The Hillcrest STEAM Academy will give the students the opportunity to learn through a project-based learning (PBL) approach with a focus on (S)cience, (T)echnology, (E)ngineering, (A)rts, and (M)athematics. PBL gives students the opportunity to have hands-on learning with real-world problems making their learning meaningful and relevant. Through this process, students will be given a variety of questions to solve and work together with their peers to develop possible solutions. PBL enables students to develop strong critical thinking skills and fosters student growth with their interpersonal skills.

High student engagement

Students retain information longer than with traditional instruction and are able to apply the knowledge to new situations.

Students gain a deep understanding of the content and also learn how to take responsibility and build confidence, solve problems, work collaboratively, communicate ideas, and be creative innovators.

PBL is an effective way to address the new state learning standards.

Technology use will increase the amount of resources for students, help in creation, and increase collaboration.

PBL allows teachers to work more closely with active, engaged students doing high-quality and meaningful work.

Capacity at the Hillcrest STEAM Academy is 510 (K-6) students from across the Belton School District. 

• Parents or guardians who wish to have their child(ren) attend Hillcrest STEAM Academy will need to complete the online family registration enrollment request form. Students will be selected from this enrollment pool.
• All children whose parents wish them  to attend Hillcrest STEAM Academy must apply for the open selection.  If applications are not completed , they will NOT be on the eligible list for selection .  This includes students of siblings at Hillcrest STEAM Academy. All students must go through the open selection process.
• Students in the selection  will be chosen randomly according to their current attendance area. All attendance areas will be represented proportionately: Cambridge, Gladden, and Kentucky Trail.
• There are  3 classes per grade level with class sizes listed below:
• Kindergarten - 22 students per class
• 1st Grade - 23 students per class
• 2nd Grade - 24 students per class
• 3rd Grade - 25 students per class
• 4th Grade - 25 students per class
• 5th Grade - 25 students per class
• 6th Grade - 25 students per class 
• As families are chosen, each student in a  family will be placed in available spots by their respective grades. Students will be placed either in a grade (if there is space) or on a waiting list by grade in the order they were selected.
• The positions will not be drawn publicly.  Parents will be notified through an email and/or a phone call if their child was selected through the open selection and will have a certain number of days to reply and accept the spot drawn.

Enrollment is based on a family household lottery system. Parents/Guardians will fill out one application including all children in the household intending to be considered for attendance at the Hillcrest STEAM Academy. When a child is selected through the lottery system, all immediate siblings in the family household will be eligible for placement based on availability in the designated grade level and seats remaining for their home school site. If there is not an opening, siblings will be placed on the waiting list in the order created through the lottery process.

Student placement letters/emails will be delivered after the lottery process is complete. Parents will have 5 days to confirm acceptance of their child’s placement. The date by which confirmation must be received will be listed in the letter. The District will send out calls and make multiple efforts to contact parents if the confirmation has not been received before offering the spot to the next student on the waiting list.

With the initial lottery, parents will be notified if their child has been accepted into the Hillcrest STEAM Academy or placed on the waiting list. After the start of the school year, you can contact the Hillcrest STEAM Academy office to inquire about your child's placement on the waiting list.

Hillcrest STEAM Academy will have an extended school year. There will be an additional 20 school days added to the end of the school year. These extended days are implemented so students and teachers can delve much deeper into the District curriculum. With deeper learning comes needed time to complete ALL state-mandated grade level goals. Learning and assessment take place throughout the June days. It is imperative that every child is present every school day, on time, to finish the entirety of their grade level year.

The school year will be extended for an additional 20 days. Students would still be able to attend the second session at one of the other elementary schools if they wish to attend summer school.

They will attend their designated neighborhood school: Gladden, Cambridge, Kentucky Trail, or Mill Creek.

Yes. Included within the Arts in STEAM is language arts. The STEAM school will have a focus on English Language Arts as students are taught to be proficient in reading and writing. Students will receive a well-rounded education at Hillcrest STEAM Academy which encompasses a blend of learning information from all core subject areas and applying that learning within integrated projects within the classroom.

Yes, all students K-6 have a device issued to them which they are responsible for throughout the school year. Kindergarten students do not bring the devices home until 2nd semester. Students and families are expected to adhere to the responsible use agreement all parents sign during open enrollment.

Homework will be assigned similar to the other elementary schools. Homework may look a little different as it could be in the form of projects, working with technology, or students collaborating with their families. Teachers will develop homework based on the needs of their students.

Students will be graded through individual and small group assessments in order to have a representation of all student learning. Students will be graded using Standards Based Grading.

If your child is entering kindergarten for the new school year, you will be notified by April 1st if your child was chosen through the open selection process. There is information in the e-mail with instructions to sign up for kindergarten screenings at Hillcrest.

The Hillcrest STEAM Academy will have a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The students will learn through project-based learning approach for a large portion of their day.
Project Based Learning Description
Example of Project Based Learning

STEAM
Project Lead the Way
Project Based Learning