Tucked into a corner of Farmington Hills, Hillside Elementary School is a K-5 school that’s doing a lot more than just handing out homework and gold stars. Hillside Elementary is home to around 685 students who come from all walks of life — in fact, over 45 different languages are spoken here. That kind of diversity isn’t just a fun fact — its something the school embraces and builds on every single day.
This place opened its doors back in 1991, and ever since, it’s been focused on helping kids become more than just good students. Hillside is a Leader in Me school, which means students are learning how to take ownership, speak up, and become leaders — even in elementary school. From student-led conferences to Leadership Notebooks (yep, that’s a thing), the kids here are encouraged to shine in and out of the classroom.
And it’s not just the students who are doing the work — the staff at Hillside is constantly learning, growing, and improving how they support every type of learner. They’ve got a tight focus on equity, empathy, and making sure each child gets what they need to succeed, no matter where they’re starting from.
In short? Hillside isn’t just a building with desks and books. It’s a place where kids grow into compassionate, confident people — and that’s something worth highlighting.
