Hillcrest Christian

449 East Wilbur Road

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

43 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

I have had my 4 children in Hillcrest since 2016. I have had nothing but an amazing experience. Their new Headmaster has been doing a great job building up the staff and school. I love that they are invested and pouring into families. My kids have made amazing friends and love the atmosphere.
Submitted by other on April 18, 2024

Hillcrest is an excellent school if you are looking for a high academic, Christ-centered education. We are a family here, and everyone who comes to our campus experiences a warm welcome and a sense of belonging. The size of our school allows us to know our students and to be able to disciple them well. Each student is known and recognized by the staff. They are addressed by name and they know that they are loved. If you are a homeschool family looking for an in-person education, or if you are currently in public school and you are looking for a Christ-centered education, Hillcrest is the right fit for you!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2024

I’m really impressed with the academics and student life. They teach a Christian worldview in everything. They have a great mix of serious teaching combined with a lighthearted friendly atmosphere. My family is enjoying the new student area with a coffee house in it too
Submitted by other on April 17, 2024

This is an absolutely wonderful place to work. Our staff loves the Lord first and foremost and is always looking for ways to improve the school for both families and employees. Our current administration consists of incredibly strong, caring, and God-fearing individuals who firmly and consistently promote our Christian mission and vision. Our teachers are highly qualified and engaged. The school has assembled an amazing team of experienced and gifted administrators to solidly and consistently push for steady school improvement. An amazing community to be a part of!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2023

Hillcrest Christian School is an incredible safe haven for our family. We have children in elementary and secondary, and they are thriving academically, socially, and most importantly, spiritually. The administration, pastor, teachers, and staff are truly building the up the next generation to impact the world for Jesus! The teachers are PHENOMENAL- they pour so much love over the kiddos! All of my children have different strengths/interests and learning styles, and we have found that this school adapts to their unique needs and partners with us in identifying how we can best support them individually. Having previously been in the public school system, we can attest to the plethora of opportunities and benefits that HCS offers. HCS offers Spanish class starting in elementary. They also offer computer classes, art, music, and a variety of sports, in addition to amazing fieldtrips, community activities, school activities (pep rallies, candy cane cafe, International Day, Friday night football- to name a few), and school trips (middle school retreat, DC/east coast trip, Riley Farms) to build strong social and spiritual connections. The standardized testing shows that HSC students are testing well above grade level, demonstrating the strong academics of the school. Weekly chapel is a highlight and emphasizes the focus of the school on our Lord. Overall, we are thrilled with HSC and have found our place and our people. Beyond grateful that we are part of the HCS family.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2023

Our family feels completely deceived, the administration is nothing but "acting christians" who tell you what you want to hear while sweeping all of the filth under the rug. So many things go unhandled including fighting, sexual language and gestures, and bullying. My child had something happen to them by another student and they refused to even call my child in to see if they we're ok or to get their side of things. Not even the campus pastor. This is in elementary school! My emails are completely ignored and my meeting with them was met with nothing but gaslighting. Also the teacher turn over is something like I've never seen. Most of my child's favorite teachers are gone this year. Makes me wonder why? I know for sure the class sizes are not what they state on the website. It's not 12 to 1. My child's class has 24 students with only 1 teacher. Lastly, DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY! We have been promised for 3 years that the elementary playground would be replaced and that they are building a gym. They have not done one single thing to improve the elementary side. I don't believe there will ever be a gym. Where did all that money go? The kids are in an event tent for chapels and performances, it doesn't seem safe to have an event tent up for years and have the kids out under it in the wind, rain, and heat. I'm disappointed with our experience to say the least.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2023

This school puts on a great show but it is nothing like they play it out to be. The website is full of half truths and programs from years ago that have never made it to the new campus. I know this because it is why we signed up a few years ago and then found out they hadn't updated it. The staff turnover is something all parents and interested employees should look into. Do not believe for a second that these teachers moved away or the Lord moved them in a new direction. I could see enough that teachers were miserable even if they didn't say anything. Safety concerns are not taken to heart and students are bullied a lot on the secondary campus. I was amazed at the things I heard from my children about what happened during the day and students were disciplined. If these incidents had happened on a public school campus they would be suspended or even expelled. The students look messy and disheveled and I'm amazed at the piercings and tattoos on high school students. Administration puts the blame on everyone but themselves and do not treat people with respect. As a parent, the high school principal talks to me and my children in such a condescending tone and I don't know why she felt so self righteous. The head of school only talks about money and they seem to raise a lot but I have no idea where it goes. They have been asking for money for a gym and we have given and given and they gym is never going to happen in the next 5 years. The board members don't even have their kids at the school anymore because they know what a joke it is as well. I couldn't let my child have 80% new teachers for another increase in tuition and leadership that is terrible. We will be happy with public school this year. I really wish I could ask the former teachers why so many left this year, but instead we will just leave as well - if the teachers didn't want to continue I don't know why we should either. This place needs a whole overhaul of anyone who is in charge. It could have been amazing if it was anything like the website said it was, but unfortunately they do not care. Yes there are a few amazing teachers and staff who love God and the kids, but that can't be the minority. All lip service. SO many parents are afraid to leave a review but I want to help others know this is not the place to be. Lesson learned.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2022

The new head of school is doing an excellent job. Love that our children are being taught about Jesus, Christian values, and the Bible. The academics are strong, and homework has become more reasonable. Kids are excited to go to school, and the school has a nice community.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2022

Hilcrest has sadly gone down the drain. We think that kindness makes the teachers look more human to the students so this is not happening with some HC teachers that are encouraging liberal views as well as telling our children SOCIALISM IS GOOD amongst other ungodly behavior. A handful of teachers seem very bitter and un-Christian like. Kids are afraid of them. The educators should be stern but at the same time kind, so students would be open to let their guard down and be open to listening to them. There is no spiritual leadership for the teenagers that are struggling with their Christian identity. The Principal doesn't know how to discipline the children that are misbehaving, drinking, using foul language and bullying others. There needs to be a real Christian male Leader that can identify with them and show them the proper way. Kids struggle with the homework load . Teaching is being left to the parents since the kids spend too much time doing extra curricular activities.The Spanish program is not being given the importance that it needs and kids are not learning anything . When we got here , we were very forgiving to the fact that there is no Gym, no Chapel, not a strong academic level and not enough room for new students because our hopes were mainly based on Christian Principles . We are concerned on how they are insisting on growing rather quickly , not listening to parents and shutting down any Board meetings so parents can be heard. They also have a pretty bad Sports Program but Management seems to dismiss the concerned parents that want their children to excel. The school doesn't inform the parents or the teachers where the raised money is being allocated. We would say 80% of the parents we speak with are very unhappy due to the level of zero communication and disorganization growing at an unprecedented rate. The school needs a major facelift as well as to get rid of the troubled children/families that are affecting the good ones left (Alcohol and Divorce problems run rampant ) . They need to ask what families want and take it to heart. Board meetings need to happen with the parents in an ongoing bases instead of being disregarded. We are trying to figure out how to homeschool our children as this school was our last glimpse of hope. We will give it another year in hopes the new Head of School changes things around.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2022

Having been to multiple other private faith-based schools in the area, this is the first school where we have felt the holy spirit! The teachers truly love each child and know their heart. Seeing the huge learning gap caused by covid, these amazing teachers are helping kids make up for that lost education, while also challenging those who are ready to move ahead. Having a child who is academically strong, my daughter was bored at previous schools. She loves Hillcrest so much for finally tapping into her spirit and love of God as well as allowing her to blossom academically. I couldn't imagine my kids at any other school!
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2022

This school not only met our expectations but has surely exceeded them! When they call it a Christian school they mean a Christian school. Biblical values are at the forefront of all their endeavors. Seeking the Lord in everything that the administration is doing is what's happening every day and it is perhaps an understatement to say that the entire staff is continuously in prayers for the students... If a school is working for Christ Jesus, everything else (academic, athletic, spiritual, etc.) is naturally done right and well!
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2022

We love Hillcrest Christian School. The Holly Spirit is hovering over the school and we definitely feel God is moving as the new pastor is making a huge impact in the school ; however, he needs to be allowed to lead the youth more as they are struggling with their faith ( or lack of) .The students are using profanity and very ungodly behavior amongst both girls and boys since a very young age. There is no Leadership and lots of secrecy going around; therefore, staff members as well as families are feeling left out, let down and disconnected. Many staff members are not true Christians and don't have a heart for God so they need to be removed. Overall, there are a few compassionate, caring teachers but they need to feel their opinions and concerns matter and that their voices count or they will continue leaving. A concerning amount of good individuals have already left . HCS school is not being able to retain their new hires. Parents have asked for monthly meetings with the Board Members as no one seems to know who they are but the concerns are being dismissed. The amount of parents coming in and out of the school should be a concern for the Principal and Board Members that act like it is not a big deal and continue growing at a fast pace ignoring the issues. Personal appearance and proper uniform should be strictly enforced. Teenagers look very unkept and some girls have revealing uniforms and clothes' ( starting at a very young age) . Mothers of students also wear very inappropriate short dresses. The Sport's Program lack leadership, organization and experience. They need to be lead by a person with major athletic skills and vision so the athletic children decide to stick around. Physical Education is not being taken seriously . The coaches spend most of their time on their phones and there is lack of direction. Kids shouldn't dictate what they want to do. They should obey authority. When a school grows too rapidly, it significantly increases the demands on each individual teacher/student, and on the school as a whole. Teachers have classes that are too big and parents are being ignored when discussing such matters. Teachers have voiced their dislike as well to be turned down. This is the big elephant in the room . We are in desperate need of a new leader because as of now there is none and very concerned parents are stating they won't stick around the way is being run. This school has so much potential if lead the right way.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2022

We have been very happy with the experience our children have had at this school. The community is similar to what you would find anywhere else, a mix of good and bad. The classroom experience in elementary seems to be better than that of middle school and high school.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2022

Hillcrest Christian is a GREAT school that puts God first in everything they do.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2022

Fantastic School. Amazing administration, loving faculty, caring staff. So blessed to partner with this great school!
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

We have been at Hillcrest for 14 years it’s such a blessings having our children in a Christ centered school. We couldn't be more grateful and blessed It’s the best choice for our family.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

Great school with a strong basis on faith and education. My kids are academically much stronger in reading, writing and math in just 2 years at Hillcrest then they ever were at public school and their love for God is even stronger.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

We absolutely love HCS. We plan on staying all the way through HS. Our Child has learned so much and is thriving here. We absolutely love all the staff and teachers. Its been such a great experience and a great place for learning and fellowship.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

We absolutely love this school. Our children are thriving here and we are so happy we found it.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

Best School ever. My son loves his school.