Hillcrest Middle School

725 Bloomfield Road

School District

Gravenstein Union Elementary
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

charter

School Map for Gravenstein Union Elementary 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 December 29, 2024

There is something going on at this school that is not being communicated to parents. This year, there have been knife fights in campus and several students leaving the school for bullying. Although they promote their school as inclusive and “family”, it is a total left turn from their crunchy Sebastopol marketing. Worst decision to send my kiddo to this school. We are a family that left this year.
Submitted by other on June 13, 2023

I would advise against enrolling your child in this particular school if you prioritize a positive middle school experience for them. The school fosters a hostile and unwelcoming environment. The principal's lack of support and bias can negatively impact your child's emotional and mental well-being. It's crucial to prioritize a school that promotes inclusivity, supportive relationships, and a nurturing environment for your child's overall development.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2022

A great school, focusing on academics and not politics. These students do well, they are not divided by political ideologies. I praise the teachers and staff for keeping their ideologies to themselves. Hence, making school a great place to learn.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2020

Love the location. Love the administration and the faculty. Most of all I love how everyone has been welcoming, compassionate and supportive. Students are treated equally no matter your gender race or even disability. There is much Aloha at Hillcrest!!!
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2020

Excellent administrative and teachers. Proactive and supportive.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2020

quite good for a middle school experience! All the teachers seem to get along well and know all the kids. Good vibes all around.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2019

This used to be an amazing school, with an amazing principal. The principal left quickly, leaving them to choose a really bad principal quickly. He mostly sits in his office, drinking his big gulp. He is terrible for this school. The school has become totally disorganized. The line to pick up and drop off is ridiculous. They used to stagger 15 mins., and it was awesome. This principal changed it, so everyone picks up/drops off at the same time. He blasts music in the morning at drop off for kids to think he is cool. Instead of being cool, BE EFFECTIVE. He is the worst roll model to be leading a school. He is a terrible communicator. He took a phenomenal teacher from the former, amazing Enrich Program, and has him not teaching academics this year. HUGE loss for the children. Instead, he has him doing an artsy class. This teacher is extremely gifted and hopefully the school doesn't lose him.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2019

My son transferred to Hillcrest from a school in Santa Rosa and it was the best thing for him. They are on top of bullying and now my son can actually enjoy school.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2019

We have had great experiences at this school and have kids enrolled since 2010. The staff is friendly and replies promptly to our concerns. Parent involvement is present at all levels, often we can't even find time slots for us to help out. The ENRICH for all program is controversial with some people but I see it as an equal opportunity for all kids to learn. There is no cost for the program, never was, donations as always are recommended. Now the advanced kids can help pull up the kids that have not had this opportunity before. Anyone complaining about how their special kid doesn't get to have special attention above and beyond the "Traditional Kids" is just insane. My one grip has been the administrative turnover has left things unbalanced. They seem to be working through it and the conservative leanings of the board has shown they can weather financial storms.
Submitted by other on May 22, 2018

Look, man, this school is not what it makes itself out to be. It's a part of the gravenstein school district, which involves this really awful idea called the ENRICH program, which basically takes the kids who can pay a few hundred bucks a month to be taught the EXACT SAME STUFF (I was in it for the last few months I was there), but you get to go on field trips, and overall be treated a lot better. The idea of the school is to shadow kids in the ENRICH class, so when you go, you think you're getting a real good education, but the truth is, it's some false advertising B.S. It's sick. You look over and you see the ENRICH kids going on buses for field trips, and you're just thrown in the dirt. And what do they call the non-ENRICH kids? Traditional. You heard me, they literally call you TRADITIONAL. What kind of a name is that? Congratulations, YOU'RE TRADITIONAL. You're just "average". Please don't put money into this absolutely sick school district.
Submitted by other on December 20, 2013

I'm a student here at Hillcrest, and I love it. The teachers are kind and supportive- they try to get you to do your best no matter what. The music program is great too- Mr. Pulley is awsome! He helped me really learn how to play music. Unlike most middle schools, Hillcrest is almost totally free of bullying, and there is no such thing as 'popular kids' and 'cool kids'. Everyone treats everyone the same, no matter how they look or how old they are. You should absolutely join this school! Just one thing...beware of the school lunch!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Memories of my own middle school experience had me dreading the time when I would have to send my children to middle school. I looked high and low for an alternative to the mostly large middle schools in my immediate area where, when around the campuses I felt very uncomfortable with what I heard and saw from the kids who attended them. I happened upon Hillcrest which stood out as a very different environment. Upon further investigation I was pleasantly amazed at the caliber of the teachers, the academics, the extra curricular activities, the administration, and especially for me, the culture of the school where 11 to 14 year olds actually behaved like I would like to see that age behave and how they treated each other with overall kindness and respect. My eldest daughter spent her first year in middle school elsewhere and was very unhappy. After moving to Hillcrest, she too was surprised that she observed none of the language and behaviors that turned her off the other school. She thrived there as now my other two children who currently attend Hillcrest are thriving. Mr Fichera, the principal is caring, involved and impressive in many ways. I can't say enough about this school!
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2013

Hillcrest is an excellent middle school. As a parent I could not be happier with the academics and social culture. The teachers are excellent and give the feeling that they truly care about each students progress. There is a lot of parent involvement. I will be sad when my 8th grader graduates this year. But I will know that she had a great experience and learned a lot at Hill Crest Middle School.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2013

My school is awsome!! Thay have made me feel good about leaving my child the curriculum is great and I couldn't have found a better school for my child.
Submitted by other on July 06, 2013

I go to Hillcrest and I love! there is so many great activities, such as field trips and sports day. I like how we, in all grades, are allowed to interact with each other. The school could improve by, better teachers and better school lunches. The teachers are rude. The lunches are mystery meat which means...horse meat, cow meat, and pig meat all combined! eww!
Submitted by other on January 27, 2013

We give this school a solid A and five stars. I was surprised to see the negative reviews until i realized they are from years ago. Speaking from recent experience we could not be more satisfied with everything. The ENRICH program is wonderful and the nurturing atmosphere provides a safe and encouraging place for the children to learn. There seems no problem with peer pressure as in most other schools, the students seem to be respectful of each other and their teachers. The teaching quality is excellent and the principal is very visible on campus and at after school events. He is very well liked and runs a very efficient school. My elder grandchild graduated last year and is now at Analy, she was very unhappy at her other middle school and after transferring to Hillcrest she blossomed. Her siblings are in 6th grade now and are thriving and enjoying everything Hillcrest has to offer. Speaking as a former Bay Area teacher I have to say I am extremely impressed, and the children's parents are very happy that they placed their children here.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2011

Wonderful School. We have been having a great experience for the last three years. My son started here after leaving Twin Hills. It's a great academics, lower peer pressure atmosphere. Wonderful Music program an incredible electives. My son is flourishing. Linda LaMarre , David Fishera and the outstanding ENRICH staff are continuing to do a great job. Loved Keri Pugno too , who is now a great elementary teacher for our lucky kids!