Hill Elementary School

Posted: March 3, 2023

I am a happy parents at Hill. Though, one major problem is homework. Me and my family feel that homework shouldn't be needed in elementary school. Children maybe be stressed, or may just not feel confident doing it themselves. One other problem is the school is majorly crowded, and the lunchrooms are really loud and and messy. I've seen lunch monitors put the table cleaner on the floor and re-use it. Other then that, this school is great and the teachers are really interactive.

Posted: March 3, 2023

Posted: March 3, 2023

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Posted: January 16, 2022

Posted: January 16, 2022

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Posted: January 16, 2022

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Posted: January 16, 2022

Posted: January 16, 2022

Hill School far exceeds most expectations of a large school in an urban district. The administration (principal and AP’s) are highly qualified, responsive, transparent and are effective leaders. This trickles form to the phenomenal teachers, food service providers, custodians, librarians, etc. We could not be happier at Hill and we are picky parents!

Posted: January 10, 2020

Although Hill, like all schools, is not perfect, our children have had very positive experiences. Their personal and intellectual growth over the 2.5 years they have been at Hill has been astounding. The enrichment programs are excellent.

Posted: January 10, 2020

There is too much homework in fourth grade and it requires a lot of parental involvement. Studies show that homework barely serves any purpose until children are in 5th grade.

Posted: January 10, 2020

As for our main teachers, we have had four outstanding teachers, one decent teacher, and one teacher who wasn't a great fit. We are very happy with the essential areas teachers.

Posted: January 10, 2020

Our kids have gotten a lot out of the social and emotional learning module at Hill. The school counselors are very proactive.

Posted: January 10, 2020

Very responsive. My only complaint is a lack of emphasis on diversity and social justice issues.

Posted: January 10, 2020

Posted: January 10, 2020

I believe the administration, counselors and teachers try hard to address bullying issues, but sometimes, they think a single conversation with someone exhibiting bullying is enough to stop the problem.

Posted: November 15, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019

Posted: November 15, 2019

My son and daughter attended Hill, ten years apart. Both had excellent experiences. The leadership and teachers have always been very good and care about the outcome students. But what makes Hill special is parental involvement. Parents care and volunteer countless hours to make the school a wonderful place for little ones to learn, grow and develop.

Posted: March 1, 2019

I would rate this school as 10 out of 10

Posted: March 1, 2019

Posted: March 1, 2019

Satisfied with staff, teachers, principal and environment overall.my kid love going to this school.

Posted: March 1, 2019

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Posted: February 12, 2019

They do their best to give each student effective learning strategies.

Posted: February 12, 2019

The SEL program seems very effective in teaching students non violent communication skills.

Posted: February 12, 2019

Both Principal Newton and Principal Drummond lead the students and staff as well as parents to be their best.

Posted: February 12, 2019

Posted: February 12, 2019

Posted: February 12, 2019

I give a 5 star because we have had a very positive experience with Principals, Staff, Teachers and students. This is a very loving community and the parent involvement is high.

Posted: February 12, 2019

They tailor the homework to the needs of the children.

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

The leadership at this school is terrible. The school "appears" to be great, but has numerous problems.

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 19, 2017

Posted: January 12, 2017

My son has been in attendance since he was in the PreK program. He is now in the 5th grade and we absolutely love the 5th grade set up! Teachers are amazing, the separate building gives them a sense of independence, and the middle school prep is great. The parent involvement is great as well.

The negatives:
WAY TOO CROWDED! Word got out and now it's full of crummy portables-it's almost at 1,000 students! It was 550 when my child started at Hill!

Increase in non-Austin natives. To us true Austinites you'll understand. Nobody waves or smiles at you like they did 3 years ago. The new housing brought more Dallasites and it shows. Many of the great long term teachers are retired or in admin positions.

It was such a great school but it's just like any other overpopulated AISD elementary school. Not sure why people buy in this area-middle and high school are terrible!!!

Posted: September 25, 2016

Hill Elementary is a indeed a GREAT school. My daughter is brilliant and is doing an AMAZING job.

Posted: April 2, 2016

Principal Newton is an incredible leader, and she hires great teachers! We are very happy at Hill!

Posted: April 2, 2016

Posted: April 2, 2016

We don't believe in homework in elementary school, so we could do without it! Most people would likely say that there isn't too much homework.

Posted: April 2, 2016

Posted: May 28, 2014

Hill elemtary is Awesome sauce like my kid's say, I have two 2nd graders now going to 3rd grade Thanks to the Great Teachers. Nice and Welcoming office staff, And let's not forget all the Great Volunteers, And the people behind the scenes maintenance/janitors.. We will miss this Great School. Hope to see everyone soon. Love The Capetillo Family

Posted: March 4, 2013

This is a wonderful school that has great attention to its students. The programs are challenging, the community strong, and the atmosphere conducive to great learning. The teachers are excellent in every way. Way to go, Hill!

Posted: May 2, 2012

Hill is a great school!! We are so lucky that our child gets to go to the best school in Austin. Although my child is not in special education, the special education teacher often goes out of his way to provide advice to me and to help my child learn. He is amazing!!!!!!!

Posted: April 30, 2012

Although this is not our home school, we chose to put our son in the Pre-k program there. The teachers are great and the parents are VERY involved. My son has a speech issue (articulation). The speech therapist is amazing. My son s speech improved much in his year there. I would definitely recommend the school!

Posted: July 17, 2011

Ok, so I have been reading the past four reviews (sounds like the 'learning disability' review was written by a parent who was demanding too much out of a public school) and I disagree!!!! If a child has severe learning disorders, put them into a special school that helps to work with their problem. You can't expect a public school to fix that problem. The two June reviews written back to back was obviously written by a parent of a child who got in trouble for bad behavior. They are trying to justify it by writing 2 bad reviews back to back. Not to be mean, but check out the literacy on the June 1st review. That's all I'm saying. I moved from Crestview neighborhood to put my child here, and we were so pleased with his writing/reading skills in just a matter of a few months!! We love the Principals!!! The parent-teacher involvement is amazing! If you're a parent trying to send your kid here, and not care about their schooling, go elsewhere! They do NOT tolerate bad behavior/fighting! It's amazing!!!!!! Gullett, Brentwood, Wooten, Lamar, McCallum, Austin High-horrible because of the influx of transfers. Hill does not have alot of transfers. It makes a HUGE difference!

Posted: June 1, 2011

I Love this school but... some staff I find like to demote my kid's self respect.

Posted: May 31, 2011

this is one of the worst elementaries in every way posible that you can think off.i can not believe that it is rated ''10'' that's a big lie.it shoul be a 1 .we had a lot of bad experiences in this horrible elementary.kids say bad words in front of the teachers,there is no homework,teachers have no work ethic,etc.

Posted: March 22, 2011

Hill is good for students in the "norm". I agree with a recently posted review in that Hill does not cater to students who have learning disabilities. Our son has ADHD, as do so many other children, and the staff at Hill was unable to cope with that. Our daughter is at the other end of the spectrum, and is bored with what is being done in the classroom -- the classroom environment is not flexible enough, because of the large class size (25 kids with 1 teacher in Kindergarten!), to be able to challenge students who are doing well. Our discussions with the staff and teachers have always ended up with them telling us that "this is public school, and that they do not have the time and people to accommodate outside the norms". And, the counselor is not helpful nor caring. Again, Hill is great if your child does not require any special educational accommodations. We are moving our children to a smaller private school with a better teacher-to-student ratio and a more personalized learning experience.

Posted: March 21, 2011

This school is great if your child DOESN'T have a learning disability like a moderate form of dyslexia, they act like they have never heard of dyslexia & do not have a plan in place to teach a dyslexic child to read! They don't have a diagnostician full time, nor do they have any current dyslexic specialist! Ten to fifteen percent of the US population has dyslexia, and Hill acts like they missed those stats! They (the Hill staff) expect the parent to know what questions to ask & how their child should be taught when the average parent has no experience in this! I can only imagine how many poor kids are falling through the cracks! I have talked with a number of other parents that have LEFT HILL b/c of the lack of resources & interest in helping their dyslexic child!

Posted: February 5, 2011

We have been nothing but pleased with all teachers and staff. The principal is very receptive to parents and always seems present at all activities. Our experience has been a good one and we will have another kindergartner starting next year. We are lucky to attend Hill and have many friends that are looking to move into our area, for the school alone!

Posted: November 10, 2010

Ok, ok, everyone has there own opinion on a school, and how their child fits into the school's flow. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this place!!!! Austin only has a handful of great public schools left (Hill, Highland Park, Westlake, Lake Travis, and Leander), and we landed in a great one! My son started the PreK program and already is advanced with writing and reading skills! The school staff is AMAZING, the parent involvement is superb, this school is great. They are very involved with getting children to excel to the highest point possible, and yes (duh!) they want their school to be top rated, which it IS!!!!!!!!! Check out those scores from 2010! They have a zero tolerance policy, which is the best idea ever, we want our schools safe! I love this place, and hope it stays amazing for a long time!

Posted: August 22, 2010

Very good teachers who seem to care, the principal seems more concerned with social climbing than with the students though.

Posted: May 26, 2010

Mostly good teachers, a few who don't belong in an elementary school. New principal is annoying, doesn't seem to know what she's doing, after a year still isn't very familiar with the school. Packed classrooms and not a lot of resources. For a public school, a decent school, but we're not as impressed as some of the other reviewers.

Posted: April 25, 2010

Great teachers and staff- Friendly environment- Involved PTA - Good kids

Posted: April 15, 2010

Best teachers, best kids, best all-around school in the area!

Posted: April 15, 2010

The teachers, the staff, the kids - I love it all!

Posted: April 15, 2010

Because my grandchildren go to Hill and love it - there is art, music and physical exercise, plus great teachers who love their students!

Posted: April 14, 2010

This entire school...from principal to teachers...love these students. They set up special opportunities for them to have social and learning times with the entire community of parents, children, and teachers...always fun times for learning and working together. The school culture supports a student-centered focus; rooms are engaging and fun; conversations are kind and supportive. This is the best example of America's schools...

Posted: March 28, 2010

Better than any of the private schools in Austin. This is the best elementary school in the city. From administration to staff to teachers to PTA, this school has it all. We've been at multiple elementary schools, and this one is head and shoulders above them all.

Posted: January 14, 2007