Our Students Speak: Pride, Connection, and Growth at Hill-Murray
Dear Hill-Murray Community,
Each fall, we take time to listen closely to our students through our annual student experience survey. Their voices matter deeply, they help us understand what’s working well and where we can continue to grow. I’m delighted to share that this year’s results reflect a student body that feels deeply connected, well-supported, and proud to be part of the Hill-Murray community.
Nearly nine out of ten students (88.4%) told us they are very satisfied with their Hill-Murray experience overall. That’s an encouraging sign that our mission to nurture faith, knowledge, and character in every student is truly being lived out in our classrooms, hallways, and throughout the campus.
Students also spoke highly of their teachers. An impressive 88.7% said they could name more than one teacher or staff member who truly cares about their success. Over and over, students praised our faculty for their dedication, support, and ability to make learning meaningful. It’s also affirming that 80.4% rated the quality of instruction as high, and 86.4% said they feel well prepared for college and life after high school.
Beyond the classroom, students recognize the many opportunities they have to get involved. 94.8% agreed that Hill-Murray offers abundant options for participation in sports, clubs, and activities. Our sense of community, school spirit, and inclusion were frequently mentioned as some of the best parts of being a Pioneer. Many students wrote about feeling known, encouraged, and inspired to be their best selves.
Of course, our students were also honest about where we can improve. We value that honesty. The most common requests centered around food and lunch options, including a desire for more variety and shorter lines. Students also mentioned facilities (particularly air conditioning and bathroom upkeep), parking and traffic flow, and some concerns about policies, such as the Yondr phone pouches. These are all areas we’re reviewing closely, and we’ll continue to seek solutions that make daily life at Hill-Murray more comfortable and efficient for everyone.
Our Net Promoter Score (NPS)—which measures how likely students are to recommend Hill-Murray to others, came in at 42.3. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, student NPS scores above 30 are considered “best in class” and reflect a high level of excellence. In the educational landscape, this is an outstanding result, demonstrating that our students are not only highly satisfied but also proud to call Hill-Murray home.
What strikes me most about these results is the spirit behind them. So many students described our teachers as caring, our community as welcoming, and our academics as both challenging and rewarding. Even among those who offered constructive criticism, there was a clear sense of belonging and pride.
I am deeply grateful for your partnership. Your support allows us to create an environment where students are supported and challenged to grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I’d love your help in inviting future Pioneers to our 2025 Hill-Murray Fall Open House on October 20th! The evening begins with an Activities Fair at 6:00 PM, followed by our Opening Program at 6:40 PM. It’s a great opportunity for families to explore our campus, meet teachers and coaches, and experience the Pioneer community firsthand.
If you know families who might be interested in learning more about Hill-Murray, please share this invitation, we’d love to welcome them!
With gratitude,
Melissa Dan, Ed.S.
Hill-Murray School President
