Hillside Middle School

2222 Fitzgerald Road

School District

Simi Valley Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Simi Valley Unified 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 student on December 04, 2024

I'm a student here and I love this school the food is good and the teachers are nice. There are a couple of fights but the supervisors stop them. THere is also little to no bullying. I would recommend this school
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2024

They really care about the students and if a problem with the student grades arises, there are some multiple ways for a parent to be able to talk to someone about getting it remedied.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2024

We love it. Great councilors and teachers. Clean campus. Responsive staff. A ton of awesome electives!
Submitted by student on November 27, 2023

I love the school for the time I was there until one day I was coming home from school all happy to go eat my food and then I get a text from my friend that she had just been injured and I seen a video of her getting attacked by another student this is not the first time this is happened to one my friends At Hillside. I feel very unsafe. I feel like there’s someone coming to get me while I’m walking. I feel scared they do not do a good job of keeping their students safe other than that’s good.
Submitted by other on June 03, 2023

I have had two kids go through Hillside and both had a fantastic experience. The teachers are hardworking and dedicated. The administration is attentive and helpful. As a parent, I’m extremely grateful.
Submitted by other on October 14, 2022

literally the best school ever the best of all time great people
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2022

i was a student at HMS and the staff always treated me so horribly, my teachers treated me differently than other students because im openly gay, i spent every class crying and sleeping because i was so miserable. 1/10 never reccomend send your kid to montevista because valleyview middle school sucks too.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2022

They yelled at my kids, and didn't care when he was getting bullied. Bad school. Principal is extremely rude.
Submitted by student on November 09, 2020

Terrible. Hillside used to be great with learning and socialization and everything. But now, in quarantine, everything is terrible. "Socialization" is being in awkward Zoom breakout rooms where you tell people about yourself. I am a 7th grader, and for English, we learn about capitalization and commas. Math is horrible. My teacher just teaches the concepts and nothing else. In science we learn about HYPOTHESISs and EXPERIMENTs. Seriously? I learnt that stuff in 2nd grade!!! History is like the only good subject where we learn well. Hillside is an amazing school, but is doing horribly with distance learning. I feel like I am learning nothing. I feel so lonely and dumb. I really hate how Hillside deals with distance learning. They said that they improved everything, but really? No way. I am in HONORS, and it's this bad. Don't enroll your kid here. Wait for COVID to stop. I have to say, Hillside is amazing as a regular school. But now, it's the worst.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2019

So far very good, our daughter is enjoying the teachers and community and excelling in her personal development.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2019

Hillside has been a wonderful experience so far for my 7th grader. She is excelling in honors classes. The teachers are excellent at communicating. It's been a great experience.
Submitted by student on September 12, 2018

It has been very good and I am excited for Tomorrow.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2016

My daughter is currently in 7th grade at Hillside, and really loves going to school. The teachers she has have pushed her a little harder, the encouragement, and help and dedication are amazing. My child has never gotten straight A's and with everyone's help, she got a 4.0 the 1st semester and has been on honor roll all year long. Get involved with your kids school and do what you can because it does help..
Submitted by student on March 09, 2016

People like one person says I'm stupid and I know I'm not but I keep telling the ap office to talk to her but they always say "we're working on it" well all they have to do is call up the student and you know suspend them or give them a detention but no they "have more than that" of course just like any other school I've been to they don't tell the parents of the child or do something about the bully. That is exactly why I DO NOT like this school or love it!
Submitted by other on February 17, 2016

I went to hillside for two years and each year I was bullied. The staff doesn't care nor want to help in these problems. Honestly my time at hillside was full of ups and downs, on one hand I had a girl harassing me daily and when I went to staff for help I was threatend with being arrested unless I would say the bulling was fake. The vice principal repeatedly told me it doesn't matter they will leave you alone when you go to high school, they didn't I was bullied on and off which lead to a suicide attempt. The school needs better leadership and staff who are gonna actually stop bullying when it is reported.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2015

Wow! What an awesome school this has turned out to be. With our son coming up on middle school, we made the choice to move to Simi from the valley 3 years ago. When it came time to choose a middle school, we wanted to make sure it would be a good fit for what would engage him most. After touring the other middle schools, one of the other parents recommended that we look at Hillside. Common opinion from many who grew up in Simi gave it a bit of a mixed review but what we experienced during our tour was a warm and friendly place with smaller class sizes and a focus on arts and technology. This was right up my son’s alley and he made the decision right on the spot that this is where he wanted to be. 7th grade we saw a magical transformation from a boy who hated school and had poor grades to a young man getting As and Bs who loved what he was learning. He is now super focused on maintaining his grades so he can be accepted into Santa Susanna High to continue his learning in technology and arts. This year they added an optional 7th period and he jumped at the chance to start learning video production and robotics. What kid wants to have a longer school day? An engaged one. The 7th period class option filled up within 5 minutes of being offered. If that doesn't say something about the school, I don't know what else to tell you. The staff is amazing and super responsive to any issues. The teachers are top notch and engaging in their methods of conveying knowledge. If your child is interested in technology and the arts, we highly, highly recommend you consider this school. Your child will be coming out of this with real world skills that translate to real world opportunities that a general education may not offer. Of course this is my opinion, but I do truly believe that this is setting the stage for my son to become very successful in his future endeavors. My recommendation is to tour the other middle schools first and then come here. You will understand then what I am raving about. *Cheers*
Submitted by student on June 15, 2015

I really like Hillside. There are many clubs, and I especially like the magic card club. My teachers were very nice, saying hi to me in the hallways. Pottery was my favorite class, and we got to have our art work displayed all over the place. I though middle school was going to be scary, but everyone is nice to each other, and no one cares if you are different.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2015

My son has just finished his first year as a seventh grader at Hillside Middle School HMS. He came from Vista Elementary, and went through the honors classes for math, science and English. My experience is from an honors classes point of view where class discipline is not an issue. We found the teachers very approachable, the homework level lower then Vista (I believe because the students do most of their work during class), and the staff warm and friendly. He experienced a strong Math, Science and English Education. Excellent for a public school. This school changed from last year, going to a block bell schedule format, and adding arts and technology to the curriculum. STEAM. It is now a feeder school to Santa Susanna High school. (A very popular Arts and Technology school). I am told that 1/3 of the teaching staff changed from last year, going to more traditional middle schools, and the new teachers and Principal, Jerry Block were brought in happily willing to embrace and foster the Technology and arts atmosphere that Hillside has. The school is laid out so that it feels like a "small town" kind of atmosphere. Very closed campus. Many, many clubs, and next year there is a 7th period offered such as: Yoga from 7 - 8am or drama, robotics, or video production after school. Dance instead of PE is also offered. Last but not least. No bullying. Adults and students are kind to each other. Hillside has the highest handicapped population, of the middle schools of Simi Valley, and I believe they are in harmony with the rest of the student body. I believe it is the adult aids are around that really facilitate an accepting atmosphere. The Principal is terrific and very approachable. I recommend this public school to anyone considering sending their child to a private school. Mom of a 7th grader, MAY 20, 2015
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

Hillside middle school surprised me! To what I thought at first. Really turned out to be the best teachers and staff EVER. To bad this is the last year here... I wish I put my first kid here, not at valley view...
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2013

I have had 2 kids at Hillside middle school. I highly recommend sending your child there in sixth grade. I also highly recommend getting involved with the PTSA because you get the ear of the principal frequently and I find that when I have had issues with my kids they are handled swiftly . Not sure if it's because I'm an involved parent and all the staff know me or if that's just normal protocol. Either way get involved!!! There are a few really bad teachers who should be put out to pasture but with unions involved the schools hands are tied. Always make sure to file a written complaint so there is a paper trail. The admin staff is amazing and very involved. They really run a tight ship. They do a great job with extra curricular activities many after school clubs to choose from. I only wish my kids could stay here forever! Will be sad to say good bye next year...