The school was founded in 1942 as a not for profit day and boarding school for children of missionaries and other children as able. Today a majority of students come from Nigeria, with a good number of expatriate students. Admission is open for all. The school is owned and operated by a board of governors representing the Christian cooperating bodies involved in Hillcrest.
Annually, almost all graduates are admitted into the western university or college of their choice, in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, or New Zealand.