Kindergarten Registration Now Open for the 2025-2026 School Year!
Hilliard City Schools is excited to welcome the Class of 2038 as we open registration for the 2025-2026 school year for your kindergartners!
Parents and guardians of future kindergartners are encouraged to begin the registration process by visiting clicking HERE!
A friendly reminder that registration for grades 1-12 will open on April 1.
We look forward to supporting your student’s journey into school and beyond!
Winter weather in Central Ohio brings its fair share of challenges, and deciding whether to delay or cancel school is one of the most difficult responsibilities our team faces. We know these decisions impact families, staff, and our entire community, and take this responsibility very seriously.
With a district of our size, there are no absolute rules for weather-related decisions—each situation requires careful judgment based on a variety of factors. Our team begins monitoring weather conditions days before a predicted storm. On mornings with winter weather concerns, multiple staff members are on the roads as early as 3 a.m., assessing real-time conditions. There isn’t a specific amount of snowfall or a set temperature that automatically triggers a closure; instead, we use all available resources to make informed, case-by-case decisions.
We also track information provided by city, county, and regional officials to monitor snow removal and road treatment efforts. Additionally, we consult with neighboring districts to gather insights on nearby road conditions, though our final decision is made independently based on what’s best for our students and staff. We are not obligated to make the same decision regarding school closure as any other area district.
Advances in radar and weather forecasting give us additional tools to make informed decisions, but winter weather remains unpredictable. Our district covers 60 square miles, including Columbus, Hilliard, Dublin, Brown, and Norwich Townships. Each area may experience slightly different weather and road conditions, complicating our decision-making process.
Typically, decisions about school closures or delays are made by 10:00 p.m. the night before or by 5:30 a.m. the morning of a potential closure. Our transportation team needs time to prepare our bus fleet, and our staff must ensure buildings are safe and accessible.
One question we often hear is whether the district receives additional funding for staying open during inclement weather. The answer is simple: there is no financial incentive tied to either holding or canceling school.
We do consider two-hour delays when they would meaningfully improve road conditions. For example, a delay makes sense if additional time allows road crews to clear streets or dense fog to lift. However, delays also create unique traffic patterns for our buses, and often, sticking to our regular schedule is the safest and most reliable option.
Our commitment is always to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. At the same time, we know school closures can be disruptive, and we recognize that over 30% of our students rely on school for breakfast and lunch. We do not look for reasons to cancel school; instead, we exhaust every possibility to keep our doors open and provide a safe learning environment.
For families with student drivers, we encourage caution during winter weather and remind parents that school buses are always an option for those in the transportation areas. Our drivers are highly trained, and our buses are well-equipped to handle winter roads.
Winter weather is a reality in Central Ohio, and we appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as we work to make the best possible decisions for our students and staff. Together, we’ll continue to prioritize safety, communication, and the well-being of our entire school community.
Kindergarten Registration for 2025-2026 Opens January 13th!
We’re excited to welcome the Class of 2038! Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins on January 13, 2025.
What You’ll Need to Enroll
To learn more and kick off your kindergartener’s enrollment starting January 13th, visit hilliardschools.org to get started!
Bernadette John, a 2017 graduate of Darby High School, said she owes where she is today to Hilliard City Schools.
After earning a bachelor’s in music performance and a bachelor’s in business administration from Bowling Green State University, she attended Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She graduated in May of 2023 with her master’s in clarinet performance.
Starting in September, she is studying contemporary clarinet performance in Dublin, Ireland, as a Fulbright scholarship recipient. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. John said the process wasn’t an easy one. Only around one in five Fulbright applicants are accepted. When she returns from her 10-month stint in Ireland, she hopes to attend The Ohio State University for her doctorate of musical arts, then teach and play music.
“Without Hilliard Schools, I don’t think I would have chosen music as a career path,” she said. “I still remember my very first day of band and Mr. John Montgomery teaching me my very first notes on the clarinet.”
Others who influenced her and encouraged her passion for music while at Hilliard include Nicole Brocke, Joe Burke, Jeremy Kozman, Nick James, Kristin Hodgson, Michael Martin, and Hannah Sterman-Wilson.
If you have alumni you would like to see spotlighted, click here to send us an email!
The Back-to-School Senior Volunteer program pairs volunteers like you with elementary school students to help improve reading, social, and classroom skills. This program is an organized partnership with the City of Hilliard Social Center and the Hilliard City School District.
Volunteers must have reliable transportation and be available during the preferred volunteer hours of 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. weekdays.
Steps to volunteer success:
Please submit this application form at least three weeks prior to any scheduled volunteer date to allow proper time for review and background checks.
Volunteer Process:
HRPD: Hilliard Rec & Parks Depart. | HCSD: Hilliard City School District
Volunteer Sign-up form: https://forms.office.com/r/LQqSU7vzcV
Our Opportunity Ambassadors program has launched with an inspiring start! This initiative connects our remarkable upperclassmen—students who gained invaluable skills through summer internships and apprenticeships—with younger peers eager to learn and grow. By sharing their firsthand experiences and real-world insights, these seasoned student leaders are bridging the gap between academics and the professional world, offering their peers a glimpse into what it takes to succeed.
In collaboration with Mason City Schools, we’ve introduced an exciting and innovative design challenge that places students at the heart of their future preparation. This challenge inspires critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity, encouraging students to craft solutions that drive personal and academic growth. By giving students an active role in shaping their learning journeys, we’re cultivating a culture of empowerment and opportunity.
This program exemplifies what happens when knowledge and mentorship combine to create lasting impact. Together, we’re not just imagining brighter futures—we’re actively building pathways for every student to achieve success.
