Hillcrest Drive Elementary School in Burbank, California

“I reluctantly admitted my 3rd grade daughter to Hillcrest, after West Angeles Christian Academy closed its doors. I was hoping that maybe she could survive there at least one school year, while I applied for a magnet school. She was VERY excited to start school, but on her first day when she returned home, her attitude towards school changed dramatically. When asked how her first day went, her response was, 'Mommy all the kids call each other the 'N-word' and they curse at each other and say other words we're not supposed to use.' Now I understand that the teachers cannot regulate everything, but that was just too much for me to bear. After that experience, along with a couple of others, I switched her to a charter school a week later. And I don't regret it!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hillcrest is a great school. The 1st grade teachers work hard with the students and are clearly invested in their success. They care about their students' progress. Also, the Math, Literacy Coaches and school counselors seem to give 110%. The administration is friendly and approachable and have good control. The principal. MS. Smith is no-nonsense while still maintaining a good relationship with students and staff.”
This review was posted by a other.

“My daughter started at Hillcrest DR. 2 years ago. She is in the 3rd grade now. My son who is now in the 9th grade, attended Hillcrest DR from kindergarten to 5th grade. Both of my children were pleased to be at Hillcrest DR. I, as a parent am pleased to have my daughter attend the same school as her brother, once did. Mrs. Smith, the Principal, is doing a great job, along with her team members. It take team members working together, on the same page , make positive things happen. It's not always the area of the school, it is the teachers, who make a school worth attending. Not all teachers, I can say that for.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hillcrest elementary is starting to pick up steam, the leadership is looking a little better now, the grounds are clean and in order, school security makes sure kids are where they susposed to be. The music magnet teacher is awesome, have recieved many recognition awards from the city. Parents need to be more involved with the school.Dicipline needs to be focused on more by the parent than the teachers, I saw that some of the teachers were wasting valuable classroom time on discipline than education. Overall my kids loved their teachers, and the school. Go Hillcrest Go. 10/30/2007”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hillcrest has all the necessary academic programs in place and even has the added benefit of a Music Magnet. With all the right ingredients, one has to wonder why the school is not on the right track. Hillcrest lacks instructional leadership. The school is clean and routines are in place, but the overall focus is on what children can't do therefore Hillcrest's students don't achieve.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school principal has based her entire time to discipline in which has shows the reflections on the scores our kids our receiving. I do understand why she has focused so much on discipline due to the fact of the enviornment that the school is located in.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think this is a pretty good school especially compared to the reviews I have read about other local schools. maybe I have just been lucky that my kids have had extremely wonderful teachers, ms davis, ms soberal mr. bennett and ms martin. although I do agree with some of the parents that the higher authority is a little too strict, military almost. and my children have too often came home complaining to be hungry. I would tell them you need to eat all your lunch and had thought it was their fault but felt bad when I had the chance to actually see how a lunch gathering went the children literally sat down and had probably 2to3 minutes to eat, no one can eat enough in that little time. it was rediculous and upsetting to watch. some kids eat lunch at 1030am which is too early I hope this changes”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am disappointed with the leadership at this school. My child has attended this school for the past three years. I am removing my child from this school, because this school year the school has become a school where the children run the school and leadership and learning is missing. My child will not return to this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I love this school its great, the teachers are very caring and they work with the parents as well to make sure the kids understand the work, I think the music magnet is good , I'm moving and I hate that I have to take my son out.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a parant of two girls who have attended HDE since Fall 2003. My oldest daughter started kindergarten at this time, while my youngest daughter started pre-K. My daughters have also been enrolled in the afterschool program called LAsBEST at HDE since Fall 2003. The school is located in an area where there are many single parent households and a culture of gang, drugs, and violence. Once the children make it on the campus the principal and staff of HDE try their best to ensure safety of the children from the problems in the neigborhood. These problems include police activity which causes school lockdowns several times a school year. The school is a year round school which may create a small amount of disconnect for returning students and leaving students who may be on a two month vacation in the middle of the traditional school year. The school is improving.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hillcrest School is located in a BAD area. However, the teachers, parents and the principal focus on keeping our children safe and teaching them to reach and write. I remember when Hillcrest was a dirty school and the police where there every day. I was suprised to return to the school and find a clean, safe school with the focus on student learning. I see the children reading on the yard in the morning and I enjoy attending the monthly awards assemblies were parents are invited to see their children getting awards for reading, math, and behavior. My child will often tell me the her school is the best. I send a special thanks to the staff at Hillcrest for teaching our children and keeping them safe.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I like the way the children begin their day. Each morning the children are asked 'Why did they come to school today?' The child always say 'To learn!' I think this helps children understanding that school is a place to learn. Keep up the good work Hillcrest staff.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Hillcrest Drive Elementary is a great school. I was glad to met the principal and my child's teacher. The school is concerned about student learning. I am glad to have my child enrolled at Hillcrest.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school, caring teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My experience with this school has not been a pleasurable one. Fortunately, my children have had good teachers while attending Hillcrest Drive Elem., however; the overall focus at the school, in my opinion, is not placed on academics but placed on discipline. I understand how important it is to have well behaved students and I commend them on their efforts, but some of the tactics that are used in this school are more along the lines of scare tactics rather than educational ones. The focus of the school needs to be placed back on educating the students and finding ways to bring the schools overall test scores up. The afterschool program at this school is wonderful, and I encourage the staff of the afterschool program to keep up the good work.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This was the first school my children attended moving to L.A. it was not very good at all in a bad area and no extracurricular activities. The teacher qulity was awful they didnt show much interest in the students at all. This was my worst experience at any school my kids have attended.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is very militeristic. Quiet zone for eating. Time out on the dot for students who misbehave, sometimes the entire class is on the dot. Special Ed students are left out of school wide activities. Principal is very autoritarian and teachers do not work as a team. When the principal does not like you, you become the scapegoat.”
This review was posted by a teacher.