We believe extracurricular activities, sports, fitness, and recreation programs are integral to the education and rehabilitation of students who have educational and emotional needs, as well as ,learning disabilities like attention deficit disorder. 

Team sports, in particular, such as basketball, baseball, volleyball, and cheerleading, help our children and troubled teens develop coordination and self-control, learn team-building skills, and use exercise and play as an outlet for their emotions and stress.  Indirectly, but just as important, students in our special education program gain an improved body image as well as build their confidence and self-esteem.  Athletic pursuits often foster the development of social skills and build lasting friendships, which are incredibly important to children in foster care. 

In addition to team sports, Hillsides Education Center offers:

• Theatre Class/Performances
• Chess Club
• Student Government
• Magic Club

Two new activities have been developed during the last year: Chemistry Club and Robot Team.

Chemistry Club – New to HEC, the Chemistry Club was created when a group of our high school students asked our chemistry teacher to conduct science and chemistry experiments after school. The students learn to apply knowledge of basic chemistry to solve everyday problems, conduct experiments, and observe the results.  Our students use scientific applications to explore the role of chemistry and science in our world, and have performed experiments measuring gas emissions from air/gas propulsion vehicles and alternative energy sources, as well as gases that are emitted during recycling.

The Robot Team – Students on the HEC Robot Team build robots out of Legos with motors, servos, and a small “brain” that is programmed by a computer. The robots navigate obstacle courses and perform tasks in a robot “challenge” against robot teams from other schools. Last year was HEC’s first participation in the Lego robot challenge, and we took fourth place at a Los Angeles tournament. The tournaments are for children age 13 and younger, and they were so popular with our students that they have already signed up for next year’s HEC Robot Team.