1663 S Devonshire Dr
Salt Lake City, UT 84108

I am a current student at this school, and throughout my time here i have felt more overwhelmed, isolated and unsupported then i've ever felt. The administration in particular, has constantly been super unhelpful. Whenever I or someone else raises a concern or states an issue their response is almost always, "We'll look into it." Yet no changes ever follow. This pattern has made it very difficult to trust that the students well-being is a genuine concern and priority. While the teachers are wonderful, kind, dedicated, and genuinely care about their students sucess, the overall enviroment at the school is very discouraging. There are ongoing issues in the student body such as instances of racism, which creats a very unwelcoming atmosphere; as well as students making fun of their peers with disabilities. I've never seen these problems adressed in a way that is effective. The physical condition of the school is awful. The building smells super unpleasant, like rotten eggs. I personally have seen rats, and the floors are cleaned once a week maximum. The girls bathroom on the second floor has been closed since the beginning of the school year. None of these problems have seemed to be fixed since they're building a new school. During spring break, I was so happy to be away, I started crying though at the thought of returning and having to be there for another month; which made it very clear to me that staying here is not healthy for me or my mental health. I'm transferring to a different school next year, and based on my time here, I would never recomend this school to others. Although the teachers are amazing, the enviroment doesn't feel safe, supportive, and certainly not welcoming.

The teachers here are amazing! Hillside is one of the schools in the valley everyone wants to work at, so there is fierce competition for positions. I was nervous about sending my daughter because my own experience in middle school was so bad, but she has truly loved it. She is in the MELP program, and in the same set of classes as many of her peers, which helps with making friends. She has been challenged, but not over-burdened with homework. Nearly everything she has brought home has been designed to help her remember what they learned in class, and hasn't been busy-work. The community also really comes together for extra-curricular activities. I'm amazed by the outreach surrounding their theater program. (I feel that nearly 50% of the school is in the musical, and they have all had an excellent experience from the lead to the ensemble.)

Indian Hills is a wonderful school with a fantastic community. The school has excellent teachers with a wide range of skills. You could walk into any class and see high student engagement. The office staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The community is full of highly involved families.