A Chat with Principal of Hillside School

There’s a lot of excitement in the air with the recent start of the new school year at Hillside School in Tesoro Viejo! We recently had the pleasure of talking with the School’s Principal Kristi DeBernardi to take a deeper dive into who she is, and what she plans to bring to learning and education for the students at Tesoro Viejo. From being a teacher to helping to open Hillside School and truly investing in “Project-based learning,” get ready to get to know Principal DeBernardi. 

Tell us a little about your background

I’ve been in education for 24 years. Seven years ago I joined Chawanakee to open Hillside School after serving as a kindergarten and first grade teacher for 7 years and 7 years as a reading intervention specialist. I had the privilege of teaching at Hillside in its first three years. Since 2021, I’ve been a principal in Chawanakee Unified. 

What is your vision for the school?

At Hillside Elementary, my vision is to cultivate a dynamic school community where all of us—teachers, students, and parents—work together to pioneer innovative approaches for deeper learning and practical application. I’m committed to prioritizing science, integrating cross-curricular project-based learning (PBL), and providing tailored instruction and support to ensure every student thrives. When you walk through our classrooms, you will hear and see students thinking, learning, and problem-solving.

What will a child's experience be at Hillside School?

At Hillside, we established the guiding principle that every child is a shared responsibility. Whether a student is in Kindergarten or 8th Grade, our teachers—regardless of grade level—are familiar with each student and their unique qualities. We place students at the center of everything we do, recognizing that they are the heart of our community, the school, and every decision we make.

Our mission is to engage students in hands-on, experiential learning with a strong emphasis on science. Active learning is integrated into our daily routine, ensuring that students are continually engaged and inspired.

Our middle school students follow a dynamic schedule, rotating through core academic classes, PE, and a dedicated STEM course. In STEM, students apply their knowledge from science, math, engineering, and writing through hands-on labs and integrated projects. This course takes place in our state-of-the-art lab, equipped with college-level microscopes, 3D printers, and all the tools necessary for applied practice, fostering creativity and problem-solving.

What programs are important to you?

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, is always going to be a priority, and we want to make sure we give students all kinds of hands-on opportunities to apply what they’re learning in these areas. Book learning isn’t for all kids, so for example, if students are studying about erosion, let’s look at how they can build something to prevent erosion.

This year we will be partnering with InnovED for STEM learning in grades K-4. All of our 6-8 grade students will be taking a yearlong STEM enrichment class. We will also have Media Arts and Ag Sciences. Our focus is Project-based Learning at all grade levels, which I believe is an incredible way to engage students in learning in different ways.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning is a teaching method where students learn through real-world and meaningful projects. For example, if students are studying the environment and trying to solve a problem about lack of water, they might read about water conservation and alternative ways to use water and then look at a specific region like Madera County. They could collect and measure water, and study where water flows in Madera County, what water source is being used, and how other counties utilize alternative ways to collect water. They might also look at where the money comes to pay for this. It’s really interdisciplinary learning because they’re using different strategies across the curriculum including science, reading, geography, social studies, math, and financial literacy.

What kind of extracurricular programs are offered?

Every year, there will be four quarters of sports that any student can participate in regardless of athletic ability. Our athletics include everything from girls football to boys volleyball and snow skiing. We offer instrumental music, a local Artist offers high quality art classes and a church- run Good News Club. This year we are offering Innovation Clubs, and Lit League where students can participate in the Battle of the Books.

What's the future for Hillside?

Looking ahead, Hillside is ready to blossom. We are expanding opportunities for our 7th and 8th graders by offering a broader range of electives and the possibility of earning high school credits. Additionally, we are integrating more STEM into our curriculum and extending after-school enrichment programs in STEM and the arts. Our teachers are committed to prioritizing science and incorporating cross-curricular project-based learning, creating a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for all students.