Hillside Student Community School

"My daughter joined Hillside in 6 th grade and graduates this year. We credit Hillside with her academic success and emotional growth these past years, despite the pandemic. The small class size, truly caring teachers, and strong academic work have prepared her for college. Like all students, she had moments of procrastination and getting quite behind on papers and projects/ but with the support of the teachers, she finished and even excelled in her work. Hillside does not ask its students to just complete endless mounds of busywork or endlessly memorize things. The students complete months long projects with their history papers- work that will prepare them for college as well as future careers with problem or project based assignments. They must learn to live in community with fellow students without the luxury of avoiding those you disagree with, due to its small size. And the staff strive to provide each student the tools to communicate with others, and move away from a goal of “perfection” with its arts classes and drama club. As more proof of its academic rigor, my daughter was accepted to all of her colleges, including very competitive schools like Oberlin College and Whitman, with scholarships to each. Thank you Hillside for truly caring and wonderful community!"

"One of the most impressive thing about Hillside is the faculty's level of passion and commitment; students grow in a community of teachers who can ignite their interests and learning. Even the teachers who've been there quite a long time aren't 'burnt out' but seem to have grown into their calling, caring deeply for individual students and the community as a whole. The visual arts and drama programs are especially remarkable, and were very important for my son--but all the faculty are excited about their subjects, and show a mutual support of each other that I've rarely seen in another school."

"Hillside is the sort of unique community one must participate in, in order to fully absorb the gravity of. Affording kids the opportunity to both be kids as long as possible, and to write college-level material at early ages, there is no place more suited to the child who belongs there. Those that love it cherish it, and those that don't, likely misunderstand it. Small class sizes allow a more intimate discussion setting, where a child may truly thrive if they choose to do so. Largely run by the Sherrard family, in legacy of one of the best, most gentle women I have ever known, Edith; Hillside truly lives up to its proclamation of being a Student Community."

"I attended Hillside from 8th to 12th grade. What an exceptional experience! I have never encountered teachers who care more about their students' education, growth and development than at Hillside. The family values upon which the school was founded shine through the curriculum at every opportunity. Hillside challenged me in so many ways from college-level history papers starting in ninth grade to an emotional understanding of myself and my peers, something I wouldn't understand the importance of until much later. After graduating in 2009, I obtained an engineering degree at Stanford University and now work in the medical industry. Nearly 10 years later the academic and life lessons Hillside provided me are still some of the most important I have gained throughout all my education, and the campus and staff hold a very dear place in my heart. I highly recommend your child spend as much time there as possible."

"We found Hillside SC a few years ago, and enrolling our son in the school starting in 6th grade was one of the best decisions we have made as parents. Hillside SC is a very unique school, with a rigorous academic curriculum while encouraging each student's individualism. Our son is learning a lot, yet is no longer stressed about school. The open and accepting community has also helped him to gain confidence and maturity. We are all so grateful for this incredible school."