About
Highcliff Elementary School is one of four elementary schools in the North Hills School District and serves students in grades K-5.
School Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Delay: Buses delayed 2 hours, Classes start at 10:30 a.m.
Contact Us
156 Peony Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Phone: 412-318-1582
Fax: 412-318-1584
Principal
Kristina Bilderback
Kristina “Kristy” Bilderback has served as principal of Highcliff Elementary School since July of 2015.
Prior to North Hills, she was a fifth grade teacher for more than a decade at Bel Air Elementary School in Bel Air, Maryland. She started her career as a seventh-grade language-arts teacher at Magnolia Middle School in Joppa, Maryland.
Bilderback has a bachelor's degree in education with a certificate in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also has a master's degree in teaching with a specialization in administration from Notre Dame of Maryland University.
In 2021, she was named a Most Valuable Principal by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Most Valuable Principal (MVP) program, in partnership with Allegheny Intermediate Unit and The Grable Foundation, recognizes principals who demonstrate an innovative approach to learning, a continuous strive for excellence and a passion for their school and students.
Assistant Principal
Heather Scanlon
Dr. Heather Scanlon has served as assistant principal of Highcliff Elementary School since August 2026.
Her background spans public and private elementary and special education, literacy, career readiness, student-support programming, and leadership development.
Throughout her career, Dr. Scanlon has led initiatives in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), curriculum design, data analysis, and transition planning. She is committed to high academic expectations, a positive school culture, and strong relationships among students, staff, and families.
Dr. Scanlon earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education, a master’s degree as a reading specialist, and principal certification from Pennsylvania Western University. She also holds a doctorate in leadership and administration from Point Park University.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family.