubs including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, robotics, Lego, speech, chess, knitting, Knowledge Bowl, Key Club, among many other opportunities.
Dorm students can anticipate shopping trips, amusement park adventures, open gym, club offerings and other various activities. Students residing in the dorms find support from our resident life and mentor groups.
Hillcrest's goal through activities is to unite the student body and enhance the Hillcrest experience.
Service
Hillcrest provides service opportunities for students to participate in the local community. Often, these opportunities are carried out through service groups like Key Club or National Honor Society.
Each year students pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child during Chapel. Other times, because of the close-knit community at Hillcrest, students find opportunities to serve and support the local community naturally.
Senior Mission Trip
Since 2009, Hillcrest seniors have traveled to the Dominican Republic for a short-term mission trip. These mission opportunities had an enduring impact on the student body, but there was also a desire to ensure a lasting impact on the people of the Dominican. To that end, Hillcrest began a ministry partnership with a Christian grade school in a barrio of San Pedro named Santa Fe.
Santa Fe is an impoverished area comprised of about seventy percent Haitian immigrants. A large part of Hillcrest's ministry on the ground in the Dominican Republic takes place in this school. The Dominican location has provided abundant impacts to the Dominican Republic and on our students' hearts.
In 2021 Hillcrest started going to Orlando, Florida for the senior mission trip. Students engaged in street ministry with local churches, evangelized to locals, and volunteered at local service organizations.
These service opportunities serve a greater purpose in not only spreading the Gospel message but also shaping our students’ character.
Is Hillcrest right for your family?
Your child's education is one of the most important decisions you will make. Contact us today and experience the difference at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy.