Hillcrest Middle School

22833 North 71st Avenue

School District

Deer Valley Unified District
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Deer Valley Unified 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 January 28, 2025

I have had 2 kids attend here and my current student receives special education support with an IEP. We have had no issues, and I would definitely recommend to others. Their special education team has been great and helped my son make great strides in all areas he has goals in. The staff is easy to talk to and responsive anytime I have asked questions.
Submitted by student on May 15, 2024

I went to this school for two months and left. This school is absolutely terrible. My English teacher always acted like she was one of us children. Always trying to act "cool". Every single teacher at that school tries to act "cool" so children will like them. However, the only serious and engaging teacher there is Mrs. Stafford. Mrs. Stafford was my math teacher and she was very strict but strict for a good reason. She always made sure children had what they needed and if they needed to retake a test/assignment she would always help to find a perfect time for both her and the student. Mrs. Stafford always had a huge smile on her face and always cared about her students emotional and social life. Being taught strictly can motivate you to remind you that you need to get your work done on time, done properly, and done with understanding. The amount of bullying at this school is insane. I have witnessed so many students at this school being bullied and the staff doing nothing about it. The principle is careless. There was a very serious incident that happened in September, and the student that caused all of the drama should have gotten expelled for what they did. The office staff only suspended for a couple days. Like I said the principle and all staff are completely careless. They always say that this school is awesome and they would do anything to get rid of bullying. The only way to get rid of bullying is to get rid of the bullies. It is common sense and no one can ever open their eyes for once and see the real problems. I definitely do NOT recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2023

Generally great kids that go to this school. Teachers are very experienced in most cases but the choir also attracts caring new teachers. The school includes opportunities for extracurricular activities and other school sponsored events to keep things fun.
Submitted by student on May 16, 2023

like a couple other reveiws have said, teachers only care about appearing "cool" to the students, teachers harrass kids with accomadations by finding loopholes in 504 plans, some teachers are nice, i would say about 50% are bad 50% are good which doesnt seem that bad but the bad teachers are really bad, teachers refuse accountability for anything, principle isnt good with kids, and the counslers only hear the teachers side in teacher-student conflict
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2021

If I could give this school zero stars I would. My child has always been active in their school. From sports to student council. Just loved school. This school has sucked the life right out of them. From a delirious principal, rude front staff and majority of the teachers just appear defeated. Major bullying, kids always on their phone during learning time (causing social media drama and bullying), under stimulated kids (mostly during lunch due to no sports, activities or playground), no support from teachers, counselors or principal when a child begs to have a class switched due to bullying ( just asked to provide names of the ones bullying - we all know where that goes MORE BULLYING due to no control), children don’t feel safe to go to restrooms due to the activities taking place in there (even with increased “monitoring” and restricted times), kids know where cameras are and will plan fights and inappropriate item exchanges in these spots due to knowing the principal views are “didn’t see it on the camera it didn’t happen”. Sadly this school is ran by a bunch of 12-14 year olds so expect heavy sex activity, drugs and major bullying. Since switching schools we see it is truly only Hillcrest experiencing this extreme behaviors. Deer Valley should be ashamed of how this school is operating as we really are big fans of the Deer Valley district. Just can’t support Hillcrest.
Submitted by student on October 03, 2021

I would not recommend this school as I go here. The homework system is terrible! Most of the teachers are focused of being the "cool" teacher. With homework most of the teachers just tell us to figure it out. The school also develops terrible character in the people around me. Most of the other kids are racist, hate the LGBTQ community for no reason, and are terrible people. The teachers are meh, but I would recommend band because the teachers there are awesome, end up teaching something, and know how to keep everyone under control. All of the other teachers do not do to well with it. The school does terrible with learning differences because I struggle with math, and my parents put me in advanced everything. The teacher just expects me to know everything, and does not communicate properly. The leadership at this school is not effective because lots of the teachers I have let everyone scream, and take like 10 minutes to get everyone to be quiet. This school handles bullying terribly. Someone literally called my friend a terrorist and illegal immigrant right in front of the teacher, and the teacher did nothing. I also told her there were people being racist and talking about inappropriate stuff and she moved me, but REFUSED to talk to them, and tell the kids it isn't okay. The nurse is also rude. When I said I had a stomach ache and was nauseous she just gave me a ice pack, and said I was fine. The lunch portions are also small. They give everyone three small strawberries, and call it a serving. The meals are also extremely unhealthy. One day they just gave us nachos and cheese, and called it a meal. I always have to bring something with, or I feel hunger pangs for the rest of the school. I honestly still get the hunger pangs even if I eat the small snack with my lunch.
Submitted by other on April 18, 2017

Find it interesting that negative posts are getting deleted. My son has always been in the Deer Valley school district and has always been in SAGE since he was young. My son is was also part of the NJHS and is in all advanced classes. We got a spot at a local charter school and we decided to let my son attend. I am so disappointed that he was not at all prepared at for the rigor of this school. He is so far behind and now almost failing every class. Looks like SAGE and AP classes are joke. The headmaster at our new school is so amazing and is so genuine. I wish we would have started at the beginning with this school. So disappointed in AZ public schools.
Submitted by other on March 09, 2016

I feel the teachers do take a lot of pride in teaching. My rating is based entirely on my interactions with administrator and counselors for this school. They are often dismissive of parents. I have emailed and called the school on a few occasions, with no response. They did not engage on a request for a 504 plan for one of my children. On more than one occasion my children came home with scratches and welts from other students. My child was kicked by a student and not one of these incidents were reported to my by the school and they did not respond to my request for investigation. I would also recommend any child on a 504 or plan avoid this school. It has been a nightmare to deal with them.
Submitted by other on November 14, 2014

Mr Pack is the best papa ever because she so nice And she always helpful she can always fix bad thing she won't let get bad grade
Submitted by other on May 01, 2014

The principals, office staff, counselor and nurse are rude and rarely do their jobs. Like the principal you'll see her either in her office or yelling at kids to called there patents 5 minutes after school got out. The assistant principal you rarely see and if you do see is walking around with another terrible staff member. But as the rest if the reviews say, great teachers and education.
Submitted by other on April 14, 2014

this school has awsome some staff. there ed was some of the best ive seen.they need there students to behave a bit better but for the most party good.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2013

So many great opportunities for kids at this school. Clubs, sports, Spanish, STEM, advanced and high school credit classes. Many award winning teachers. So glad I sent my kids there.
Submitted by other on September 23, 2013

I love Hillcrest so far! I am currently in 7th grade taking mostly advanced classes. The teachers are great and I love all of my classes so far especially STEM. I enjoy working for HMSTV and the Digital Nest and am looking forward to participating in the First Lego League this year. If I had to say one thing my school could improve on, it would be communication.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2012

Ive put two students through Hillcrest, and was shocked at the change in attitude there compared to the elementary schools in the distgrict. I felt the administration spent alot of time and effort in "discipline" which involved students being written up for hugging (two males who crossed paths...this was considered inappropriate). They once gathered my son and others together to tell them they must straighten up. I felt they were being singled out, taken from their classes for this, and labeled "bad". Other parents told me it would be much better when they got to high school, and it was. I feel I shouldn't have put my kids through the Hillcrest experience.