Hillcrest has been a fixture in Olivette since the early 1960s. The property was purchased because the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church (Central) believed students should have room to run and play and exercise their bodies as well as their minds. The property is expansive and permits various learning environments, accommodates an agricultural component of education, and provides a generous area for play.
The school was closed in the fall of 2006 due to needed renovations. Central prayed for guidance about what should be done with the property, and after concerted prayer and Bible study, Central felt impressed that it should reopen a school in St. Louis. Extensive research was done, and it was determined that the best option was to renovate the Hillcrest building and prepare it for opening in 2010.
The renovation work was embarked upon by a dedicated team of Central members who saw God’s plan for education and Godly training. Church members gave their time and talents and poured their energies into restarting Hillcrest. The school was reborn with a mission to teach young people to care for and serve their communities in Jesus’ name, and great care has been taken to prepare Hillcrest for the students who walk through those front doors every school year.
Since reopening, Hillcrest has grown from a one-room school to three vibrant classrooms. We are proud of the work God has done in and through the hearts and hands of many. Because of the commitment to Christian education, we welcome a whole new generation of “Hillcrest Families,” and we move forward, trusting God’s plan for this unique school – God’s school.