Hillcrest Elementary School

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

Posted: June 27, 2025

We will greatly miss this school, the staff, and the family like atmosphere we experienced here. They really care about the kids. From the front office to the crossing guards, the principal, special education, nurses, counselors, and all of the teachers. I can not express enough how wonderful everyone has been to us these last few years.
My child was able to ask for help with the curriculum if needed and received extra help as needed. They made it easy to communicate your child’s needs. The communication between parent, teacher, and principal is great. The principal makes time for students and actively participates in school activities.
They will do all they can to ensure your child succeeds.
It is a great school, and we will miss our Heron family.

Posted: November 15, 2022

Just awesome school overall! My kids love it, I see an improvement in their reading, math and social skills improvement.

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: November 15, 2022

Posted: April 11, 2018

Poster Child of the broken public school system. District conceals their inability to effectively educate and manage.

Posted: April 11, 2018

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Posted: May 28, 2017

Posted: May 28, 2017

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Posted: May 28, 2017

Posted: May 28, 2017

Posted: May 28, 2017

I have been to this school years ago and I loved it teachers where amazing and helped me out

Posted: June 5, 2016

The teacher had excellent communication betwee herself and the parents. My son was interested in the material being learned. Garden was one of his favorites! The school nurse contacted me on 2 occasions immediately when she thought there was an issue. I appreciated this because it felt as though the staff cared about my son's well-being. The principal is sweet and easy to talk to. The PTA puts on several functions that the students love i.e. treat Friday, student store, color run etc. I'm so lucky that my son is enrolled here!

Posted: January 15, 2016

Posted: January 15, 2016

Unfortunately, this school is not focused on the needs of the students. It is run like an institution, a very broken institution. I had to pull my son out of there because the school lacks the resources to provide an education for the children who need to be challenged. Common Core worksheets simply do not cut it for some. Also, this school lacks many safety features and procedures that would keep a parent comfortable sending their loved ones there for 6 hours a day. I would gladly pay the tuition at the Christian school, for a warm, safe, loving environment for my child to flourish. At Hillcrest, the children are just a number. My sons teacher was experienced, but her hands were tied--25 students per class! She could not provide anything other than standardized curriculum.

Posted: January 15, 2016

I struggled immensely with the teachers at this school because they are forced to work within very small curriculum parameters; therefore all 27 children learn the same BASIC material. No matter if your child is ahead or behind academically, they all have the exact same instruction - so many children are left behind.

Posted: January 15, 2016

The curriculum is so basic that even if there is homework, it is exceptionally simple.

Posted: January 5, 2015

My daughter has been attending Hillcrest Elementary for the past 4 1/2 years. We have had some fantastic teachers who truly care for the children. The principal is very involved and is visible to the kids and parents. We really like the art and music programs, and are quite impressed with the majority of the support staff and instructional aides. In addition, there are lots of opportunities for parents to get involved with the classrooms and PTA. The PTA are incredible, putting on many family events, as well as providing needed supplies for the classrooms and kids.

Posted: August 17, 2014

No school is without occasional "speed bumps," and what I love most about this school is how my few issues were handled; immediately and with total attention. Next year I'll have two children at HCE and I don't have to worry about their safety or education. The PTA puts on some fun events, and even had an option for parents to help with the book fair to get free books- new books aren't cheap! Great principal, great teachers, great PTA! I highly recommend this school :) The 4 star, rather than 5, is due to the drop off system in the morning. Can there not be a lane where I can just drop my child off, and not have to park and walk them in? The traffic would move better if there was! Having to back out while no one will let you in is what is blocking half of the cars! Maybe the drop off lane closest to the play ground, so it moves smoothly, and the other two be for parking and walking in? Other than that, I have no complaints!

Posted: August 15, 2014

Hillcrest Elementary is a wonderful school. The teachers in this school are well educated and have concerns for their students. When my son was going into the 2nd grade we changed school districts and were zoned for Hillcrest. Now that he is going into 5th grade and my daughter is going into 2nd I wouldn't pull them from this school. The principal and teachers listen when a parent is concerned and action is taken. For example... I requested an IEP test to be completed. It was thorough and has actually helped in my daughter to get the education she needs. Our doctor even commended how well the school was at reacting and noticing an issue so early in her education. Many times I would email any teacher 'after hours' and as long as it was urgent I would get a response the same day if not within minutes after I sent the message. This elementary school is an A+ school in my eyes, everything that I have ever requested that was a resonable request has been addressed and resolved. My kids are happy when they go to school and that is all that matters.

Posted: August 15, 2014

Aside from an occasional amazing teacher, the support staff and leadership are not motivated, equipped or educated in teaching children with special needs. Resources are limited and the ones available are not utilized or implemented without constant parental intervention. I've had two children attend Hillcrest. One with special needs and one without. It was a pleasant experience for my child without special needs and disastrous for my child with special needs. We have happily transferred schools.

Posted: August 15, 2014

We love our school! Each child is thoughtfully placed in their class. The teachers are engaged with the students and their parents. There are more parent and community volunteer hours logged in at Hillcrest than any other school in the district. We have parents who come in during the day and teach Japanese or other subjects to supplement and make student global students. We have a beautiful garden for our students to learn about life cycles of plants and where their food comes from. Our PTA works really hard to put on fun family events like movie nights, game nights, and Winter-fest. Our Principal is enthusiastic and very caring. She is willing to try new things and helps to make them work. Our chickens are a good example of something new that has created learning possibilities, helped with behavior of the students and allowed our suburban child a window to observe and learn about animals.

Posted: May 15, 2014

My son loves this school and so do I. He has benefited from wonderful, caring teachers and other staff. There are high expectations for learning but they understand that kids are kids and they will make mistakes. The principal is amazing and is loved by students, staff and parents. She shows an authentic warmth and regard for all, but is willing to make the tough calls when necessary. How can you not love an educator who brings chickens into the school and involves the students on every level, sparking lessons in math, science, and writing as well as compassion? She is gifted and Hillcrest is lucky to have her.

Posted: February 27, 2014

Not impressed at all. Looking at another school district or paying out of pocket for private school. Too bad they still get our money even though they fail at educating and supervising our children...

Posted: October 26, 2013

My son loves this school. The teachers are all so nice and helpful. The pta is really good and we enjoy going to all the functions they put on for the kids. We are military and this is our last school year here. We are going to miss this school. The teachers encourage parents involvement.

Posted: November 18, 2010

My son has been at Hillcrest for 4 years and has had great teachers every year and a wonderful learning experience. We are very happy with Hillcrest. Oak Harbor is a great place to live and we have been very pleased with the school district and schools here!

Posted: September 29, 2009