Distinction in Robotics and Mathematics, earning national and regional awards over the past eight years.
Top STEM Program - Ranked in the top 15% nationally by STEM.org and Newsweek magazine.
Award-winning Arts program Boasts over twenty clubs and ten varsity sports teams for students interested in extra-curricular involvement.
Recognized as one of the nation's leading Christian Boarding Schools by NIche.com.
Nationally and internationally accredited by Cognia (formerly Advance ED) and the Minnesota Non-Public Schools Accrediting Association.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 10-12
- Grades: (Day Students) 5-12
- Enrollment: 200 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $19,475
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Average class size: 13 students
- Application Deadline: Sep. 1 / Jan. 10 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 276 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
10-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
5-12
6-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1916
1907
Campus Size
25 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
200 students
315 students
% Students of Color
10%
27%
% International Students
30%
21%
% Students Boarding
50%
70%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1000 - 1400
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
60%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$2.5 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$19,475
(Includes program fees)
(Includes program fees)
$68,800
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
n/a
$37,700
Tuition international students
$25,260
$58,650
% Students on Financial Aid
60%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$3,000
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Sep. 1 / Jan. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
70%
64%
Director of Admissions
Jeff Isaac
Brad Hoganson
Brad Hoganson
Associate Director of Admissions
Shaylynn Schultz
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
11
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
15
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Chess ClubClub Golf
Cooking ClubDominican Mission Team
Drama ClubEvangelism Club
RoboticsRotary Club
Students for Life America
Arts and Music Programs:
Club FencingConcert Club
HonorJazz Club
School Notes
- Hillcrest Academy is a private Christian college praparatory boarding high school for grades 9-12. Hillcrest enrolls students from around the world and offers English as a second culture and ESL classes.
- Hillcrest is located in west-central Minnesota on 25 acres of the Ottertail River. Being tucked away in the city of Fergus Falls, Hillcrest is only 45 miles east of Fargo, North Datoka and 150 miles from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Athletic facilities include one full size gymnasium with a weight-room, one 3/4 sized gymnasium, a full-court soccer field and lighted football field.
- Hillcrest was founded in 1935 after a group of churches called for a school where their students could process the Christian life. Through the rigorous academic program, students at Hillcrest are directed to engage in the world through the various mission and study-and-mission programs offered.
- The Men and Women's dormitories equip students by encouraging self-directed discipline in their studies. Should a student struggle, the dormitory staff directs, encourages and mentors students to embrace their responsibilities as a young man or woman.
- Over the past 5 years, 98% of Hillcrest students attend private and state Universities, colleges or world-mission organizations.
- Hillcrest Academy is accredited through the Minnesota Nonpublic Schools Accrediation Association. Hillcrest is also an active member in the Minnesota Independent School Forum and Association of Christian Schools International.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae: G.T. Gunhus - Four-star Army Chaplain, notable during the 9/11 attacks.
- Hillcrest Lutheran Academy accreditations: Cognia and Minnesota Nonpublic Schools Accrediting Association (MNSAA)
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Hillcrest Lutheran Academy cost?
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy's tuition is approximately $19,475 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy?
The acceptance rate of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy is 70%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
What sports does Hillcrest Lutheran Academy offer?
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy offers 11 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Hillcrest Lutheran Academy's ranking?
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Least expensive tuition.
When is the application deadline for Hillcrest Lutheran Academy?
The application deadline for Hillcrest Lutheran Academy is Sep. 1 / Jan. 10 / rolling (applications are due on Sep. 1 / Jan. 10 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Hillcrest is full of history, a legacy of education and impact has already been established. Being a part of this historical and impactful institution gives you a sense of belonging and purpose for something great. . .
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy combines a unique blend of classical Christian education in a rural American setting yet with a dynamic multicultural student body. A dormitory in a community this size is quite unique and provides. . .
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Alumni #3
Class of 2011
5.008/26/2025
Minnesota state university moorhead
Class of 2011
5.008/26/2025
Minnesota state university moorhead
Hillcrest is a Christian classical education boarding school. They teach students to think critically about the things they hear.The teachers care about the spiritual growth and faith of their students.Hillcrest’s school building looks like. . .
Show more reviews (2 reviews)
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