What makes Hilldale different from other schools and a better choice for your child?

Virtually every school you visit will tell you that they can provide your child with an outstanding education. Most will tell you that they are nurturing and success-oriented, and that they value cultural diversity and encourage the social and emotional growth of the children. After all, isn’t that what schools are all about? The question is, what do they mean by these things?   

Be sure to ask every school you visit: 

• How academically inclined is your curriculum?

• If we entrust our child to you in Kindergarten or in the lower elementary grades, will our graduating eighth grader be ready to step into an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate program when they leave your school?

• Will our child be self-sufficient, self-directed, self-confident, excited about learning, and a contributing member of society?

When you are visiting schools and trying to decide which one is the best for your child, we encourage you to keep these things in mind:

Class size has a huge effect on efficient learning. Ask any teacher which size they prefer and why!

Ask –

• Public schools average 20-30 students in a class, Catholic schools average 25-35, and most private schools average 18-25. How large are your classes?

Hilldale can provide every student a highly academic curriculum, because our classes have a low teacher/student ratio averaging 12:1 and no larger than 16:1 except in Kindergarten and Grade 1 with an aide. We believe that 12-16 students is the optimal number. This is large enough to have thoughtful discussions, but small enough to enable constant individual attention and individualization, when needed.

“Developmentally appropriate” and “student-centered” are often catch-words for a play-based or laissez-faire type of curriculum. These schools often suggest that the students’ interests should lead the curriculum.

Ask –

• How large are your classes?

• What do you mean by "developmentally appropriate?"

• What do you mean by “student-centered?”

• Don't all children need to be encouraged to strive for their highest level of achievement?

• Don't most children learn more if they are introduced to more?

• What about those children who don’t push for learning, but are nevertheless very capable; do they just miss out until they are “ready?”

• Aren't some children “ready” way before others?

• Is there any reason that my bright child shouldn’t go ahead and begin learning at a pace equal to what he can do and wants to do?

• Shouldn't all children receive a thorough and balanced curriculum?

Hilldale believes in challenging all children in appropriate ways and in giving every child a thorough and balanced curriculum necessary to become a truly “literate” American who has the background knowledge needed to grasp the full meaning of what he/she reads. We believe that children’s abilities are generally underestimated and that they can usually rise to that challenge if shown how to do so. We connect learning to world understanding and current events. This firm foundation and relevancy in turn gives them self-confidence and an excitement for further discovery.

Collaborative and project-based learning takes a lot more time to accomplish the end learning result, and this methodology generally includes a lot of “fluff.” The tendency is that the curriculum must be simplified or reduced in order to always deliver it that way. In addition, brighter children tend to get bored when they have to work with those who are not as bright, so group learning is not as beneficial for them. Therefore, schools which do mostly project-based or collaborative learning may not provide the most complete education, or they may be choosing this method because they do not have sufficient excellent textbook resources.

Ask –

• Do you cover the full textbooks and then go beyond them to have the children use the material they have learned?

• How do you handle children who are way ahead of the others?

Hilldale believes that the textbook material at each grade level represents the minimum that a student should know, and that this information is a stepping stone to more complicated and exciting educational material. We use a combination of explicit instruction, thoughtful group discussions, and appropriate individual and group projects which challenge the intellect and extend student learning. Occasional group projects are used for team-building purposes. We rarely have a child who feels bored, because there are always ways to challenge and extend the accelerated learning that Hilldale already provides.

A stress on individuality and creativity is sometimes a mask for a lack of discipline and strong academics.

Ask –

• Do all of your students complete the goals for this grade’s curriculum?

• What is the general makeup of the classes? Will my bright child be one of only a few (and therefore quickly become bored)?

• Are the children first given the informational tools and then asked to use their individuality and creativity, or are they just asked to be creative without the information?

Hilldale gives students a solid curricular base before turning them loose on creative projects, so that they can gain a greater depth of understanding of the material they have learned. At the same time, we believe fervently in providing instruction in art, music, drama, and speaking/debate skills, and we find ways to supplement the academics with these disciplines. The important thing is that there should be balance, so that children can tap into their creative side along with their intellect. Unfortunately, many schools cannot provide these “extras” due to budget cuts and insufficient school time.

If a school says they are accelerated, be sure to ask to see the reading and writing level of the Kindergarteners and first graders. These will give you an idea of what is to come and what the eventual outcome of the school’s education will be.

Ask –

• What do you mean by accelerated?

• Are your students tested before entering?

• Are your first graders able to read and discuss beginning chapter books leading up to Charlotte’s Web?

• Are your children using 3-paragraph form and doing research reports in second grade?

• Do your third graders do science projects and understand the scientific method?

• Do your sixth graders discuss the effects humans have on the environment?

• Do your eighth graders complete what would normally be done in a top-notch ninth grade?

While they are not necessarily "gifted," our children are tested before entrance to try to determine whether or not they will thrive in an accelerated program and to ensure that there will be a fairly uniform ability and preparation level in each class. This helps to ensure that our teachers will be able to teach to higher levels and that our students will not become bored or be held back by remediation of lower level students. Beginning in the second half of Kindergarten, Hilldale’s classes are taught at a level at least a year ahead, and they aim to be much more in depth than the California standards. Our classes use the best textbooks and educational materials we can find for each subject area, and we are constantly seeking improvements. We have high expectations for our children, and we stress that they need to “rise to the challenge” of doing their best work and looking for ways to further their knowledge, talents, and skills.

Religious education is often stressed over academics.

Ask –

• Is religion a regular part of your curriculum, either through weekly meetings or within the academic instruction?

• Does it take time away from the regular academics?

• If a parent does not subscribe to that religion, are there alternatives?

No religion is taught at Hilldale; we welcome all faiths and persuasions and all ethnic groups. In fact, our student body is richly diverse, with approximately 85-90% of our families having at least one parent from another country and many speaking a second language at home. Consequently, we  teach “Ethics,” which are general principles of  character relevant to all of human kind, and we stress international knowledge and understanding.

Foreign language learning is often seen as either unnecessary at early ages or an “extra” which may help, but is treated as relatively unimportant.

Ask –

• How do you treat foreign languages in your curriculum?

• What fluency level do the students reach by the eighth grade?

Hilldale believes that learning a foreign language not only facilitates international understanding, but it also strengthens one’s basic ability to learn by helping to create brain connections one might not otherwise have. We start Spanish in Pre-Kindergarten, when it is easiest to learn a foreign language, and by eighth grade, our students have the equivalent of about three to four years of high school language training and an ease of communication that will allow them to build on this base if they choose to do so. We plan to offer other languages in the future.

Extended care has become almost a necessity in this day and age, as most families need both parents to work.

Ask –

• How much does your extended care cost?

• What is included?

Hilldale’s extended care is free! We include general care in the mornings from 7:30 - 8:30 and homework supervision, workshops, and free play in the afternoons from 3:30 - 6:00. Any child can take part, either regularly or on a drop-in basis.

The school facility and setting sometimes seem like the most important thing to parents who are touring. But are they really important?

Admittedly, Hilldale’s school buildings are old, and we wish we had something better. (Hopefully, we will some day!) But our hill-top setting with its huge old trees and spectacular view is absolutely superb and safe, kind of like an “oasis in the city,” and the older buildings give our school a home-school feeling set far away from the city hustle and crowds. With this setting, we can concentrate on learning, and we can have a close-knit community where everyone plays together, gets along with everyone else, and supports each other in their quest for knowledge. After all, isn’t that what a great education is all about?

The cost of good schooling varies widely.

Hilldale prides itself on being a mid-budget private school which is more affordable than most and which allows families to keep more of their hard-earned salaries for family activities. Yes, this means that we do not have state of the art buildings. But our educational results speak for themselves. At Hilldale your child will get an outstanding education which can lead to the superior high school programs needed to get into the better colleges and to succeed in life. At Hilldale your child will become self-sufficient, self-directed, self-confident, excited about learning, and a contributing member of society.