There’s something deeply contagious about wonder. Step into a classroom at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, and you just might catch it. In fact, it’s hard not to. Curiosity is often on full display—students leaning forward in their seats, hands shooting up with questions, and voices ready to share something meaningful. But on a recent Friday morning, what unfolded in the fifth-grade classroom didn’t just reflect engaged learning—it unveiled a living testimony to how our students are learning to see the world.

Church members in each location the choir tour visited last week were stirred as they watched the next generation proclaim the Gospel; not through preaching, but through music that carried eternal words. The choir tour became a living expression of Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” These concerts weren’t staged performances; they were mission moments. And in these moments, Jesus was glorified.

In a world that often values information over wisdom, Hillcrest is committed to forming students who not only know but also share—who disciple others through what they have learned and who see education not as an end in itself but as a means of knowing and glorifying the God who created all things.

Music is more than sound—it tells a story of faith, perseverance, and purpose. As students in Mr. Clark’s class at Hillcrest Academy studied the lives of Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, they discovered lessons that shaped their own understanding of calling and character.

Hillcrest Academy’s classical approach to education isn’t just about rigorous academics; it’s about shaping whole people: students who think deeply, live wisely, and love well. True learning isn’t an isolated process; it happens best within a community of shared experiences and meaningful relationships. From the ancient Greek academies to the monastic schools of the Middle Ages, the greatest centers of learning have always understood that knowledge is best cultivated in the soil of deep, relational community.

While it may look like a fun costume day, what’s really happening is something much greater: students are expanding their minds, strengthening their understanding, and learning to carry truth into their daily lives. At Hillcrest, dress-up days aren’t just about what students wear; they are about who they are becoming.

The Comets’ season ended in a hard-fought battle against a tough Ada Borup West squad. After a competitive first half that saw Hillcrest trailing by just three points at the break (27-24), the Cougars seized momentum with a decisive 10-0 run early in the second half. Despite executing their game plan well, the Comets struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, going 0-for-8 in the first half and just 1-for-5 in the second. Free throw struggles added to the challenge, as Hillcrest converted only 6 of 16 attempts.

Despite Hillcrest’s defensive control, Frazee refused to go quietly. As the Comets' offense cooled late in the first half, the Hornets clawed their way back, slowly chipping away at the deficit. Hillcrest’s shot-making stalled, and Frazee took advantage, pulling within one just before halftime. But while the Hornets had managed to close the gap, they had spent nearly every ounce of energy doing so. Hillcrest had forced them into an exhausting first half, making every possession a battle.

A student’s faith journey is not meant to be traveled alone. Today’s conversations at the parent-teacher conferences serve as a reminder that the road to spiritual maturity is paved with intentional guidance, encouragement, and accountability. When a teacher sees a student struggling, they pray. When a parent senses their child wrestling with questions of faith, they pray. When parents and teachers come together, prayer becomes a powerful catalyst for growth.

The Hillcrest Comet girls’ basketball team closed the curtain on a remarkable season last night, battling until the final buzzer against Underwood in a tough playoff matchup. While the final score read 56-41 in favor of the Rockets, the scoreboard does little to tell the true story of what this team has accomplished.

The Hillcrest Comets are storming into the postseason with confidence, carrying the momentum of their record-setting season into a decisive 65-47 playoff victory over Park. The Comets, known for their relentless defense and disciplined play, found themselves in an early hole but quickly turned up the pressure to overwhelm the Falcons and secure the win.

Last night, young students gathered for Comet Cheer Camp in the auditorium. Beyond mastering jumps and chants, these young Comets discovered something even more powerful: the impact of celebrating others.

In a world where speaking openly about faith is becoming less common, Hillcrest’s lower school trains students to see it as natural. When students stand up in chapel and share what God is teaching them, they learn that talking about their faith isn’t just for adults, it’s for them. By normalizing public declarations of faith, Hillcrest is discipling students to become future leaders in their families, churches, and country.

Tuesday night’s dominant 67-32 win over Battle Lake was more than just another victory—it was a statement. A showcase of defensive intensity, offensive rhythm, and a team that is dialed in as they prepare for their postseason march.

By blending academic rigor with real-world experiences, Mrs. Riestenberg’s biology class’ bread-making lesson modeled what makes Hillcrest Academy’s approach so powerful. Education isn’t about filling minds with facts but shaping hearts and equipping students to live out their faith in meaningful ways.

The Comets leaned on their outside shooting to stretch LPA’s defense, showing patience in their ball movement despite the shot clock winding down. Their ability to shift the defense with crisp perimeter passing allowed for small creases to attack the basket and convert key opportunities to hold-off a late game surge and carry a 65-53 win into the locker room.

With two games remaining before playoff seedings are set, the Comets are uniting and pushing strong into the postseason. Sitting at 18-6, they travel to Lake Park-Audubon on Tuesday before hosting Mahnomen-Waubun on Friday for their regular season finale. This final stretch is about sharpening their identity, sustaining their momentum, and continuing to celebrate the dedication that defines this team.

Part of what makes Hillcrest’s production so engaging is how the cast leans into the novel’s redemptive arc. Little Women is not just a coming-of-age tale but a story of mistakes made and forgiven, of hearts broken and mended, and of dreams that shift and grow over time. The students make these core lessons resonate, and their collective commitment invites the audience to reflect on their own families and aspirations.

Mr. Undseth gently sat in the chair and looked across the table at Mr. Tony Rogness. The two usually greet each other from across the hall, but on Thursday afternoon, they gathered with the Upper School teachers to participate in a Socratic circle, not as teachers but as students. Academic Dean Lauren Frobish guided the room of upper school teachers through a Socratic circle to discuss John Milton Gregory’s The Seven Laws of Teaching. The session reinforced their teaching methodologies and integrated art education to enhance students’ picture smarts, aligning with Hillcrest’s classical Christian approach.

This weekend, when the curtain rises on Little Women, it will be more than a performance. It will showcase students maturing before our eyes, wrestling with deep themes, expressing real emotion, and growing in their faith. It will be an invitation to witness what makes a classical education unique: the opportunity to step into stories, embody truth and practice the art of resolution.