Academics

We are committed to the academic achievement of our students. Our curriculum addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of the whole child. Our students graduate well-prepared for success in their middle school years and beyond.

All-Day Kindergarten

In kindergarten, children learn how to learn. They work on skills like following directions, conflict resolution, and critical thinking. In kindergarten, they begin to understand cause-and-effect relationships and the importance of making good decisions. Kindergarten opens a child’s world of learning and whets their appetite to know about the world around them.

English Language Learning

We offer English language learning services to students whose first or primary language is one other than English. Hillside School follows a High-Intensity English as a Second Language program. Students receive two class periods of ESL instruction. Our program builds students’ English language proficiency and academic language skills together. The teachers provide push-in instruction for content area classes and daily pull-out instruction for ESL, which supports and develops reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. 

Fine Arts

Magdalena Abakanowicz, a sculptor, said, "Art does not solve problems but makes us aware of their existence." Arts education helps resolve problems. Research over the years indicates a link from art to academic achievement, emotional and social development, civic involvement, and equitable opportunity.

Hillside News Network (HNN)

Hillside News Network (HNN) is a daily live broadcast of the morning announcements here at Hillside School. On our 8:40 a.m. show, we feature special classroom events, interviews, weather forecasts, trivia, positive thoughts, yoga, book reviews, word games, and special guests.

The year is divided into five, two-month cycles during which dedicated fourth grade students make up the crew and announcers for most of the school year. We select third grade students for the final cycle in the spring. The HNN studio is located in the TLC/STEM lab.

Students who participate in HNN not only have a lot of fun, but they learn the importance of teamwork as well as get to hold two jobs on the HNN crew. We hope you’ll join us.

    Preschool

    We have built our preschool instruction on developing the social and emotional skills of our little ones through the use of rich play, games, toys, music, art, and movement. This form of instruction complements direct instruction focused on learning to count and matching letters to sounds and words. All together, both forms of instruction benefit our preschool students and prepare them for kindergarten.

    TLC/STEM Science Lab

    In our technical learning center, we engage students and teachers in quality, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning opportunities. We offer educational programs that are innovative and fun for the youth here at Hillside.

    Media Center

    Our school media center focuses on helping students and teachers consume and create information effectively and ethically. We encourage a lifelong love of reading. We provide opportunities to develop relevant and current technology skills. Find out more on our Media Center page.

    Academic Reporting

    Our school year consists of 181 days, divided into trimesters. Academic reporting occurs at the end of each trimester within the RealTime Parent Portal. Report cards are accessible through the portal around the beginning of December, the end of March, and at the conclusion of the school year in June. 

    Information About Standards Based Report Cards For Grades K–4

    ELL Report Cards
    For English-language learners, translations of the report cards can be found using the links below: