Mary Lou Plan in Ivy by McCaffrey Homes
Madera, CA 93636

When going to this school your last name matters. Very cliquey administrative structure. Principal is good, teachers are new just about every year. We had had 4 superintendents in the past 5 years. They are never in compliance with a lot of stuff!

Some good teachers but many just collecting a paycheck. Serious moral and ethical concerns with school and district leadership.

My children have been students at Hillside Elementary School for 1 year and overall, I am happy with the school and the progress my children have made in their education. We moved from a highly impacted area where the student to teacher ratio was 1-to-30, my children were struggling to grasp the material because the class sizes were so large and that caused a lack of 1-on-1 and small group learning. At first, we were hesitant about having our children in Hillside and the Chawanakee district because of all the rumors that went around from parents in the area, but we gave it a shot and were pleasantly surprised. The smaller class sizes, roughly 1 teacher to 20 students, was a big plus. The fact that the school was ready and well-prepared to take on my son's IEP and learning disability was another major plus for us - especially when we were shown just how much progress he made within the first half of the school year. The fact that my children were heard, seen, and observed by eager and attentive teachers who would communicate their concerns with us was also another major plus and influencing factor that affirmed our decision to keep our children at Hillside Elementary. For any parents who are the fence due to negative comments and rumors you have heard about this school, I highly encourage you to give Hillside Elementary a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised.