School Awards & Recognition

2024 California Distinguished Schools

Menlo Park City School District’s only middle school, Hillview, has been honored as a California Distinguished School for 2024. Hillview is one of only five middle schools in San Mateo County to earn this recognition.

California Secretary of Education Tony Thurmond announced the list on February 29, 2024, stating that schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2023 Dashboard, with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate, and that schools are recognized for exceptional student performance based on achieving exemplary performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and math.

2015 - 2017 Apple Distinguished School

In June of 2015, Hillview was invited to submit a description of its 1:1 iPad program for consideration of Apple Distinguished School recognition. In the fall of 2015, we engaged our staff in validating our work with iPads, documented our growth over the past three years, and collected examples of student work that told our story. Apple agreed that our 1:1 iPad program, a ubiquitous element of teaching and learning at Hillview, demonstrated visionary leadership, innovative teaching and learning, ongoing professional development, compelling evidence of success, and a flexible learning environment.

 

 

2015 California Gold Ribbon School

In 2015, with the California Distinguished School program was on hiatus as California transitions to new assessment and accountability standards, the state of California sought to recognize outstanding educational programs and practices in middle schools and high schools. Hillview submitted its "Future of Learning Initiative," which described in detail our programs that support and enhance both academic and social-emotional growth in our students. It was with great pride that we accepted this recognition in May of 2015.

 

 

2009 California Distinguished School This is the 8th time Hillview has been named a Distinguished School — more than any other school in the state!
 

2000 National Blue Ribbon School The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, in existence since 1982, celebrates many of America's most successful schools. Its goal is to promote and support the improvement of education in America. Hillview was recognized in 1999-2000 by the United States Department of Education as one of the nation's top schools.
 

April 17, 2010 Hillview won the prestigious architectural design award from the Society of American Registered Architects, California Council.