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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy combines a unique blend of classical Christian education in a rural American setting yet with a dynamic multicultural student body. A dormitory in a community this size is quite unique and provides a tremendous opportunity for a quality, Bible-based education.

Personally, the greatest things that happened in my time at Hillcrest were fully committing my life to Christ (picking up my cross and following Him) and meeting my wife with whom I’ve raised a family in that same faith I came to in my time at Hillcrest.

My greatest regret has been that I haven’t been as much of an advocate for Hillcrest, or Christian schools like it, in my time when I was there or I now. The number of people I’ve come across who have shared that their high school experience was traumatic and/or that the faith they thought they had in their youth was lost in their time in college or later, makes me just plain sad. Hillcrest, and true Bible teaching schools like it, provides a strong foundation for the beliefs of her Christian students, and a memorable experience with lifelong friends.

The commitment to Biblically sound Christian education and the academic rigor.

Take the opportunity to get to know the teachers and staff. They are honestly the greatest people you will ever meet and will form the ideal of how you will want to live out your faith when you are older.

The academic rigor at HLA is enough of a challenge to more than adequately prepare students for post-secondary education, yet reasonable enough to allow students to participate in the many extracurricular programs the school offers. Graduates from Hillcrest are often recognized as among the most well prepared students in the schools they move on to in college, and their Christian faith apologetics prepare them to not only hold on to their faith through that next stage, but to search out ways to continue to grow and live out their faith in college and into adulthood. A majority of the teachers at Hillcrest hold their masters degree which allows them to offer a large number of college level courses, with college credit, while still in high school.

I enjoyed much in learning the sports I played as well as experiencing much success. The football and boys basketball programs have participated in the state tournament several times and other sports are experiencing more winning seasons lately, as well. Probably my most memorable times in sports at Hillcrest, though, were learning from Godly men (and women) coaches, not only how to play the sports well but to strive to be a good husband , father, and leader in adulthood.

Hillcrest provides many opportunities in the arts—some I admit to not knowing a lot about. The concert choir, orchestra, band, and drama offerings are excellent. There is also a long tenured, adored art teacher that teaches the art classes, including pottery, which has produced many accomplished artists over the years.

Hillcrest provides several clubs through a well organized club program that connects students to service opportunities and other clubs that provide opportunities the traditional sports do not. The list is too long to mention them all here, but a couple of examples are a chess club and an outdoors/hiking club

I never had the opportunity or need to live in the dorms but have known many students over the years who have. Hillcrest provides a fun, safe environment for students to live and thrive in their time away from home. Many alumni, for generations, have looked back on their time in the Hillcrest dorms as a core, formative time in their lives. There is great, Godly mentoring by the dean staff, and it is nearly impossible to not make at least one lifelong friend when living in the Hillcrest dorms.

Hillcrest provides a wide menu of food options at the Union Cafe. It is well prepared and healthy. Also, one time per month, Hillcrest arranges for the dorm students to visit the homes of local families (of current or former Hillcrest students) for a home cooked meal around a table in a family setting.

Hillcrest is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, a town of 14,000-15,000 people situated in the heart of the county with the most lakes (over 1000) in the Land of 10,000 lakes. It is a beautiful town with several options for shopping for necessities and different food options. There are also many well cared for parks which makes it easy to enjoy the natural surroundings. Not far away are located larger communities of Fargo, ND and Minneapolis, MN for occasional trips for more shopping needs or other fun excursions that the dean staff plans throughout the year.

The social aspect is one of the greatest differentiators at Hillcrest. Virtually all the students are there for the same reason—to learn and grow in their Christian faith in a community of like minded believers. This makes the campus extra special. Everyone looks out for each other and the inevitable disagreements among high school students are often settled in mutual respect for each party involved. It is a great place to meet people from a diverse set of backgrounds (from 5+ countries and 4+ continents) each and every year.