Extension and enrichment are features of both curriculum and co-curricular programmes at all levels at Hillcrest High School. At Years 9 & 10, all students participate in a Careers Pathway Programme while students identified as gifted and talented have opportunities to participate in programmes such as JEEP (Junior Extension and Enrichment Programme) and Sports Development.

The further development of links with Waikato University, which is situated in Hillcrest, are continually explored and utilised to enrich learning for students. Selected students are currently able to study level one university papers in Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics and Maori.

There are opportunities to extend and enrich learning at senior levels through Scholarship and Cambridge classes and participation in national and international Mathematics, international languages, English. Science, Art, Maori, Economics and Computer Science competitions. The Monetary Policy Challenge and university based lectures and activities are also part of the programmes. There is an extensive itinerant music programme in the school and all students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular programmes.