The mission of the Platteville School District, in partnership with family and community, is to empower individuals to become life-long learners who will have the vision and skills to manage change and improve the world we share.

Students will maximize their potential through individual learning plans that are based on the diverse experiences available in our unique rural, educational, industrial and commercial environment.

The Origins of the Platteville Hillmen:
In 1939, an infamous few words were put into print. In a recollection of the Platteville defeat of Darlington, detailed in the Tailings, it was written that "Coach Hill's grid men finished their season of trouncing the "Big Red Machine" from Darlington..." Little did the author know at that time what he had done. Beginning with the 1940 season, the football players were known as "Hill's Grid Men." This name stuck, later being shortened to "Hill's Men." The team proudly referred to themselves as such for several seasons.
In 1945, the student body, school administration, and school board adopted the name "Hillmen" as the official nickname of Platteville High School. Since 1945, every athletic team has been known as the Hillmen, in his honor.
Wilford P. Hill retired from Platteville High School in 1964 after 44 years of teaching and 100 seasons of coaching. He was one of the most respected and revered teachers to have ever taught at PHS. His 44 years of service continues to stand as one of the longest tenures of any staff member to have worked in the Platteville School District. During his time in Platteville, Mr. Hill also managed the Platteville Swimming Pool, was the district athletic director, served on the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) rules advisory committee, was treasurer for Holy Trinity Church and the Kiwanis Club.He also did community service work, acting as head of the Community Chest, was director of the Grant County Historical Society, and was chairman of the Cunningham Museum Board. Coach Hill was also honored as a member of both the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame (inducted 1995) and the Wisconsin High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (inducted 1981), an honor bestowed on very few coaches in Wisconsin history, in addition Hill Field at Legion Park was also named in his honor.
The Platteville Hillmen are the only school in Wisconsin whose nickname is in recognition of an individual from their school and community. We recognize Coach Hill’s character, leadership, integrity, and commitment to our community, each time the Hillmen take the field, court, stage, pool, mat, or floor. The Hillmen Way is built on the legacy and inspiration of Mr. Hill.

As a district, we follow this tradition of excellence and strive to live out the values and goals of the “The Hillmen Way” each and every day in all that we do.