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Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
The Basics
Q. What is an independent school?
A. An independent school is privately supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions, and endowment revenue. Each independent school has its own mission and approach to the education of its students. The Seven Hills School mission is to "develop the intellect, engage the spirit, and foster respect for and responsibility to our world". This mission is woven through our entire community of students, parents, faculty, administrators and trustees.
Q. How are independent schools different?
A. Independent schools are close-knit communities in which your child can be known. At Seven Hills, we are committed to challenging students to stretch their minds and offer rigorous academic programs in hands-on learning environments. We also go beyond academics to develop responsible, independent, and community-oriented students. All of this is possible because Seven Hills teachers know their students – their strengths and areas in need of support, their passions and learning styles. Independent schools encourage teachers to be creative and flexible so students can reach their full potential. With more autonomy within the classroom, teachers are able to construct unique learning experiences.
Q. How is Seven Hills School governed?
A. Seven Hills School is a nonprofit entity, governed by a board comprised of parents, educators, and community leaders. The board is independent – it sets policy, defines mission, and provides general oversight for the institution.
Q. How is Seven Hills School held accountable?
A. A Board of Trustees is committed to providing a high quality education for students. Independent schools are directly accountable to the parents and students they serve. The faculty, administrators and trustees collaborate regularly to ensure that the highest educational standards are met. We are accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), a highly respected and valued organization within the educational community. The Seven Hills School is also a member of the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools).
The School Program and Academics
A Seven Hills’ education is characterized by a multitude of active learning experiences, within a well-integrated program of studies. The school teaches students to think, analyze, and find creative solutions to problems, while mastering necessary skills and competencies. To best prepare students, the Seven Hills faculty integrates curriculum areas and presents lessons so that children are active learners, not passive listeners.
Q. What is the length of the Seven Hills school day?
A. Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00,
Kindergarten through 2nd Grade hours are 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
3rd Grade through 5th Grade hours are 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Middle School hours are 8:00am to 3:20 p.m.
Seven Hills’ Extended Day program runs from 7:30am until 6:00pm. Please click here for more information on Extended Day.
A. In preschool and pre-Kindergarten, Seven Hills has a teacher:student ratio of 1:7 and 1:8, respectively. These ratios are below the 1:12 governed by the State of California. We target 2 classes of 18/19 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, and 2 classes of 20 in 6th through 8th grades. If the addition of one more child would enhance the overall academic or social experience of the class, we may add one more student to a class.
Q. How is the Seven Hills curriculum determined?
A. Our curriculum reflects the mission of Seven Hills. With California state standards and framework as a base, administrators and teachers work cooperatively to craft innovative curricula designed to challenge students to achieve academic excellence while fostering a love of learning.
Q. How can I get my child ready for the challenging academics of Seven Hills?
A.. In the younger grades, you can relax. Seven Hills teachers are quite adept at getting to know student’s abilities at the start of the school year and differentiating instruction accordingly. In the older grades, your child’s new teacher may send a summer packet home for completion before school starts. In either case, we want to reduce your and your child’s anxiety about a new school – he or she will be welcomed and folded into the curriculum from the first day.
Q. My child is working above grade level in certain areas. How will he be challenged at Seven Hills?
A. We have a number of students working above grade level in specific areas. Because of small class size, a stimulating open-ended curriculum, and experienced teachers, our students are engaged and appropriately challenged within their classroom. Currently, more than two-thirds of the 5th through 8th grade students qualify for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Program, a national benchmark for high achievement.
Q. In addition to the core curriculum, do Seven Hills students participate in special classes?
A. - The Rainbow (3 year olds) and Pre-Kindergarten programs include library every week.
- Kindergarten through 5th Grades take art, computer, library, music, P.E. and Spanish.
- The Middle School curriculum includes integrated expressive arts, foreign languages, library, P.E., and transitions (6th Grade).
Q. What foreign language instruction is offered and when?
A. Spanish begins in Kindergarten and continues through 5th Grade. In the 6th Grade, students decide whether or not to continue with Spanish or to begin French, both of which are offered in the 6th through 8th Grades.
Q. Are academics taught in Rainbow (3 year-old children) program?
A. The Rainbow Program for 3-year-olds emphasizes developmentally appropriate activities that allow children to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Meaningful play, based on a child’s individual needs, builds these important foundations for the future. Learning is sensory-based, as a child gathers meaning from the world through the experiences of touching, hearing, smelling, seeing and tasting. The classroom has an open structure in which a child is free to choose individual areas of interest. All activities and learning are based on play. Please click here for a more thorough description of Seven Hills’ preschool program
Q. Do Seven Hills students go on field trips?
A. Field trips are an important aspect of the curriculum at Seven Hills. They are carefully chosen and planned to enrich the classroom learning experience. Typically, students go on several field trips a year.
In the Middle School, students participate in multi-day trips to destinations within California, to Washington DC, to Japan and elsewhere that can provide first-hand exposure to people and places as well as hands-on learning experiences. For example, the Middle School students go on an outdoor science adventure in 6th grade; Washington DC in 7th grade; and Ashland, Oregon and Japan in 8th grade
Q. What types of teachers are at Seven Hills and what credentials do they hold?
A. You will find an exciting range of educators at Seven Hills, all of whom share a commitment to students and to the pursuit of academic excellence. Teachers hold either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree and a teaching credential. Several of our teachers hold a Masters Degree. Our teachers have taught an average of 11 years at Seven Hills, and have total teaching experience, on average, of 15 years.
Seven Hills has made a tremendous commitment to ongoing professional development. Our teachers are lifelong learners themselves – intent on keeping up on the latest in educational trends and best practices, so that your child gets the best possible education. Please click here to learn more about our teachers.
Q. Where do graduates of Seven Hills go on to high school?
A. The best high school for each student is the school where that student will thrive. Each year most of our graduates attend their “first choice” high school. Typically our students are accepted to Athenian, Bentley, Carondelet, College Prep, De La Salle, and Head Royce. Each year, a few attend boarding school. Approximately 40% of our students continue their education at local public schools.
Diversity at Seven Hills
Q. What is the percentage of student diversity at Seven Hills?
A. 30% of the student body represents a diverse population. This is an important pillar of Seven Hills’ mission and we work hard to include a diverse student group, while learning as much as we can from our differences. Please click here to learn more about our diversity efforts
Q. How are other cultures brought into the Seven Hills curriculum?
A. Diverse cultures are incorporated into the curriculum in many different ways. We have an Open Door committee - comprised of parents, faculty and administration - which plans community events and curricular opportunities reflecting various forms of inclusion. During the holiday season, for example, we celebrate the students’ cultural heritage through research, songs, plays, presentations and feasts. Also, the curriculum guide developed at Seven Hills titled, "“Respect for All”, is an excellent resource for teachers.
Other Aspects of School Life
Q. Is there an extended day program?
A. The Extended Day Program at Seven Hills shares the same mission and philosophy as the school day program. Careful consideration is given to the needs of the children it serves. Nutritious snacks are served, rest and nap times are provided for the youngest children, and a homework period is designated for children from grades one to eight. This service is available from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for Seven Hills students.
A variety of after-school classes extend and complement students’ learning experience. Offerings may include Chess, Hip Hop Dance, Creative Writing, Drama, Somersaults and Spanish. Classes are open to the general public.
Each summer, Seven Hills hosts our Shargel Science Camp for students ages 7-14. We also lease campus space to three other camps: the Adventure Day Camp, Little Dippers Swim School and the California Science Camp. Whether your child enjoys physical activity, arts and crafts, academic projects, or simply lots of summer fun and adventure, there is a full range of choices for children ages 3 to 13.
Q. Does Seven Hills have an after- school sports program?
A. Seven Hills School has a strong commitment to its Middle School athletic program for both boys and girls. Participation is open to all who want to participate. We encourage participation not just among the most skilled, but also among those students who would like to learn a new sport or build upon the skills that they already have. We compete with other Middle Schools in the area and participate in the following sports:
Fall sports—girls volleyball, coed football, coed golf
Winter sports—girls and boys basketball, boys lacrosse
Spring sports—softball, track and field, coed golf
Q. Does Seven Hills offer before and after school transportation for students?
A. Seven Hills offered van service for students in several local communities in the 2010-11 school year but the vendor was unable to continue due to business issues unrelated to Seven Hills.
We are currently looking for a high-quality, reasonably-priced provider because we know that safe, dependable transportation is critical to working parents. We will update this section as we know more.
Q. Do Seven Hills students wear uniforms?
A. Preschool and pre-K students wear clothes that are comfortable and can get dirty. Uniforms are required for Lower School students in Kindergarten through 5th Grades. Seven Hills has selected its uniform for style, fit, price, durability and appropriateness for our climate and campus. Middle School students are not required to wear uniforms, but a common sense dress code encourages good taste and dress that does not distract from the learning process.
Q. How are parents involved at Seven Hills?
A. Our partnership with parents has a long history at Seven Hills. Parents support the school with financial contributions and generous donations of time and talent. The high quality and wide variety of programs are possible because of parents’ generosity and commitment. While each family is required to serve a minimum of 16 hours a year, they typically go beyond this expectation. In aggregate, parent volunteers have worked the number of hours equivalent to 7 full-time people.
Q. How is discipline addressed?
A. The goal of the Seven Hills School is to create a positive learning environment that engenders the qualities of respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion in our students. This environment promotes a cooperative approach to solving discipline problems at school, which is beneficial for students, faculty members and families.
On those rare occasions when a student is unable to follow the common sense rules of the school, disciplinary steps are taken. The school maintains a zero tolerance policy for threats, harassment or acts of violence against the school or people in the school.
FinancesQ. Is there a Tuition Assistance program?
A. Although we cannot offer 100% tuition for a student, we do have a robust tuition assistance program for families with demonstrated need. Tuition assistance covers preschool through 8th grade and interested parents go through an application process. Please click here for more information about the tuition assistance process.
Q. What other costs are there at Seven Hills besides the tuition? What total cost can I anticipate?
A. Seven Hills tuition covers all books, supplies, computers, day-long field trips, yearbooks, and after-school sports. Extra costs incurred are: uniforms (used or new) and backpacks, and the following multi-day fieldtrips:
- 5th Grade: week in Yosemite (about $800)
- 6th Grade: week of outdoor science exploration (about $750)
- 7th Grade: week in Washington DC (about $2700)
- 8th Grade: week in Ashland OR (about $800) and 2 weeks in Japan (about $2300)
We set aside a portion of Seven Hills tuition assistance fund to help families with demonstrated need afford these trips. We want all Seven Hills students to participate.
One more expense of a Seven Hills education is participation in our annual giving campaign. There is a $2100 gap between Seven Hills tuition and the actual cost of educating each child. During registration, you will be encouraged to give, as much as is possible, to close this gap. In the 2010-11 school year, annual giving contributed almost 8% of Seven Hills’ operating budget and helped fund programs that are integral to a Seven Hills education.
Finally, Seven Hills parents are encouraged to get involved in our annual auction by a) donating goods and services, b) volunteering time and talent and/or c) participating in the event.
Q. My family is not affluent. How well would we fit in with current Seven Hills families?
A. We’re proud of our small community and the many ways it allows us to provide high quality educational experiences for our students. Our students come from a range of backgrounds, which we believe contributes to the depth and quality of the classroom experience for all students. We have families of substantial means, families in receipt of financial aid, and families whose child is receiving a full scholarship.
These questions and answers are intended to help you know more about our program. If you have a question not addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact us. Remember, the very best way for you to learn about Seven Hills is to come to our campus for a tour. We look forward to meeting you!
To schedule a tour, please click here. To start the application process, please click here. For more information regarding admissions, please contact Susanne Goldman, Director of Admissions and Tuition Assistance, at (925) 933-0666 ext. 4984 or by email.
