The origins of Hillcrest International Schools started with Hillcrest Preparatory School. It was established in 1965, by educationalist Dorothy Noad and long-serving government employee Frank Thompson.

Hillcrest Preparatory secured its international school status in 1972, when it became a member of IAPS. Consequently joining a group of British Curriculum schools across the world. Concurrently, the idea was advanced for Hillcrest to expand its educational offering to include a Secondary School.

Hillcrest Secondary School was established in 1975, being built in the current school’s location. It started with an enrollment of 54 students and three classrooms. At the time, it was among a few schools offering students Cambridge Overseas ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examination and certification.