Hillcrest High School (28Q505)

160-05 Highland Avenue, Queens, NY 11432, Queens
Phone: 718-658-5407
Hours: 8:00am - 3:50pm
School Website: https://www.hillcrestweb.com
NYCDOE Website: https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/28Q505/
Quality Snapshot: View snapshot
Building Access Profile: View profile
School Leader: Varun Rule-Pandey (vrulepandey@schools.nyc.gov)
Parent Coordinator: Esthefany Lopez (elopez89@schools.nyc.gov)
Respect for All Liaison: Catherine Jordan (cjordan3@schools.nyc.gov)
Sexual Harassment Prevention Liaison: Aneil Chattoo (achatto@schools.nyc.gov)
504 Coordinator: Janet Jackson (jjackso14@schools.nyc.gov)
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About

Hillcrest High School envisions an inclusive and vibrant learning environment that honors student diversity and fosters compassion, resilience, and community connection. Through student-centered learning, real-world experiences, and culturally responsive teaching, we empower all students to excel in college, 21st-century careers, and civic lifesupported by strong community ties and an enduring alumni network. At Hillcrest High School, our mission is to empower a diverse community of learners through personalized Small Learning Communities (SLCs), supported by dedicated counselors and advisors. We promote academic excellence, civic responsibility, and personal growth through comprehensive programs that include social-emotional learning, peer mentoring, and leadership development. Through rigorous and inclusive college and career pathways--including Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement, dual credit college courses, paid internships, and industry-recognized certifications such as EMT and CNAwe prepare students to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. Our commitment to bilingual education, cultural celebrations, and authentic community engagement reflects our belief that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and challenged. Through our seven Small Learning Communities, Hillcrest High School prepares students to thrive beyond graduation--equipped with real-world skills, a strong sense of identity, and the confidence to lead in college, careers, and their communities.

Reports: School Budget | PTA Financials | Room Utilization

Teachers with more than 3 years of experience: 92%

Academic Highlights: Personalized Learning in Small Communities: At Hillcrest, every student belongs to one of seven Small Learning Communities (SLCs), each led by a dedicated Director and Counselor. This structure ensures a tight-knit, personalized educational experience within a large and vibrant high school., Rich Extracurricular Life: With over 20 clubs including Robotics, LGBTQIA+, K-Pop, Mock Trial, and the Muslim Student Associationand 25+ varsity and JV sports teams, Hillcrest offers opportunities for every student to shine outside the classroom., College and Career Ready Pathways: Students can graduate with up to 24+ college credits through our Advanced Placement and College Now programs, and earn industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields like EMT, CNA, Software Engineering, Medical Lab Technology, and Teaching., Diverse, Inclusive, and Supportive Community: Hillcrest celebrates its cultural richness through bilingual programs, affinity groups, and heritage events all while fostering academic excellence, resilience, and real-world readiness in a safe and welcoming environment., Rigorous and Inclusive Academics: Our AP offerings include AP African American Studies, AP Computer Science A & Principles, AP Psychology, and AP Research/Capstone, empowering students to explore interests deeply while building college-level skills.

Other Features: 10th Grade Seats Available, Career and Technical Education (CTE), College Courses Offered, College Courses onsite, College Trips, Community Service Expected, Computer Science Coursework, Expert College and Career Advisor On Staff, Financial Literacy Coursework, FutureReadyNYC School, Internships, LYFE (Living For The Young Family Through Education), Paid Apprenticeships, Paid Internships, Program(s) with 1 GE Applicant Per Seat, Program(s) with 1 SWD Applicant Per Seat, Summer Bridge

English Language Learner Programs: Transitional Bilingual Education: Bengali, Spanish

School Features:

  • CTE Endorsement
  • Audition Offered
  • Offers 10th Grade Seats
  • Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, Bilingual Guidance Counselors

Upcoming Events

AP Courses, Languages, Sports, Art
AP Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History...[more]
Course List
View Courses
Languages Offered
French, Spanish
ELL Programs
Transitional Bilingual Education: Bengali, Spanish
Diploma Endorsements
Arts, CTE, NYS Seal of Biliteracy
Boys PSAL Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL Sports
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Co-ed PSAL Sports
Cricket, Golf
PSAL Team
Hillcrest
Other Sports
Cheerleading, Fitness, Yoga
Clubs
ACTIVITIES My Brother's Keeper, Anime Club, Book Club, Cheerleading Club, Coding Club, Debate Team, Dungeons & Dragons Club, FDNY Explorers Club, French Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)...[more]
Art Courses
Chorus/Singing, Design and Applied Arts, Exploring Music, Music Industry & Contemporary Music, Orchestra/Strings, Theater Literacy, Theater Making/Performance, Theater Production, Traditional and Studio Art
Arts Summary
Chancellor's EndorsedTheater Track -Exposure to producing, directing, writing and performing as well as technical aspects of theatre including lighting, sound and set design. -Opportunities to perform in different settings: plays, musicals, open mic nights, the Winter and Spring Festival of the Arts and Thespian Show. -Partnership with the LeAp arts program providing an intensive playwriting residency that engages students in storytelling and creative expression. -APVA students have participated in competitions all over New York City including the August Wilson Monologues, National Shakespeare Competition, and LEAP's playwriting competition. Chancellor'sEndorsed Visual Arts Track -Four year art track for advanced students -Portfolio 1 and 2 immerses students in a broad range of media including collage, printmaking, drawing, painting and sculpture -Portfolio 3 and 4 expands on students' skills sets and knowledge with opportunities to work on large-scale projects using a broader array of materials -Graphic design and independent study offered during the 11th and 12th grades -Advanced Placement 2D Portfolio -Art Regents Music Track Overview -First year - Music History and Performance Level 1&2 -Second Year - Beginning Band and Orchestra / Chorus -Third Year - Intermediate / Advanced Band or Orchestra / Chorus -Fourth Year - Intermediate / Advanced Band or Orchestra / Chorus -Music Electives: Core Music 1&2 (Two Semesters) Music Theory 1&2 (Two Semesters) AP Music Theory 1&2 (Two Semesters) Keyboard 1&2 (Two Semesters)
Program Details
Academy of Performing and Visual Arts(Q24L)
Visual Art & Design, Performing Arts/Visual Art & Design

The Hillcrest Academy of Performing and Visual Arts offers a rigorous four-year program comprising three distinct tracks: theater, music, and visual arts. Each track features a diverse range of courses, including acting, technical theater, AP 2-D Art, graphic design, orchestra, and marching band, among others, fostering proficiency in various art forms. Throughout the year, students have numerous opportunities to showcase their talents in various settings. Additionally, Hillcrest facilitates partnerships with arts organizations, encouraging students to participate in internships and summer programs. Theater students, in particular, work alongside these partners to enhance their understanding of all aspects of production. Upon fulfilling the requirements of the theater and visual arts tracks, students graduate with a Chancellor's Endorsed Arts Diploma.

10th Grade seats available

Method:
Requirement:
Students are ranked by the school based on their auditions. Offers are made in priority group and rank order.
Priority:
  • (Group 1) New York City residents

Applicant Analysis
2024-252023-24
GE applicants/seats:47 / 63 (0.75)77 / 84 (0.92)
SWD applicants/seats:10 / 12 (0.83)22 / 16 (1.38)
Rank Avg: 6.05
OffersOffers - Waitlist
School Student & Admissions Statistics
School Year
2024-25
2023-24
2022-23
Total Students Across All Grades
2,352
2,322
2,387
    Grade 12 Students
381
424
619
    Grade 11 Students
546
592
514
    Grade 10 Students
553
556
622
    Grade 9 Students
872
750
632
Avg. Class Size
25.1
25.1
24.5
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
15.1
15.7
16.0
Safety Comp. / Susp. / NYPD
12 / 0 / 62
57 / 99 / 68
33 / 38 / 48
Attendance %
86%
88%
Graduation %
84%
87%
College %
62%
59%
Total Applicants / Seats
Total Offers
2,565 (451) / 695
478
2,316 (496) / 730
517
2,348 (589) / 730
577
Survey Summary & Data (2024-25)
Student Responses 74% responded
Academic Rigor 
  74.17%
Academic Engagement 
  65.27%
Safety 
  66.38%
Bully Prevention 
  62.63%
Inclusivity 
  75.45%
Mental Support 
  72.63%
Environment 
  66.93%
Post-School Support 
  75.20%
Teacher Responses 68% responded
Academic Rigor 
  79.00%
School Satisfaction 
  88.50%
Student Behavior 
  62.67%
Student Support 
  92.53%
School Leadership 
  97.93%
Instructional Clarity 
  93.00%
Instructional Development 
  89.28%
Post-School Support 
  96.50%
Family Responses 59% responded
Education 
  89.50%
Teacher Support 
  82.67%
Safety 
  81.00%
School Community 
  65.38%
School Leadership 
  84.10%
Post-School Support 
  89.50%
IEP Support 
  96.33%

Note: Yellow bars indicate city-wide averages for the associated category

View Full NYC DOE Survey Results:

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's yearly school surveys: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/nyc-school-survey

Academic Summary & Data (2023-24)
Academic Proficiency
4-Year Grad. %
  84.80%
CC Regents
  58
Non-CC Regents
  66
Impact Score
  0.51
Performance Score
  0.46
College Aptitude
CCR
  44.60%
SAT Math
  420
SAT R/W
  441
Postsecondary
2-Year College 25.10%
4-Year College 37.10%
Other Postsecondary 0.30%
Unknown 37.50%

View Full Academic Data:

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's yearly quality reports: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/school-quality-reports-and-resources

School Demographics (2024-25)
Student Population:
Male 48.90%
Female 51.00%
Other 0.10%
English Language Learners:
  25.80%
Students with Disabilities:
  11.70%
Economic Need Index: 
  83.30%
Student Ethnicity:
Asian 27.40%
Black 24.10%
Hispanic 39.20%
White 3.00%
Other 6.30%
Teacher Ethnicity:
Asian 22.50%
Black 15.20%
Hispanic 12.60%
White 47.70%
Other 2.00%
IEP Statistics (2023-24)
IEP Services
Students with IEPs
  11.20%
Students with SETSS
  0.30%
Students with ICT
  4.90%
Students with SC
  3.70%
Has all programs
  96.00%
Has all services
  97.00%
IEP Student Performance
Regents English
  67
Regents Gl. Hist.
  63
Regents US Hist.
  64
Regents Algebra I
  55
Regents Living Env.
  50
4-Year Grad. Rate
  79.2
IEP Movement
Excellent
IEP Support 
  96.33%
Special Education Programs & Services (2024-25)
ProgramFully ReceivingPartially ReceivingNot Receiving
Integrated Co-Teaching Services133 (94%)>5 (?)<=5 (?)
SETSS11 (100%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
Special Class100 (89%)>5 (?)<=5 (?)
ServiceFully ReceivingPartially ReceivingNot Receiving
Counseling Services112 (95%)N/A (N/A)6 (5%)
Counseling Services Bilingual<=5 (100%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
Occupational Therapy>5 (92%)N/A (N/A)<=5 (8%)
Speech-Language Therapy>5 (96%)N/A (N/A)<=5 (4%)
Speech-Language Therapy Bilingual<=5 (40%)<=5 (20%)<=5 (40%)
TransportationNumber Receiving
Curb to School18 (78%)
Stop to School<=5 (?)
Unassigned<=5 (?)

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's Special Education Reports: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/government-reports/special-education-reports

ELL Performance (2023-24)
Regents English
  45
Regents Gl. Hist.
  64
Regents US Hist.
  61
Regents Algebra I
  54
Regents Living Env.
  53
4-Year Grad. Rate
  67.1
ELL Progress
  63
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