Hillcrest High School is a co-educational high school situated 2,5 km from the centre of Hillcrest and 35 km from Durban. Hillcrest High had its origins at Hillcrest Primary School where, for a number of years, Grade 8 and 9 classes were accommodated. Hillcrest High opened its doors for the first time on 20 January 1976 with an enrolment of 276 learners and a staff of 18. The school was officially opened in October 1976 by the then Director of Education, Mr P R T Nel. The founding principal, Mr Clive Talbot, served the school for nearly two years before being promoted to Head Office. Mr Talbot's successors have been:
The school has a student population just over 1000, and academic staff of more than 52. Over the years the school has had learners in the top 30 candidates in the Natal Senior Certificate examinations, has obtained Matric exemption rates of up to 80%, has featured consistently in academic extension olympiads. Learners have represented KwaZulu-Natal in sports and cultural activities. The school was the first in KwaZulu-Natal to introduce the Craft, Design and Technology subject in 1991, a bridging programme in 1992, Teacher Assistant programme in 1993, and Zulu for all Grade 8 and 9 learners in 2000. Sports facilities include three tennis courts, three netball fields, four hockey fields, two rugby/soccer fields and three cricket pitches. Inanda Road property is used for hockey, cricket and soccer. Parents were largely responsible for the levelling and grassing of the Belvedere Field which was opened in 1984. The most successful fund raising ventures to date have provided a swimming pool opened in 1986, and a Media Centre opened in 1987. The upper storey of the Media Centre houses books, periodicals and the catalogue computers, while the lower floor provides a study area and three equipped audio-visual rooms. 1991 saw the completion of two Art Studios and The Cage Theatre. During 1999 the school's governing body embarked on a major upgrade of the school's Information Technology facilities. Structural improvements were made to the library to allow the installation of more computers for research and Internet access. A new server and 30 computers were installed in the Computer Room. 25 more computers were installed in the Typing Room to allow the introduction of Computyping, a subject which teaches word processing instead of typing. In February 1991 the parents of the school voted to assume Model B status, opening the doors to learners of all race groups. In August 1992, along with most schools controlled by the Department of Education and Culture, Hillcrest High became a state-aided school. The management and control of the school is invested in its Governing Body. In terms of the South African Schools Act of 1996, Hillcrest High is now a public school.
Academics
School-leavers write the exams. Most class sizes are under 30 pupils.
Daniel Salomon was awarded the Witt Memorial Trophy for the highest mark in Geography in 2018.
Subject packages
Students are required to study a minimum of seven subjects. These subjects are on seven 'lines' and ONE subject must be selected from each line.
Sports
Usually in June, Hillcrest High competes in its Derby Day event against local rivals Kloof High School. Another notable rivalry is between the school and its sister school Carter High, located in Pietermaritzburg. On both of these Derby Days, rugby forms the focal point, with netball and hockey also being played. Derby Days are usually hosted at either of the participating school's grounds on a rotation basis. Other sports include badminton, tennis, horse riding, soccer, chess, swimming, and waterpolo.
Cultural
There are a range of clubs and societies running within the school, including fishing and eco tourism and below: Photography, Toastmasters and Media Centre
