Hill Campus Of Arts And Sciences

Posted: February 19, 2025

hill isnt the best school you can send your student to..... its not a safe learning enviornment and its very hard to get knowlege there. please explore other options!!!!

Posted: February 19, 2025

Posted: September 27, 2024

I did NOT enjoy this school at all. Last year multiple guns were brought by other kids and I was made fun of and picked on every single day. The teachers were respectful, not counting the few that weren't (to me at least.) I would not recommend this school at all. I barely learned anything in my 2 and a half years of being there.

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

i have attended to hill campus of arts and science for all 3 years. At this school i have been bullied harassed daily. people always try to expose and fight you. I am so glad i am in highschool now and i won’t ever look back at that school again. If you are reading this and other responses please look into ad many responses as you can from student that have actually gone here. I have been getting therapy for 2 years after the atrocities this school has done to me.

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: March 11, 2024

Posted: October 23, 2023

I'm a student at this school and I'm just saying that this school doesn't feel safe. The hallways are cramped and messy and every student is unaware of other people. There are fights at least 2 times every week. The teachers provide a little support, but not the best. The learning experience isn't as productive as it should be.

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

I am at this school at the moment and it is a mess. The teachers provide some support for me yet for others in the class they get none. The teachers are terrible and would rather avoid the problem of people not behaving then solving it.

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2023

Posted: September 23, 2022

This school is filled with Harrassment in every hallway. I can not count how many times I've been bullied and harrassed here. I ended up leaving here at the end of 7th because of how horrible it was. I am very thankful I left this place.

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: September 23, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

(Re-posted due to a glitch where info from my previous review that I did not re-type showed up anyway. Fingers crossed it works this time.)

Junior in high school here! My experience at Hill Campus was a mixed bag: There are some friendly students at Hill. Others are very disruptive and stop the teachers from being able to teach. This is the biggest problem with this school. I can say that Hill could have definitely done a better job managing disruptive students by removing them from the classroom much sooner (which this school will not do for some reason.) Coming from a calm private school where almost everyone behaved, I was shocked that cursing is normal here. If you have a sensitive kid, please look elsewhere for middle school. Also many teachers at this school were in their first year (meaning they were unequipped to deal with the more problematic students.) The teacher turnover here is unbelievable! Several teachers left in the middle of the year, and every year it seems to be a brand new group of 22 year olds. Some of the teachers are very unprofessional (dean twerking in the hallway, enough said.) On the positive side of things, the 8th grade language arts teachers (who are now gone) really made a difference in my life. There are schools in DPS with worse behavior problems than Hill, so you could do worse, but that doesn't mean I'm excusing this school's faults. So overall, if you have nowhere else to go Hill isn't the worst school to attend. If you have other options, take advantage of them. (This review is based on the school in its state in the 2018-2019 school year. I can't speak on what the school has been like in more recent years.)

Posted: October 4, 2020

Posted: October 4, 2020

Some were good but teacher turnover was HUGE.

Posted: October 4, 2020

Posted: October 4, 2020

Posted: July 9, 2020

This school is a mess and it is only going down the drain

Posted: July 9, 2020

Too much or not enough never balenced

Posted: July 9, 2020

Teachers are the only good thing about this school

Posted: July 9, 2020

Posted: July 9, 2020

Posted: July 9, 2020

Posted: March 25, 2020

The school's learning opportunities are amazing, they have an AP human geography class which is taught extremely well and their advanced classes are similarly amazing, their language ars program is good and the students are taught well, the electives can vary quite a bit, but it is extremely underfunded in the art department. The social aspect will be determined by the child. It is possible to make great friends at the school, but if your child is innocent and you want them to stay like that just be aware that a lot of conversations get into X-rated territory and alcohol or drugs will appear quite a bit. The school is a coinflip, it is either really good or really bad, I am glad I won that coin flip but, I must point out that some of the students are very rowdy, discipline is loosely enforced and honors are the only chance of a child getting a decent education.

Posted: March 25, 2020

There is almost no homework given for the first two years and it is possible to go through the school without doing a single piece, of the few teachers that assign homework it is very doable but inspires no accountability.

Posted: March 25, 2020

The teachers at this school are great and they are very effective at their jobs provided they are not being cursed at by students. The school's main academics come solely from its honors classes while in non-honors it will frequently become a screaming match.

Posted: March 25, 2020

Posted: March 25, 2020

This is an endless can of worms that I will avoid opening, but suffice to say children curse a lot and are extremely aggressive in the non-honors classes from first-hand experience I will tell you that if your child is not in honors they will probably have a very rough time if they are academically oriented.

Posted: February 5, 2020

Posted: February 5, 2020

Posted: February 5, 2020

This is one of the worst schools in DPS. The teachers have NO support regarding discipline in the classroom. There is no follow-through from Admin. The culture is terrible.

Posted: February 5, 2020

Posted: February 5, 2020

Posted: February 5, 2020

Posted: February 5, 2020

Posted: January 30, 2020

terrible and bad and bad and bad. My son got bullied.

Posted: January 30, 2020

Posted: January 30, 2020

Posted: January 30, 2020

Posted: January 30, 2020

Posted: January 30, 2020

Posted: January 30, 2020

Posted: September 23, 2019

The kids at this school “rule the roost”. They know they won’t get any real punishment; they cuss, yell at teachers, bully right in front of them and nothing. But if your child has been identified as a troubled kids they will get in trouble for everything and the others know this and antagonize them to get them into more trouble.

Posted: September 23, 2019

The school says they’re trying but they give your child the minimum required assistance to say they are following the IEP. When your child acts out then you have meetings to figure out what to do to help them...

Posted: September 23, 2019

This school is building bullies. Kids get in your child’s face and push them around and are told to stop and nothing else. If your child says anything back or pushes back they get in trouble. Then more meetings to figure out how to help them with their anger...stop the bullies, but your child is now the bully because they stood up for themselves. Make teachers stand up to these kids!

Posted: September 23, 2019

If would not recommend this school if your child is an individual, they will be labeled weird and depressed. If your child has diagnosed issues like ASD, ADHD, ODD, etc this is not the school for them. They are not equipped to handle these kids in their classrooms. I have never seen kids behaving like this in classrooms and treating the teachers so poorly. This is not a school, it’s more of a pre-teen daycare. Lord of the Flies anyone!

Posted: September 23, 2019

No guidance for homework, 6th grade. Your child is supposed to read for a 30 minimum for literature and there sessions listed for math. No real accountability

Posted: September 23, 2019

The only 6th grade teacher I see really teaching is the math teacher. She tells the kids how it is and puts them in their place. The others just give shallow warnings. The kids play games and message each other all during class.

Posted: September 23, 2019

When I shadowed my child I was shocked at what these kids get away with daily. They don’t listen, turn their backs on teachers when being spoken to, tell teachers no, walk out of class and are all around rude when expected to listen and do the work. They are only “cool” with they teachers who try to be their friends and let them get away with everything. I see no “character” building just kids bad behavior being justified.

Posted: June 22, 2019

Our school principal holds himself to a very high standard. He is always open to communication and has an open mind for a parent and student requests.

Posted: June 22, 2019

Hill was able to address the higher educational needs of my child. There are copious opportunities for high and low level intervention. The myriad of elective courses is also very impressive.

Posted: June 22, 2019

Posted: June 22, 2019

The children are each assigned their own laptop which goes back-and-forth from home to school. They are responsible for keeping track of their homework. Parents always have access to the lessons and homework plan also.

Posted: June 22, 2019

My child just finished six grade and was very fond of all the teachers. They work very hard to teach and care for children in this very sensitive developmental stage.

Posted: June 22, 2019

Posted: June 22, 2019

My daughter had a wonderful experience first year at Hill Middle School. She grew both academically and emotionally under the teaching and care of Hill teachers and staff.

Posted: May 24, 2019

They are kept seperate from most of the other students, but as far as I know the paras do the right thing. Students with physical disabilities are treated horribly. Ive seen nurse mary screaming at a 7th grader in a wheelchair for using the elavator.

Posted: May 24, 2019

The discipline system is terrible and does not teach students to be any better. It is simply a mild inconvinience for them and they continue on with their day

Posted: May 24, 2019

This school gave me a horrible, twisted view of the middle school experience. I'm grateful for the incredible diversity, as the school has every walk of life you can think of, but it is poorly managed and is just generally bad.

Posted: May 24, 2019

Students are forced to use an online math program for a grade, and the program is difficult to understand and has more setbacks for missed questions than reward for correct questions.

Posted: May 24, 2019

Teachers come and go and there are issues with racism, favouritism, and equity.

Posted: May 24, 2019

The community is incredibly diverse, but the character amd relationships are built mostly through the students and is not impacted much by the teachers and staff

Posted: May 24, 2019

Students don't have very much power over their own learning and the many unjust rules.

Posted: March 24, 2019

Posted: March 24, 2019

Posted: March 24, 2019

Posted: March 24, 2019

Posted: March 24, 2019

Posted: March 24, 2019

Posted: March 24, 2019

Great so far.
Staff and security are amazing.

Posted: March 23, 2019

Hill's progressive homework philosophy mirrors recent research that shows little to no benefits to homework at this age. They have a small amount that encourages responsibility and accountability, but the amount is such that they are given ample time to pursue interests outside of school.

Posted: March 23, 2019

I have been nothing short of astounded by the exceptional quality, creativity and enthusiasm of the teachers at Hill. They are truly great at what they do and second to none. They have inspired my son, encouraged his talents and developed his skills in amazing ways.

Posted: March 23, 2019

My son has made many friends across the socioeconomic spectrum and has (I believe) become a more compassionate, respectful, well-rounded human being because of his interaction with his peers at this diverse school. Is it perfect? Of course not (it is middle school after all), but I do believe that the benefits and lessons learned from being part of a diverse population are uniquely preparing Hill students to be a part of the global community. They will have an advantage in this regard.

Posted: March 23, 2019

The principal does have an intense style, but it works. He has creative ideas that encourage student ownership of their education and makes learning fun (signature classes, robust electives options, Super Soar). I hope he stays around for several more years.

Posted: March 23, 2019

Posted: March 23, 2019

We have had no firsthand experience with bullying at Hill.

Posted: March 23, 2019

Overall, I and my son has been very happy with Hill. The student community has been welcoming and kind and he has enjoyed his teachers and classes immensely. The robust electives (STEM, Speech & Debate, languages, theater, etc) are very impressive for a middle school and the accelerated learning options (e.g. geometry in 8th grade) are very unique and hard to find at any school - public or private. I would highly recommend this school.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Sean Kavanaugh is a leader and respected by the teachers and students at the school. He is easily accessible and responds very quickly to any questions.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Posted: March 22, 2019

We have not had issues with bullying with my son.

Posted: March 22, 2019

We are very happy at Hill and feel our son has a variety of classes to choose from. He is challenged and knows what's expected of him. His teachers support him with any needs and staff and teachers are easily accessible.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Posted: March 22, 2019

My son loves school and has established good relationships with his teachers. He is in the honors classes and is challenged everyday. He's in 6th grade now and in one of the classes they even teach some 8th grade material to challenge and open minds.

Posted: March 22, 2019

I believe expectations are high and obtainable for all students if they apply themselves. Time is taken to address any concerns within the student population and students know what's expected of them.

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Principal Kavanaugh is a likable guy, but a poor administrator and a bully (as mentioned elsewhere). I don’t recommend Hill Campus of Arts & Sciences.

Posted: January 10, 2019

Lots of racial tensions that appear to go unaddressed

Posted: January 10, 2019

Average. The social and mental health staff is amazing.

Posted: January 10, 2019

There is no clear strategy across the school and communication is lacking

Posted: January 10, 2019

Some teacher should learn how to be more engaging

Posted: January 10, 2019

Sean Kavanagh sets the tone and it's not tolerant or compassionate

Posted: January 10, 2019

Sean Kavanaugh is not a leader I would choose. He lacks empathy and interacting with the students on a human level.

Posted: January 10, 2019

Plans for students do not seem clear to their teachers

Posted: August 27, 2018

The school does what it can with the limited resources available from the district. Inclusion is appropriately valued at Hill.

Posted: August 27, 2018

The culture team is very responsive to bullying reports.

Posted: August 27, 2018

Having taught at Hill for 2.5 years, I had a great opportunity to get to know the levels of dedication of the teachers and administrators there. I would certainly recommend Hill to any family who might be considering sending their middle school children there.

Posted: August 27, 2018

Teachers have considerable autonomy over homework emphasis in their classes. One recorded grade per week must be from a homework assignment.

Posted: August 27, 2018

My colleagues at Hill were, on average, the most dedicated faculty I have experienced working in public schools.

Posted: August 27, 2018

Administration and Culture Team are outstanding at holding students accountable and celebrating success.

Posted: August 27, 2018

Mr. Kavanaugh has an intense leadership style, but he is fair and communicates clearly.

Posted: May 18, 2018

Posted: May 18, 2018

Posted: May 18, 2018

Posted: May 18, 2018

Posted: May 18, 2018

Posted: May 18, 2018

Posted: May 18, 2018

We love it! My daughter is finishing up 6th grade and she has had a fantastic experience at HCAS this whole year!

Posted: March 8, 2018

Posted: March 8, 2018

They could be much more effective with actual leadership and support from admin.

Posted: March 8, 2018

Students are allowed to run rampant. Cursing in classrooms and the hallway is normalized. I've been screaming at and cussed out for telling a student "you can either work in here or in ISR, but you have to work". I would not allow the student to re-enter my class until he and I sat down and talked, and I was reprimanded.

Posted: March 8, 2018

Mr. Kavaunaugh is more concerned with gimmicks and seeming "cool" than creating a positive enviroment for students and teachers. I'm convinced the 5 star reviews are fake and would not put it past him at all to cook up fake reviews. Nightmare. Coming from a former teacher at HCAS. When I was there, there wasn't even an art class. How do you call it Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences without that?

Posted: March 8, 2018

I fought to get a student with obvious learning disabilities services, and I went to her mother's home and promised that I would not let up. I was not able to accomplish that in 6 months. There were too many roadblocks and not enough support.

Posted: March 8, 2018

Students are not disciplined, and they even bully teachers.

Posted: March 8, 2018

Horrible. I was named Teacher of the Year at my previous school, and was commended for helping teachers and students with student behavioral problems. I was set up to fail at this school.

Posted: February 4, 2018

I have a 6th grader and this is my first timer as middle schooler's parent. And I have experienced such an amazing thing in this school. Mr. Kavanaugh is very helpful in so many ways ever since the first time we step our foot in this school.
As a Muslim family and when I asked him for a little spot for my boys and maybe his other muslim children to pray, he gave us a room with an easy access to the restroom. Thank you so much, Mr. Kavanaugh for all your help.
My boy really like this school, he is enjoying it. No complaint or what so ever so far. Thanks to all the teachers that helping my son this year. You are all so awesome.

Posted: February 4, 2018

Posted: February 4, 2018

Posted: February 4, 2018

Posted: February 4, 2018

Posted: February 4, 2018

Posted: February 4, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

Posted: January 11, 2018

EXCEPTIONAL!!! Best middle school ever! Teachers and admin are amazing!

Posted: January 5, 2018

We would highly recommend Hill Campus and Sciences to any family looking for high academics, a safe environment, and outstanding electives providing multiple opportunities for student growth and success.

Posted: January 5, 2018

Posted: January 5, 2018

Teaching is one of the most complicated jobs of today. It demands a broad knowledge of subject matter, curriculum, and standards; enthusiasm, a caring attitude, and a love of learning; knowledge of discipline and classroom management techniques; and a desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. The teaching staff at Hill hold all of these qualities which we believe is a direct result of the effectiveness of learning for each student.

Posted: January 5, 2018

Through Sean Kavanaugh's leadership and through the amazing teaching staff, Hill continues to develop strong character in all students by encouraging and providing opportunities for all students to reach and receive awards/certificates in front of their classmates every month, once goals are successfully completed in math (IXL), literacy (Accelerated Reading/AR), Perfect Attendance, SOAR Award (Safty, Ownership,, Achievements and Respect) SOAR awards), and Golden Skyhawk Award. Through these achievement awards, students are inspired to continue develop their integrity, compassion and respect for all others.

Posted: January 5, 2018

Excellent schools don’t just happen; they require the right kind of leadership, both at the classroom level, in daily operations/administration at the front office, as well as being an integral part of the community. Sean Kavanaugh's leadership is why so many families are choosing Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences for their children's middle school. Sean is innovative, compassionate, respected, energetic and a visionary; tirelessly looking for ways to improve the school, the classrooms, and students' learning/middle school experience. Mr. Kavanaugh continues to create an environment where teachers love to come to work each day and as dedicated professionals, make a difference is each student's life.

Posted: January 5, 2018

Hill's teachers and administration is dedicated to making sure that every student succeeds in their learning, and is prepared for the next level of their education. Teachers make availability over their lunch, or after school to support a student who may need some additional help. In addition, tutoring is available after school a couple days a week open to every student.

Posted: January 5, 2018

There is a zero tolerance for bullying at Hill. If any student feels threatened, they are instructed to talk to any teacher, principal, or family member immediately. Hill hold a Dean of Safety and Security on staff and campus for each grade.

Posted: December 21, 2017

Wonderful! Our student is in his second year at Hill and I volunteer at the school so I get to experience/see the above issues firsthand or through our son's daily reports. We love the STEM program, the attitude by the administration and teachers, and are so proud of Hill's continued climb in their success!

Posted: December 21, 2017

Students who grasp the concepts during class quickly are allowed to do their homework during class which minimizes the amount taken home. Unless a student falls behind, there is no homework on weekends and holidays which gives us family time during breaks and no homework arguments!

Posted: December 21, 2017

Teachers work very hard to meet the individual learning needs and pace of each student. I really like the class sizes which allow this more dedicated approach.

Posted: December 21, 2017

The leadership, teachers, and staff all promote positive decision-making skills in the students and expect them to take responsibility for their decisions. It is ingrained in the culture.

Posted: December 21, 2017

The principal, Mr. Kavanaugh has an incredible amount of energy that he brings to the school every day and really makes himself available to the students and parents. He is very straightforward with what has been done, needs to be done, and works hard to set the students up for success. He is part of the reason we chose Hill for our son.

Posted: December 21, 2017

Our experience has been that Hill teachers do a great job in spending individual time with their students and listening to them. The addition of the City Year program allows extra help during and after school for students who need extra practice and time to do their work.

Posted: December 21, 2017

Students are encouraged to immediately report any bullying and is that it is taken very seriously and dealt with in a timely manner and with respect to all students involved.

Posted: November 10, 2017

My 8th grader shadowed at a DPS High School and found that the work they were doing was review for her. We felt that Hill has done a very good job preparing her for high school .

Posted: November 10, 2017

Posted: November 10, 2017

Posted: November 10, 2017

Posted: November 10, 2017

Posted: November 10, 2017

Posted: November 10, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

Posted: October 24, 2017

I am a parent of a high performing student. We were worried about whether or not he would be challenged. We have been thrilled for 1.5 years and counting. He is happy to go to school every day and excited about his assignments. Teachers do a great job of teaching to many levels at once with personal learning time and other techniques. In addition Hill has a strong STEM program, arts, theatre, music Spanish and sports. There is something for everyone !

Posted: October 23, 2017

Posted: October 23, 2017

Posted: October 23, 2017

Posted: October 23, 2017

Posted: October 23, 2017

Posted: October 23, 2017

this school is one of the best because it pushes you to achieve your goal(S)

Posted: October 23, 2017

Posted: August 22, 2017

I am very disappointed that my child has to attend Hill! I am trying to move just to get her out of there.

Posted: August 22, 2017

Either homework isn't assigned or there is a excessive amount.

Posted: August 22, 2017

There are a few good teachers including Askew, Buggs, Shipley, Hertier. Most of the good teachers left.

Posted: August 22, 2017

Hill is going down hill and fast.

Posted: August 22, 2017

Kavaunaugh (Principle)is okay, Almond (Asst Principle) is okay. Eno (dean) is horrible! Bad mouths children and staff, short tempered, and antagonistic towards some children.

Posted: August 22, 2017

Very little accommodation for students tyhat learn differently.

Posted: August 22, 2017

Bullying is ignored by most, and addressed by telling the student to avoid the bully.

Posted: December 2, 2016

Posted: December 2, 2016

My Son is in 6th grade and he loves it,Stem,360 Math,impressive,Spanish and the most important person Mr kavanaugh taking the school above and beyond!

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 16, 2016

I am the parent of a 7th grader at Hill. Her experience has been wonderful. With so many options for schools, I know it is tempting to just look at test scores and rankings. However, I would encourage parents to take a look at Hill. It is a very diverse student body and the teachers my daughter had in 6th and 7th have been great. i appreciate that they give appropriate levels of homework so that the kids are learning time management and executive skills. There is a positive energy at Hill that you won't find everywhere.

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

Posted: November 15, 2016

The homework is meaningful. Not a lot but all worthwhile.

Posted: November 15, 2016

Hill Middle school has been a great experience for my child. We were excited to attend Hill for the many opportunities such as band, orchestra, STEM and athletic after school programs. This year there was also a guitar program offered at the school as well. All of those opportunities have been great but I’m especially pleased with the teachers at Hill. The academics are excellent and the teachers at Hill keep the students engaged and challenged at all levels. The teachers and all the faculty are easy to contact and very responsive. If you are looking for a middle school that has a lot of choices and an exceptional staff, Hill is your choice.

Posted: October 20, 2016

My daughter went to Hill 20 years ago, went to East High after that and she is now an MD Phd serving her community. I now have a son going to Hill with with more needs that need to be met than another Denver school could offer. Sean (Principal) accepted my son mid term and made sure that he would be sucessful. He is thriving at Hill!

Posted: September 23, 2016

We have a daughter that is now a 7th grader and was 6th grader last year. Overall, we have been very satisfied with the entire experience. There is currently a strong desire to improvement the school and the current principal and teachers are clearly trying to motivate the students and engage them in many activities. We have really been impressed with the STEM courses. The Honors track has been solid and the theater program has been fun too. All around, we are pleasantly surprised. Clearly, ratings and scores don't give the whole picture as this school has a lot of potential.

Posted: September 21, 2016

Posted: September 21, 2016

We are a new family to Hill with a 6th grade student. Despite much trepidation about transitioning to middle school, things have gone far better than expected because of the passion and dedication of the teachers and administration at Hill. We have been impressed by the combination of structure and care and concern and the quality of teaching.

Posted: September 9, 2016

My son is just finishing his 3rd week of 6th grade at Hill and thus far our family is beyond thrilled! Our son comes home each day excited about what he's learning in class, his teachers, the new friends he's made and basically his whole day! The communication from the administration has been great - quick response to emails, weekly newsletters, monthly meetings for parents with the principal.... Our family researched and visited several different middle schools and ended up choosing Hill. At this point, I'm very happy with our decision.

Posted: August 22, 2016

My kid has faced several encounters of bullying and slight harassment from faculty. My kid complains about many behavior issues and poor treatment. While Hill certainly isn't the worst school, I would not rate it as great.

Posted: December 4, 2015

Our 6th grader can retake math tests/quizzes/homework with the highest grade possible 90%. This gives him the opportunity to improve his learning and grade, but provides incentive to work harder.

Posted: December 4, 2015

We have been blown away by the quality of teaching at Hill -- intelligence, level of commitment, how they challenge students and how each of them, in their own unique ways, make learning fun.

Specifically we like:
- Accountability (Our son has had to have late homework signed by parents and administration).
- Students have the opportunity to improve quiz or homework grades since the real point is *learning* the material.
- Teachers make themselves available for students to get extra help, though they require students to take the initiative to come see them.
- Teachers go the extra mile to make students feel special, respected and connected. (i.e. our son recently redeemed some Ms. Howard's "Howie bucks" for a Chipotle lunch with her.)

Other things we like about Hill:

- Class groupings - The same group of students make up all of my son's core classes. This "shrinks" the size of the school and has helped him make friends quickly.
- Mindfulness with Mr. Kavanaugh - This seems like a great way to regroup after lunch.
- The principal knows our son by name and says hello in the hallways.
- The principal is open to ideas from parents and responds quickly.
- Our son feels safe at Hill.
- STEM is offered. Our son loves his projects in this class.

Posted: December 4, 2015

Posted: December 4, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

The teachers this year have been terrific - they are a dedicated group. The theater program is good. There is a very nice community of students.

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 12, 2015

We are a new family at Hill (6th grader) and we are having a very positive experience so far. The transition from elementary school to middle school, not to mention the choice system, can be daunting and stressful, so it has been a relief to get off to a strong and positive start. We are realistic to know that “it is middle school” and that there will be ups and downs, but have been impressed and pleasantly surprised with what we have seen so far.

As we hoped for and expected, we are enjoying the well-rounded traditional programs at Hill, from honors tracks in core subjects to a wide range of electives across the arts and sciences, to after school clubs and sports. The year-long STEM elective is a must and has been the most differentiating part of the year so far.

More than we hoped for, the school is clearly working to set a positive and upbeat tone. The administration has been very responsive, and we have been encouraged to see all the efforts, small and large, traditional and creative, to build a constructive culture across a diverse student body. The PTA has also been very welcoming, and it is great to see people working hard to build a strong and more importantly, caring community. Thank you for all you do.

Posted: November 4, 2015

Posted: November 4, 2015

Posted: November 4, 2015

Posted: November 4, 2015

This is my 2nd year as a Sky Hawk parent and we're having a good year. I have a 7th grader at Hill Middle school who is happy to be there and her teachers are enthusiastic and engaging.

Posted: June 18, 2015

Posted: June 18, 2015

Posted: June 18, 2015

Posted: June 18, 2015

My child is happy, the parents are nice and the teachers are great. I think the school is going in a positive direction.

Posted: June 17, 2015

This is simply a warning to anyone thinking of working at this school for the first time. Basically, all the teachers who want to work in a good, honest, positive environment have left (at least 80% in the past year and a half). The few who are staying are the ones, and there are always a few in every company, who believe that they are favorited and protected by admin for whatever reason. I taught at this school for several years and never would have chosen to leave if it wasn't unbearable to work with the current administration. The students are basically good and, for a DPS middle school, it's a good school. However, the administration is the worst I've ever seen. They are dishonest, demoralizing, ruthless, condescending, and they lack communication and people skills. However, the principal is such a great salesman that you won't believe these things at first. Give it time, however, and you will see what I'm talking about. Heed this warning and try to work somewhere else. Hill is not a good place to be right now.

Posted: June 11, 2015

Please do not accept a job offer from this school, especially if you live out of state. As someone who has done so, I want to caution others against upheaving their lives for what will likely be the most unpleasant experience of your teaching career. The turnover over the last 1.5 years is all the evidence you need.

Posted: June 9, 2015

Posted: June 9, 2015

Posted: June 9, 2015

Hill is a great school! It is by far one of the best traditional middle schools in DPS. The leadership team has great vision and enthusiasm. The entire building staff (not just teachers) truly cares about students and creating an environment that is challenging, nurturing, safe & fun. Change can be challenging for the entire community, and not without it's positives and negatives. Hill has historically been a good school, continues to be a good school, and will be a GREAT school under the new administration.

Posted: June 9, 2015

Posted: June 4, 2015

The principal painted all the walls but then my teachers couldn't make copies because they didnt have enough money for paper. Where did all the money for the paint come from? They play the worst music ever for announcements and i'm pretty sure its a religoius song because they talk about being a twinkle in gods eye which i think isnt cool

Posted: June 4, 2015

Posted: June 4, 2015

Posted: June 4, 2015

This school is too easy. Dont tell anyone i said that but i don't Feel like it challenges me enough

Posted: June 3, 2015

When your administration is full of bullies your students emulate that behavior. The administration only cares about certain students and this creates favoritism that is obvious to everyone observing. When you have a person who is not a good person at the helm, you cannot have good leadership and modeling of behavior.

Posted: June 3, 2015

If I were in my first, second, or third year in the district I would never work in this building. The administration is vindictive and uses the thought of non-renewal as a way to keep teachers from speaking up when administration mistreats them. They constantly are telling staff members not to create a negative work environment by sharing how they are treated by admin, and if you do share your experiences they tell you that you are unprofessional and that this could negatively impact your standing in the school. This tactic is used to isolate teachers, keep them afraid, and keep them quiet. The environment is completely demoralizing, especially if you are a young teacher, because it creates an environment that makes you feel trapped. If you seek other positions, your loyalty is questioned. Administration has been known to give poor references to keep teachers from finding other employment, which teachers are desperately trying to do in order to save their careers. With at least 50% turn over from this year to next (and likely to increase over the summer), I think it is clear that this building is not a place where careers are grown, but rather stifled and stunted.

Posted: June 3, 2015

The teacher comment stating that the "three 5-star comments comments written on June 1 were written by admin" is clearly true. As a parent at Hill, I've heard this exact language ("talking points") used by the the principal during parent meetings. It seems very clear that something is terribly wrong behind-the-scenes at Hill -- and that the administration has created a fear-based and stressful work environment for the teachers. I'm very sad to see so many teachers leaving. That said, I have to praise the teachers even more because they didn't let their stress and disenchantment impact the students. My daughter had a fantastic year with some amazing and energetic teachers (and I know from talking to other parents that many other kids did too). Very admirable. I would encourage families not to flee the school, but to stick around and try to help improve it. We need to support teachers and help change the way the administration treats them.

Posted: June 3, 2015

This school cannot possibly develop honesty, integrity, and fairness in its students because it's leadership does not model honesty, integrity, and fairness. Quite the opposite, actually.

Posted: June 2, 2015

Posted: June 2, 2015

Rampant drug use. Teachers leaving in droves. Demoralized students. Inexperienced admin who are inflexible and make mistake after mistake. Discipline is nonexistent

Posted: June 2, 2015

Posted: June 2, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

I am a teacher at Hill and couldn't be happier to work there! I know the school has gone through significant changes in the past year or two, but that is expected under new administration. I have worked at other schools in the district and feel so fortunate to have landed at Hill! I have the privilege to work and learn from an amazing group of teachers and students. To be able to work somewhere where you grow as an educator and as a person is really all you can ask for! I have read the other reviews, and I feel it is unfortunate that specific circumstantial incidences have taken precedence over what the staff at Hill strives to achieve. Our students and their success is why we are there, why we push ourselves, and why we work as hard as we do. I would not hesitate to say that Hill is one, if not the best, middle school in DPS.

Posted: June 1, 2015

Having worked in several middles schools in the district, I can say that Hill is at the forefront of positive change. Gone are the days where teachers went to their rooms and shut their doors only to see admin once or twice a year. At Hill, teachers constantly collaborate and are given coaching. Teachers work together to make each other better. It can be uncomfortable at first (if you are new to it), but we do it for the students; EVERY child deserves an excellent education and educator who is willing to grow and model for students what a growth mindset looks like. With this change, Hill is seeing all children succeed, and that is what it's about. I would not hesitate to send my own here one day.

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

Posted: June 1, 2015

After years of enrollment decline, underperformance and a student culture that was out of control, we have a new principal that cares deeply about ALL students. After just over one year the enrollment is back up, they are outperforming all of the other middle schools and the school is much safer. We could not be more happy!

Posted: May 31, 2015

DPS: WAKE UP!!!! What was once a premier middle school for the district has all but evaporated into thin air. Doesn't ANYONE at the district or in the administration read any of these comments? Our son, who was a top performing student, attended 6th & 7th grade here. After the first few months of 8th grade w Kavanaugh at the helm it was clear his cronies at DPS had put him in place and Hill would never be the same. We made the right choice at the time, moving our son to another school and saw many others leave Hill afterward. It is a very sad situation as many families do not have the ability to change as we did and their children are suffering for it. What an injustice to have such a lowered standard for all....what exactly are they trying to teach here when everyone must move at the same pace and teachers have no autonomy to be creative? I thought censorship and leveling was done away with after the '60s but it is alive and well at Hill Middle School. If mediocrity or less is what seek, you can find it here with Kavanaugh and his methods.

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: May 27, 2015

HUGE staff turnover continues for the 2nd year in a row for 2015-16. Even many of the ‘new’ staff from this year are leaving. 6 of the 8 eighth grade teachers will not return next yr- some by choice, some not. Another 50%+ staff will not be returning. The principal is openly pleased with the turnover rate he has managed to achieve in such a short period of time.
DPS: are you paying attention?
Teachers do NOT have the autonomy to incorporate any creativity in their instruction.
Last year, one of our child's teachers had the students acquire a well-regarded nonfiction book about social thinking and the elements that turn small ideas into big ideas. The class started to read the book and there was excitement for the discussion and exchange of ideas it would generate. The principal halted the book from being read, & the class had to switch to the same fiction book that every other student was reading in that grade. The plot had something to do with a mystery about who blinded a child with spray paint. Everyone had to read at exactly the same pace and no one was allowed to bring the book home or read ahead. Some days they had to have the book read aloud to them during class time.
Our child witnessed open verbal disagreements with the principal & some teachers in the hallways before and after classes. One teacher offered an after school creative writing project/club for a number of students. The project started and ended up being nixed because the principal repeatedly made mandatory staff meeting times to coincide with the project/club time. It was disappointing for everyone involved .
Regarding math: the principal owns a company that touts a better method to teach math and he is literally selling ideas and products to schools and districts. To incorporate this program in one's own public school is a conflict of interest. Comments about his salesmanship I agree with: fast talk and high energy. A book sitting on his office shelf, "Work Like You're Showing Off" says it all.... well, maybe not all......

Posted: May 6, 2015

After 1.5 years with the new principal, Hill has become an entirely different school. To start with, almost all of the staff has turned over. The new administration is primarily concerned with putting "yes" men in place that will agree to his mandates, no matter how outrageous the order. Teachers are leaving in droves, and if teachers wanted to stay, they are forced out of the building and district through nonrenewal of their teaching contracts. Parents, you will be impressed and amazed by the principal's ability to convince you to come to his school. Take note, he is a wonderful salesman and a terrible, terrible school leader. The people who work for him are leaving as soon as they can, and that's the main reflection of his leadership that you should be concerned with. Hopefully in a few years a new leader will be put in place that can restore Hill's place as one of the premier middle schools in Denver Public Schools. Until then though, avoid this sinking ship!

Posted: April 26, 2015

We moved to Denver a year ago and he was new to Hill Middle School, as he just started 6th grade this year. All year we have been dealing with my son being bullied by different kids in school. I want to make you very aware of what is happening. He has been teased for being a bigger kid. He has had students offer him a snack and then tell him they rubbed it in their pants once he took a bite. He has had a student push the chair out from under him in the auditorium. He has been pushed into walls and down stairs. I know about some of these issues, as I was witness to a couple of them. I have attempted to call the school, left messages, and even spoke to one staff member on one occasion. Nothing has been done. My son has told me he has filled out so many reports he is just tired of writing them. My son, who is only 11 years old, was overheard saying he was going to commit suicide. He said no one at the school would care or miss him if he did. He wasn't just talking about the students. He feels the teachers and all administration wouldn't care either. In an age where bullying is so prevalent, I am befuddled at how this can go unnoticed even after the parent (me) has reached out.

Posted: March 23, 2015

We held an 8th grade assembly last week to discuss the requirements for Continuation. Students must have 95% attendance, a minimum 2.5 GPA . What about all the kids who pass 8th grade? Don't they deserve to celebrate their accomplishment. New principal does not treat all kids fairly. Only cares about his numbers. Teachers however are terrific.

Posted: January 8, 2015

The new principal is attempting to clean house regarding faculty in staff, and is bringing in under qualified "teachers" to replace experienced staff. As a community member, I've witnessed the Denver police repeatedly on campus, and would not feel comfortable sending my student to Hill.

Posted: January 8, 2015

This school has gone downhill since the new principal has come into leadership. The school caters to specific students and is more worried about attendance/disciplinary rates, rather than student and faculty morale. Just for the record, I am not sending my next child to Hill.

Posted: December 4, 2014

I've had a child at Hill since 2010. Hill has become a great school under Principal Kavanaugh's leadership. Great teachers and great energy!! I highly recommend Hill!

Posted: November 22, 2014

Lots going on academically & socially that is good. Concerned that the importance of the mind-body developement is not being given attention. Children are getting almost no encoutagment to be physically active on a daily basis, this is a serious problem. Everychild should have at a minimum 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity every day. Heart rates up and all of that. They should be exploring fun ways to be active every day, for the rest of their lives. Pysical health literally feeds a smarter brain and is needed for a long & productive life. The Greeks knew this as does our Frist Lady. Invite Michelle to come and speak at Hill. She believes in exercising every day. Even with a very busy schedule she makes time to exercise. Test scores go up when student get their heart rates up for an extended period of time, every day. If you are basicallly only interested in raising the academic test scores for Common Core, get going and find a way that ALL of your students can be physically active, and not sedentary. I know you can do this. Other schools have. Look to them for guidance.

Posted: May 16, 2014

The new principal previously turned around an underperforming DPS school filled with primarily ESL students. Now he is taking a school that for years had inherited the GT & HGT students from the high performing Carson Elementary and turning it into a school like the one where he previously worked. It is clear he has an agenda but the students' best interest is NOT IT. When you dumb down honors programs and slow down the teaching to allow "everyone to be taught the same," it is doing a disservice to the students and community. This was once a school to be proud of, but no more. Parents are taking their children elsewhere while teachers are leaving to find a community with a rich, supportive learning environment, not one that paints that halls in rainbows to distract from the real issues. If you are truly considering this school, PLEASE ask parents of 8th grade students would had the benefit of Don Roy as principal and can give you a fair assessment. The teachers cannot speak freely and newbies have nothing to compare. A good education is at stark here - don't waste an opportunity to find a superior option.

Posted: May 15, 2014

Run for the hills parents!! Huge numbers of parents are pulling their 6th graders out of Hill after experiencing the new principal for a semester. Both teachers and students are leaving in big numbers. The numbers don't quite reflect the damage yet as many teachers have not yet announced their decision to leave and parents are clamoring to find other options. Teaching environment is awful and teachers are afraid of the principal. The principal is acting unilaterally, making big changes to the honors program without consulting with the teachers. It is the honors student families that are leaving in big numbers. He removed Visual Arts from the curriculum without consulting with parents and decided to pull in martial arts. Say What?? Parents supporting this don't really understand what is going on as teachers are afraid to speak up for fear of losing their jobs. Parents take a closer look at this school and make sure to speak with other parents before making a decision. The Principal is all about the standardized testing as well. Your students will spend more time testing here than at any other school.

Posted: March 12, 2014

Waited to observe the changes others were quick to condemn (I know - change is hard) and I have to say, I am THRILLED. The new principal's interaction with families and kids is outstanding. He hosts coffees once a month and has been part of dessert events to talk with parents and hear their concerns and address questions. My kids and I have already talked with him far more than the former principal - he knows my kids! Yes, he is amping up the academics offered at the mid and lower academic levels, but that shouldn't negatively impact the GT program, only making the talent pool in the entire school stronger. His goal is to get more kids to the advanced level, not just close the achievement gap! Improvement in any area makes Hill an even better school - and we love it!

Posted: February 11, 2014

This is because the school is excellent in every way. I am a honors level 8th grader at this school and have been here for almost three years. Every year has been a blast with great staff and great teachers! I feel like I am being challenged but also getting great support from all my teachers, even though I hate history my history teacher makes it all worth while. All in all this school is a great place for having fun while learning.

Posted: January 25, 2014

The new principal & change in the way the curriculum is taught is fraught with problems and inefficiencies which have either been ignored, addressed at a superficial level or simply given lip service with no plan of action reviewed with or explained to parents. What was once a strong school with a tiered system for learning is now a school bent on teaching to the middle to close the achievement gap. DPS is doing a disservice to the community and students with this "new" way of educating. The general consensus from high achieving students & parents is it will take time, perhaps a few years, for this school to get back on track. Very disappointing.

Posted: October 5, 2013

The school is going through a transition of principals. The new principal is a breath of fresh air and we have seen so many improvements to the culture this year. The school has seen a drop in enrollment and data - a change was needed. I fully support the new principal and know he will return Hill to being a great school.

Posted: October 5, 2013

I went to Hill a few years ago, and it was wonderful. i was in the Honors Program, and it prepared me for high school perfectly. However, I have heard and observed through the current students at Hill, that there have been a few changes. These changes must have good intentions, but the results are nothing but negative. First of all, they can't leave the lunchroom during lunch. This is strange for me to think about; I spent many of my lunches at Hill in my teachers' classrooms getting help if I didn't completely, 100% understand the lesson from the last class. Knowing that this is an option has helped me tremendously through high school, and I'm not afraid to ask for help now. Secondly, they are required to wear huge, yellow safety vests to the bathroom. Can I just say: who knows the population of Hill that has hand-washing as a regular habit? This is RE-VOLT-ING. Most importantly, the Honors program is changing. Of course having different levels of classes is going to be controversial. But being with kids at your exact pace was such a relief after going through elementary school with everyone mixed together. *Dear Mr. New Principal, please don't change the Honors Program one bit.*

Posted: October 4, 2013

Parents should think twice about this school now. The quality of the outgoing principal compared to the incoming principal is painful to watch.

Posted: October 2, 2013

Hill Campus is undergoing significant program changes to be in effect Fall 2014. (In all fairness, check with the school for details.) First off, this school has some phenomenal teachers who we are fortunate our kids have been exposed to. It's a safe, clean and pleasantly busy environment. Academically, the school has an Honor's Program which is tiered so kids are grouped with similar achievers. Prior to this year, the different levels could cover material quicker or slower based how the students grasped it. It left time for other learning/projects that could supplement the core. Our first child that attended Hill was exposed to some amazing instruction in writing, math, woodshop, etc. that knocked outsiders' socks off... "She learned THAT in public school?" Apparently, the leveling system opened up students looking at where they were compared to others and it created challenges. So next year, there will be two learning tracks- kids who are higher achievers and kids who will hopefully be high achievers some day. All will go at the same pace now. I wonder if such a significant change of course is the only option to deal with social/academic comparisons.