At the April 2013 Education Review Office (ERO) review of the school, Hillcrest High School had 1630 students, including 35 international students.

The school roll's gender composition was 47% male and 53% female, and its ethnic composition was 52% European New Zealanders (Pākehā), 20.5% Asian, 14% Māori, 7% other European, and 4% Pasifika.

[5] The school examines students using the New Zealand standard, National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

A wide variety of subjects can be taken at Hillcrest High, ranging from Visual Art to Mechanics, international languages as well as standard subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science.

Seven Hillcrest students received Top Scholar Awards from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority between 2002 and 2005.