The HillSprings Learning Center was founded by a group of concerned families, educators and health care professionals who were grappling with the problem of inadequate resources for the many Pike Peak region's children with learning differences who were not getting the support they needed in the regular school environment. One of those founders, Janis Hannifin, had found The Hill Center in Durham, North Carolina and had made the dramatic step of moving there to get her son the assistance he so desperately needed. Based on the success Janis's son enjoyed at The Hill Center and the enthusiastic support of numerous volunteers and educators in the Colorado Springs area, the HillSprings Learning Center was established to bring The Hill Center model to the Pikes Peak region. (www.HillCenter.org) The facility opened in the fall of 2004.

Instruction in reading, writing and math is provided by HillSprings highly trained and certified teachers for 3 hours daily, either in a morning or afternoon session. Students also attend their home-based schools for a half day, to participate in other classes or extracurricular activities and to maintain relationships with friends and teachers. Along with academic skill acquisition, emphasis is placed on teaching compensatory strategies through a study skills curriculum, and monthly themes of success attributes such as perseverance, goal setting and self advocacy.

Since the center began, several components have been added. Those include an afterschool reading achievement program RAP, a study skills course, the Tutoring Connection and professional development workshops for teachers.