Next week signals the start of a new school year at Hillcrest Academy and the community has come together in August to volunteer their time and effort to make sure that campus is ready for students. Members of the community have focused work on landscaping, cleaning, maintenance and repairs of grounds inside and outside of the building to make sure that the facilities are ready for students to learn and athletes to compete. The Ravens open the fall sports season Monday when the Hillcrest volleyball team travels for a varsity tournament at Keota against English Valleys, Highland, Lone Tree, Tri-County and the Eagles. The Raven cross country team opens the season on their home course for their annual Early Bird event August 30th when Cedar Rapids Jefferson, English Valleys, Highland, City High, Lone Tree, WACO, Wapello, Cedar Rapids Washington and Winfield-Mt. Union pay a visit. The first day of classes at Hillcrest Academy is Tuesday, August 23rd.