Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #5 - Hillcrest started in 1916 out of the Bible school movement in America at the turn of the century. For the past 100 years Hillcrest has served families from nearly every continent and throughout the United States with a comprehensive boarding school program that disciples students and equips them for their next stages in life.

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy

610 Hillcrest Dr.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #1 - Hillcrest started in 1916 out of the Bible school movement in America at the turn of the century. For the past 100 years Hillcrest has served families from nearly every continent and throughout the United States with a comprehensive boarding school program that disciples students and equips them for their next stages in life.
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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #1 - Hillcrest started in 1916 out of the Bible school movement in America at the turn of the century. For the past 100 years Hillcrest has served families from nearly every continent and throughout the United States with a comprehensive boarding school program that disciples students and equips them for their next stages in life.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #2 - Hilcrest Academy's main classroom building is a traditional boarding school. Boasting near 100 years of serving families with college preparatory education, Hillcrest's outlook is bright for the future with increasing enrollment year-over-year for the past 5 years.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #3 - Over 50% of Hillcrest's faculty hold advanced degrees, which enables Hillcrest to offer many dual-enrollment courses where students earn both college and high school credits completing the same course through a number of Universities, including Northwestern University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #4 - Hillcrest offers a wide variety of athletic opportunities that are highly successful thanks to the dedication of mentor-coaches who instill character and discipline in sports for students. Students can join Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross-country Running, Basketball, Cross-Country Skiing, Hockey, Baseball, Softball, Track and Field, and Golf
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #5 - Every student at Hillcrest highlights how they grow in understanding of faith and build strong habits for a faith-filled life. Hillcrest has incredible rhythms to drive this that include praise singing chapel services, teaching chapel services, prayer days, and spiritual retreats for students wanting to grow more in their faith.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #6 - Hillcrest hosts a number of gatherings throughout the year to connect off-campus families with dorm students. These connections are what makes Hillcrest truly unique, where our dormitory program unites with our day school families to make a cohesive community that supports students in every facet of life.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #7 - Students at Hillcrest unite with off-campus families who host regular meals in their homes. These bi-monthly connections foster community and camaraderie within the student body and provide crucial family support to the mentorship program Hillcrest operates in the dormitories.
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

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy
Boarding School Avg.
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
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
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%
Average SAT Score
1250
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1000 - 1400
-
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Modest
Casual
Average Class Size
13 students
12
* National Avg. »18
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)
$19,475
(Includes program fees)
$68,800
Yearly Tuition
(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
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Admissions

Application Deadline
Sep. 1 / Jan. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
70%
64%
Director of Admissions
Jeff Isaac
Brad Hoganson
Associate Director of Admissions
Shaylynn Schultz

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
15
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Chess ClubClub Golf
Cooking ClubDominican Mission Team
Drama ClubEvangelism Club
RoboticsRotary Club
Students for Life America


Arts and Music Programs:
Club FencingConcert 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

Class of 2001
5.00
Free Lutheran Bible College
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. . .

Class of 2003
5.00
University of Phoenix- Online
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. . .

Class of 2011
5.00
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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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

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