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Hillside houses an exemplary and award winning middle school which presently serves students and their families in grade six through eight. Hillside is also a community-use facility for the following programs: Northville Parks and Recreation, Northville Education Association, Northville Schools Food Services and Educational Technology and two satellite special education programs for Old Village School.

Improving students ability to understand mathematical concepts, encouraging students to engage in healthy choices and life long wellness activities, and promoting a positive learning environment where caring is fashionable are the goals of the school improvement team at Hillside.

Hillside has a rich tradition of activities past and present which have contributed to our school pride and making caring fashionable. Highlights are the Annual Senior Citizens Prom which has been held at Hillside for the past eleven years. The Annual Fine Arts Extravaganza each Fall attracts community members to celebrate our students work in the Elective Department. Service Learning projects like Bridgepointe “Kids Against Hunger” , OMINI International, Wolverine Human Services, Civic Concern, Relay for Life, Wigs for Kids, Red Cross Blood Drive, Service to Soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan, and Operation Good Cheer have become part of our school culture. Hillside continues to work on school climate through initiative such as “Challenge Day”, “Lunch Bunch”, Hillside Heroes in the Hallway, sixth grade Conflict Resolution, support groups and peer conflict mediation.

Hillside has an award winning staff that continues to provide innovative opportunities for kids like the Hillside Woodlands Project, Robofest, Animal Docent Program and the Salmon in the Classroom Project. Over the years Hillside staff have received awards and Recognition for the Wayne County Teacher of the Year, American Legion Teacher of the Year, Michigan State Teacher of the Year, Michigan Principal of the Year, Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, FMF Master Teacher Program, Fulbright CSSN, Fulbright Hayes, National Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Toyota Tapestry Awards, and the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators Team Awards.

Hillside distinguishes itself with several innovative programs and partnerships including the Animal Room and Frog Nursery, Hillside Woodlands Reclamation Project, Lawrence Tech/ Hillside Robofest, and the Community Financial Student Run Credit Union. In the past, Hillside students raised exotic amphibians and have successfully bred the Surinam Toad and Chinese Fire Belly Toad. Some of these amphibians have been donated and are on display at the Detroit Zoo. Currently students in seventh grade are raising salmon to be released this spring into the Rouge River Water Shed. Amerman Elementary and Hillside have partnered with outside groups to develop the woodlands area at Hillside to make the area a haven for wild birds and native species. Hillside and Lawrence Technological Institute hosted the seventh Annual Robofest Robotics Competition at Hillside this year. Community Financial and Hillside Middle school cooperate each year and have established a student run Credit Union.

Hillside has also forged a successful partnership with parents which has become an integral part of Hillside’s Success. More than 400 parents volunteer their time for various programs from monitoring lunchtime activities through the P.A.S.S.S. program to helping with the PTSA and Academic team activities. Approximately 90 percent of Hillside parents participate in Hillside Parent-Teacher Conferences each year.

Hillside Middle School staff includes a Principal, Assistant Principal, twenty three general education teachers, 12 elective teachers, a media specialist and two guidance counselors. Hillside student services include three special education teachers, two learning consultants, an academic resource teacher, a school psychologist, a social worker and a speech and language teacher.

Principal Jim Cracraft is in his 10th year as Principal at HMS. He is a participant in the Fulbright M aster Teacher Programs Collaborative School Science Network, Network of Michigan Educators, 2008 MASSP Principal of the Year, 2005 MSTA Principal of the Year, 2004 MASC Principal of the Year, and 2002 NSTA/Ciba National Exemplary Administrator of the Year. He has served the district as a teacher and Assistant Principal in the Northville Public Schools and was formerly a teacher and counselor with the Starr Commonwealth Schools. Mr. Cracraft resides in Northville with his wife Holly Cracraft and three children who attend the Northville Public Schools.

Assistant Principal Brad O’Neill has worked in the Northville Public Schools for the past 18 years. Brad has taught Physical Education and coached baseball and hockey at Northville high School. Brad served as the interim Assistant Principal at NHS in 20019-2010 school year. Brad holds a Bachelors in Physical Education and History and a Masters in Education. He resides in Highland, Michigan with his wife Sandy and two children.

Welcome to Hillside Middle School and we are looking forward to working with you and your family!