Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #7 - Every weekend students participate in organized events at Hillcrest Academy. These events draw in the diverse community at Hillcrest to build strong friendships and enable quality mentor opportunities between instructors, staff and students.

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy

610 Hillcrest Dr.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #1 - 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.
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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #1 - 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 #2 - Hillcrest's rigorous Understanding The Times worldview class is taught with a traditional Oxford-style allowing questions and internalization of concepts.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #3 - Hillcrest's college preparatory curriculum prepares students for the SAT, ACT and college rigor.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #4 - While Hillcrest is a small school, students receive incredible opportunities. Hillcrest's worship arts program and mission experiences are a few extra-curriculars that many schools don't emphasize outside athletic offerings. At Hillcrest, purposed mentorship allow students to explore talents and dreams to equip them for a life of significance.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #5 - Hillcrest's graduates are prepared for the cultures in the world through the inter-cultural experience they have had at Hillcrest. Over 95% of Hillcrest's graduates move from the Castle to a four year University or college setting.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #6 - Hillcrest Academy is ethnically and racially diverse. Students from around the world prefer the Hillcrest dormitory experience over a home-stay or other boarding option because of the life-long friendships and general support students experience from teachers, staff and fellow students.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #7 - Hillcrest's Concert Choir and Concert Band conduct a 2-week tour across the United States. Recently they traveled to the American South-West on their 14 day tour where they performed 16 concerts for various church groups and organizations.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #8 - Every weekend students participate in organized events at Hillcrest Academy. These events draw in the diverse community at Hillcrest to build strong friendships and enable quality mentor opportunities between instructors, staff and students.
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo #9 - Graduation is a capstone event with a century-old tradition of singing the class song on the front steps as a final launching point for the Senior class.
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)

  • 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

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 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
2-12
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%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$2.5 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$19,475
(Includes program fees)
$68,353
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
n/a
$37,000
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

Course Listings

List of Courses Offered

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.
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 ).
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Quick Facts (2025)

  • 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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