Hillcrest History

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THEN:

The original school, in the present Hillcrest area, was constructed by settlers in 1826 on lot 31, concession 2 in Southern Toronto Township, and was located in the north-west portion of today's Q.E.W./Southdown traffic circle.  The area was originally inhabited by Mississauga First Nations people.  This first school was known as School No. 5 and "the Red School House".  In 1830, the school was enlarged to two rooms and cost for attending was one shilling, three pence per month.  Free school was introduced in 1868.

In 1876, the original school was replaced by a red brick building with a green roof; it also doubled as a church for many years.  This new school was constructed on the north-east side of the same lot in the trafic circle area.  A tall row of evergreens still stands near its original location.  Although originally called Upper Clarkson, the school was most frequently referred to by older students as the school on top of the hill; eventually, the official name was changed to Hillcrest. 

In 1957 the Ontario Department of Highways took over the lands occupied by the original schools.  The present Hillcrest site was purchased, and a new six-room school was officially opened on November 14, 1957.  It was surrounded by many market gardens and the rapidly expanding Fairfields subdivision.  Hillcrest has been enlarged three times in the 1960's; when the population peaked in the 1970's several portables were on site.  When the local school population started to decline, it became a French Immersion School for grade 7 and 8 students. 

NOW:

We are very proud of Hillcrest P. S.  It is 41 years old!  It is the only school of its kind in all of Peel.  Our local students form the classes from kindergarten to grade 6.  There are approximately 110 students in total in these classes.  In the Intermediate division, our own local students plus students from Whiteoaks form our grade 7 and 8 English classes.  Students from Whiteoaks, Sheridan Park, Mineola and Springfield come to Hillcrest for their grade 7 and 8 French Immersion Program.  We also have students who come from all schools south of the 401 for our grade 7 and 8 Extended French Program.  We have approximately 370 Intermediate students at Hillcrest. 

Every year about 1/3 of our school population changes as our Grade 8's graduate and we welcome our new Grade7's.  This is an exciting school, full of many growth opportunities. 

HILLCREST IS...a place where new people get to know each other!
                        ...a place to learn and have fun!
                        ...a remedy for a sad person!

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