Playground Our extensive play area offers a wide variety of physical and social activities. Equipment has been placed in our natural setting within the valley so children can appreciate the natural elements around them as they change through the seasons. Students use their imagination as they play on our pirate ship, build castles on beach-like sand areas, climb the spider net or explore the many challenging play structures. Safety and supervision are always our first priority.

Music Daily musical activities are carefully designed to help the children develop motor, auditory and rhythmic skills. Group participation, imaginative expression and building of self-esteem are naturally incorporated into the musical experience. Unique songs, school wide music circles and day-to-day programming provide endless opportunities for fun and laughter. Our exceptional music team includes Greg Diakun, Fraida Laiken and renowned children’s performer, Kayla, who has been at Hillcrest school for nearly 30 years. Our music team provides a fun and stimulating music experience for everyone in our Hillcrest family. 

Sign Language Teaching sign language to hearing young children can improve their early communications and boost the children's learning of language. Our ASL (American Sign Language) instructor, Susan Javier, is skilled in the language and its use to enhance learning in subject areas like reading, spelling, social studies, music, science and even math. Learning basic ASL can support subject content by defining concepts and aiding memory.

Physical Activity Dash Sports offers an education based sports program utilizing specialized sporting equipment and exercises combined with creativity and positive teaching methods. The excitement of popular ball games such as basketball, soccer, hockey and baseball is brought to life with Dash Sports. Students develop confidence, coordination, motor skills and team spirit through their participation. This program takes place once a week. Children also participate in daily physical activity outside on our playground facilities. 

Gymnastics Hillcrest offers SK students an opportunity to participate in an out-of-class gymnastics program that provides children with many physical, cognitive and psychological benefits. Children will experience increased muscular strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, discipline and self control.

Art Planned and implemented by our experienced teachers, the varied activities are designed to maximize creativity and self-expression and are coordinated with the themes children are learning about in the classroom. A wide array of materials and media are used for this program. 

Baking Children in our Full-Day programs have the opportunity to participate in baking sessions with Caroline Davis at her facility Two Moms Baked Goods - Safe Snacks. Caroline shares her love of baking through her kids cooking classes. Children learn measurement skills, cooperation and healthy eating habits.   

Field Trips Children participate in a variety of field trips throughout the year to extend our classroom learning. Trips allow us to follow through with themes, interact with the community and generally allow for a more complete learning experience.  As safety is always o ur first priority, we may request parental assistance with supervision of the children.  Teachers will send a note home in advance of the trip advising of the date, time and destination.  Some trips that have taken place in the past include the fire station, library, farm, and Pioneer Village.

Science Program Science is offered to students in JK and SK. The program delivers unique, hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational. The program encourages scientific literacy for children in an age when science is as vital as reading, writing and arithmetic.