Hillandale Elementary

2730 Hillandale Road

School District

Durham Public
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Durham Public School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 24, 2023

Hillandale is a richly diverse community school with a long tradition of excellence. The school and broader parent communities feel like a family. Teachers are dedicated, creative, and care deeply for our children. The school represents the community and is rooted in equity and respect.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2022

I LOVE Hillandale! And I have to say the magic has to be the principal. You can tell when she is running things and it looks like she just has the Midas touch. The energy she brings to a room changes the whole place. She praises her teachers and knows her kids and makes people feel important. You don’t see this in Durham so much because so many people are loud and over the top. She carries herself like royalty by comparison. I’m lucky I have son and daughter at Hillandale and hope they don’t ever lose that principal!
Submitted by other on April 03, 2022

I’m writing this review as a teacher desperately wanting to be part of this school. I’m friends with some parents and a couple of teachers here and I always hear great things about the leadership, especially the principal. Teachers everywhere are quitting their jobs and this principal protects her teachers and school to a point that people actually noticed when she was absent from the school when she had a baby. This principal is humble and works so hard that people don’t know about her time at an Ivy League school, her degrees, and how she pushes her teachers to get to their dreams. I want so much to know this principal and hope the district knows the gem they have in her. She’s very classy and authentic and different than you see in Durham. My friends at Hillandale say they know she could have been gone a long time ago but she says she’s not done with what she wants to do with their school. I hope she sticks around and I hope I can be part of it!
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2020

Excellent school. Glad My children are there.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2019

We LOVE Hillandale. My child had the same teacher for Kindergarten and 1st. It doesn't usually happen... they just moved her from K to 1st and my child was given the option to have her again or go to another teacher. Of course we chose to stay with her because Ms. Emory is amazing. She loves the children like her own. I knew everyday that I sent him he was going to have a good day and be treated well away from home. He has absolutely thrived at Hillandale. Ms. Hart-Olivis is also a wonderful woman. She knows the children personally and really cares about "her babies." We have 3 children and they've been to several different schools among them. My 3rd child goes here. We've had a lot of opportunity to see what works in educational settings and what doesn't. I just wish we'd always lived here so all 3 of my children would have had the opportunity to attend Hillandale. It's a good place. My son isn't babied, but he is nurtured. I know this little human I've been entrusted to raise is safe and cared for at Hillandale. The teachers are kind. Administration works hard to do what's in the kids' best interests. It's also a very diverse place. My child started kindergarten at Voyager Academy. I thought we were lucky to have gotten him in. After a few weeks, we were not at all impressed. We toured Hillandale, and we saw so much diversity, not just among the students but also the staff. It's important for children of color to have adults of color to look up to. Hillandale has that. We just love this place and count our blessings to live in this district.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2019

Wonderful. I see good changes happening. Some of my other mom friends with older kids told me how much they adore Hillandale and I feel so lucky to be here.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2018

We have had children at Hillandale for the last 7 years. Hillandale is the best choice for us. We feel so fortunate that our children are able to attend this school. Hillandale is full of committed teachers, passionate volunteers and reflects of Durham's diverse community.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2017

We've had great experiences with our daughters' teachers at Hillendale. Dedicated to their students.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2017

My son was there for kindergarten in 2015/16 so this is not based on the current leadership. He was miserable and became depressed. His assistant teacher was militantly strict. I don't know if it has changed, but the school did not have a school wide or even a grade wide discipline strategy. Each teacher does her own thing so one kid's experience can be very different from another's. He got in to a charter for first grade and has enjoyed school ever since. We would never recommend Hillandale and totally regret having him there.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2014

Hillandale schools,es una muy buena escuela mi hijo a aprendido mucho en esta escuela,las maestras q dia a dia trabajan ense ando a nuestros hijos a q aprendan a leer escribir etc. Gracias Hillandale por ser un buen equipo.. ...
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2014

Es una escuela muy buena yo tengo 3 nenes ahi y me gusta todo lo que wstan aprendiendo. Muy buena escuela .
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2014

Very good school Indeed. Great teachers that really worried about the kids education and well being.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2014

I have had three of my children attend this school, and we have been very pleased with the teachers and teachers' aides, the Principal, and all of the programs offered: music, art, P.E., computers, and library. The carpool system works very well. Great community of parents as well.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

This school has a very cohesive, motivated staff, excellent principals, and a welcoming building and grounds. I have two children that attend this school and have thrived here! They have always had very caring and supportive teachers, students/friends who have helped them grow as individuals and learn to share, and a nurturing environment. I would highly recommend this school to anyone and regret that others have said otherwise based on one experience at the school.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2013

This is an outstanding school. Services, curriculum, faculty are first rate. The educational team is experienced, not only individually, but as a faculty. Led by a sensitive, strong leader in principal Bates, school has connections for support services for every child. I had three go through Hillandale and attribute their success in middle school to the foundation they got at this school.
Submitted by other on August 16, 2012

I love Hillandale! I went here from kindergarden to 5th grade and it was the best school ever! Pretty much all the teachers I got were so amazing and really cared about me. Whenever I go and vist for spring fling the place is filled with color and happiness and good times. I will never forget Hillandale.