Our School

• Approved by Washington State Board of Education since 1969

• Approved by the NCAA

• 6,000 sq. ft. of classrooms, gym, and office on 5 acres of forest on Cougar Mountain

Our Graduates

Our graduates are accepted into top tier colleges and universities such as Harvard, Swarthmore, University of Chicago, Oberlin, MIT, Stanford, Whitman, Reed, and Bowdoin to name a few. Most importantly, our students emerge from Hillside as confident, active participants and leaders wherever they study.

Our Strengths

• Challenging academics that hone critical thinking skills

• Small classes of 3 – 13 students in which all students participate fully

• Focus on students’ individual gifts

• Honors distinctions may be earned in all classes in secondary school

• Rotating 3-week blocks provide truly in-depth studies for secondary students

• Individual counseling on appropriate courses and detailed references enhance students’ college applications

• Visual arts offered within the academic curriculum

• Public speaking skills gained through weekly drama classes, annual drama productions, and high school History Feast

• Promotion of unusual competence in science research skills, writing, foreign language and math, often noted by colleges receiving our students

• Skill based clubs that enrich our academic program and may be counted as credit towards graduation

• Participation in Running Start Program in 12th grade allows seniors to earn college credit

• Strong bond of community supports students’ education and lasts a lifetime

Our Curriculum

• Integrated, challenging core curriculum of science, math, English, history, foreign language study and art

• Core curriculum is balanced by elective choices

• Students are enrolled in math courses by level of achievement (not by grade level)

Our Staff

• • 11 teaching staff –1 to 5 ratio teacher – student ratio

  • 4 Washington State teaching certificates

  • 2 Artists in Residence Specialists

  • 9 Master’s Degrees

  • 1 Doctor of Philosophy Degree

  • 7 Teachers with over 5 years at Hillside Student Community

  • 4 support staff (technical and administrative)

Our Students

• • Approximately 50 students in grades 5-12 on an annual basis

  • Mix of honors students; students interested in writing, math, science, drama, fine arts; home schooled students seeking a community; competitive fencers – all of whom are excited about learning

  • 80% of our students participate in Running Start at the community college level in their senior year