OUR MISSION
The mission of Hillside Arts and Letters Academy is to offer students a challenging college preparatory curriculum with a special emphasis on visual arts, music, and writing. Students at Hillside Arts become self-directed and resourceful learners with a deep appreciation for the arts as not only a source of enjoyment and personal growth but also as a path to understanding and changing society. We prepare students to graduate as independent thinkers who are academically well-rounded, creative, and especially well-prepared to innovate and collaborate.

Facts at a Glance 

This is our eighth year, and we at  Hillside Arts and Letters Academy are proud of our success so far. We’d like to highlight some of the work that we do with our young people  so you can make an informed choice about our school.

  • Students have the opportunity to sign up for KAPLAN SAT Prep courses, College Now courses, St. John's credit courses and AP classes in which they attain college credit.
  • Our new Computer Science program is up and running with exciting opportunities for students in all grade levels.  We also have after-school computer animation club.
  • Our advisory program provides intensive, personalized support for each and every one of our students. All advisory classes enroll about 17 students, who engage in a curriculum especially designed to acclimate students to high school, prepare them for college, and expose them to important topics such as identity, anti-bullying, and culture/race/gender stereotypes.
  • Students have the opportunity to choose an art themed advisory based on interests.
  • All of our 9th, 10th and 11th grade students participate in portfolio round table presentations. Students sit in small groups, and each group hosts a visitor who listens to them present selections of work from the semester. Our 12th graders participate in Senior Interview Day. We invite professionals from a wide range of fields to interview students and provide them with feedback on their resumes, interviewing skills and career goals.
  • Our partnership with Institute for Student Achievement allows us to provide teachers with ongoing support through coaching and professional development. As a result, HALA students benefit from learning with a dedicated team of teachers and counselors who provide them with academic,  emotional and social support. 
  • All students have the opportunity to attend grade specific tutoring. 
  • All classrooms have a class set of laptops to support project based learning and college prep instruction. 

Take A Visual Tour

BELL SCHEDULE
2017 - 2018

School Reviews

HALA is such a diverse place with students who are eager to learn, and all receive something different in each classroom they enter! 
– Mrs. Kurtzman

I think that the teacher try to do everything they can to get their students to be successful 
- Ms. Patel

I love HALA because teachers always give students multiple opportunities to succeed 
– Ms. Chadderton

Hillside arts and letters academy has teachers that make learning fun! – Ms.Brito

As a multi subject teacher at HALA, I love this school! Administration is appreciative; students are diverse and eager to learn, while teachers are supportive of one another’s work. 
– Mrs. Katz
I love it! I've worked in 3 public schools and this is my favorite. I also love that the principal supports the arts. 
– Mrs. Trust

I love HALA because it creates many opportunities for students and teachers to feel supported and love learning! 
– Ms. Conwell

I like that the school is small enough to build relationships with the students and it is a very familiar atmosphere. 
- Ms. Stubbs

HALA is a very diverse school that offers many different things
– Ms. Bhola

HALA offers all students to succeed by keeping parents, teachers and students on one page. 
– Ms. Murphy
HILLSIDE ARTS AND LETTERS ACADEMY