Our School
Welcome to Hillcrest School! Hillcrest opened its doors on February 18, 1952 in response to the growth of Downers Grove after World War II. Over the years, the physical building has been expanded twice, first in 1957 and then in 1993. One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the Hillcrest community. The Hillcrest community consists of dedicated staff, involved parents and enthusiastic students. Please take a look around and come back soon!
We BELIEVE That . . .
- Children are our highest priority.
- Hillcrest must be a safe and friendly place.
- Teamwork is an intrinsic part of a successful school.
- Learning is a shared responsibility of the student, home, school and community.
- “Finding the positive” keeps us moving forward.
- Students learn best when actively engaged in a respectful environment.
- High expectations within the school community are essential.
- Leading by example is powerful.
We are a part of a community where kindness, trust, respect and patience create an environment for optimal learning, teaching and working.
We are excited about the wonderful opportunities for learning that await each and every one of our students throughout the year. We are very proud of our accomplishments at Hillcrest, where our mission is to educate children. Hillcrest has earned the distinction of Academic Excellence on the Illinois Honor Roll. This award goes to high achieving Illinois schools as measured by the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade level standards on statewide assessments.
Our school community consists of respectful students who are enthusiastic about learning, and strive to do their best. These are boys and girls who anxiously await the daily lessons and activities that are in store for them. Times and events such as the beginning of the school year, student council activities, assemblies, culminating unit projects, reading incentives, variety shows, safety patrol, and much more find their way onto priority lists of Hillcrest students. In a nutshell, they are excited to learn because it can be fun, they care about the quality of their work, and they see their accomplishments as meaningful.
Dedicated staff members are also essential to our community. Staff members share a vision in which students are cared for and loved. We have beliefs: shared promises to our students that are non-negotiable. We live our beliefs daily in all situations. And if we were ever made to condense our heartfelt beliefs into one statement, it would be this: Kids are Worth Whatever It Takes. We continually work towards collaboration, fairness, patience, creativity, and genuine happiness in order to be excellent role models for our students and to inspire a positive climate in which to teach and learn.
In addition, Hillcrest boasts a truly involved group of parents and families who place enormous value on education. Simply put … they want what’s best for their kids! And we couldn’t be happier. Frequent communication between school and home is an obvious first step to a successful school experience. Hillcrest parents are key in fostering this connection. Parent involvement is unquestionably one of the most significant factors influencing student achievement. Whether involvement comes from being an active PTA member or working closely with children at home, we embrace family efforts and celebrate the results.
All people within the Hillcrest School community share the common goal of helping students succeed. This shared partnership increases opportunities to pique student interest, natural curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning.
