Discover Our Campus Designed to Inspire Discovery & Exploration
Nestled on nine acres of serene former ranchland behind Heather Farm Park, the Seven Hills campus is a haven for learners of all ages. Our beautiful, natural setting not only supports the needs of 21st-century students but also serves as a “third teacher,” fostering a deep appreciation for the environment and a sense of stewardship.
More than just a scenic backdrop, our campus is designed to be an inviting, safe, and nurturing learning environment. With bright, modern classrooms and expansive outdoor spaces, students experience the entire campus as their classroom—moving seamlessly between indoor and outdoor learning.
The best way to experience our campus is to see it for yourself! As you explore, you might find students conducting science experiments in the creek, feeding chickens in the coop, bringing concepts to life in our maker space, or curling up with a book beneath our canopy classroom. Every corner of Seven Hills is intentionally designed to inspire collaboration and new ideas.
There are three teachers of children: adults, other children, and their physical environment.
The Creek
The creek weaving through our Lower School playground is a treasured space for discovery and hands-on learning. Here, students immerse themselves in science by studying water flow and tackling challenges like clearing leaves from the creek’s filter. This favorite spot also instills important lessons in environmental stewardship, with students actively participating in creek clean-ups. During recess, you'll often find students wading through the creek, eagerly searching for tadpoles and other signs of life.
The Chicken Coop
Caring for Seven Hills’ more than two dozen chickens has a profound impact on our students. Through this experience, they learn to bond with and nurture living creatures, embrace principles of environmental stewardship, and enjoy the process of collecting, cooking, and tasting fresh eggs. Students also study the chickens' life cycle and engage in community service by donating eggs to organizations such as the Food Bank of Contra Costa County and Solano.
The Pond
Our koi pond is a cherished learning spot where students immerse themselves in the study of life around them. Preschool children visit the pond during nature walks, exploring the water and observing the fish as part of their environmental studies. Lower School students frequently gather around the pond for group projects, while Middle School students take water samples to study under microscopes in our science labs.
Julian Rettger Library
Our bright and welcoming library houses a collection of over 15,000 books and features cozy spaces for reading and collaboration. This hub of creativity and learning provides flexible and equitable access to information, tools, and educational resources to meet the diverse needs of all learners. Early grades visit weekly for storytime and book checkout, while older students frequently use the library for research, projects, and independent reading.
Athletics Facilities
Our athletics facilities are hubs of activity, hosting P.E. classes, recess, advisory games, and Middle School sports practices and games. Key facilities include the Hunt Hall gym with a basketball court, rock climbing wall, and versatile stadium seating, an outdoor sports court, and a large turf field. The gym also serves as a gathering space for students, parents, guardians, faculty, and staff—hosting assemblies, special events, performances, and graduations, fostering a sense of community and celebration.
Science Lab
Our Middle School science lab is a space where students engage in hands-on learning and tackle real-world problems. With direct access to outdoor space, this flexible lab allows students to spread out, build, design, tinker, and create. The lab is equipped with a laser cutter, 3D printers, and other design tools, and recently acquired an electron microscope, enabling students to explore specimens with stunning magnification.
Theater
Our 140-seat, state-of-the-art theater offers students a professional setting to showcase their talents while building confidence, character, and self-esteem. It also serves as a hands-on learning space, where students gain experience in lighting, sound design, set construction, costume creation, and prop making.
Art Studio and Kiln
Our vibrant, colorful, and inspiring Lower School art studio provides ample space for students to contemplate, create, and showcase their art projects. The studio arts program also features an outdoor kiln for ceramics, supporting a wide range of artistic endeavors and encouraging creative expression.
Linden's Orchard Lane
In 2016, students and Linden Van Wert, Seven Hills’ Green Ombudsman and former librarian, planted 77 trees in our orchard, creating a vibrant green space. The road leading into campus, adjacent to the orchard, is named Linden’s Orchard Lane in gratitude for her dedication to the school’s green initiatives. This orchard symbolizes our commitment to environmental sustainability and education.
Flexible Learning Spaces
At Seven Hills, we prioritize student choice and engagement by valuing their ability to manipulate their physical environment. Flexible classrooms across campus feature seating options such as rugs, bean bags, and other portable seating, allowing students to learn in ways that optimize their engagement and comfort.
Canopy Classroom
Tucked beneath the sweeping branches of a Valley Oak at the entrance to campus, the Canopy Classroom is a natural extension of our outdoor learning environment and a symbol of student initiative. Built with care and intention by a determined class of 3rd graders, it’s a place where nature and learning meet—offering a quiet spot for reflection, a shady escape on a warm day, and a welcoming setting for big ideas to take root.
975 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
The School admits students of any race, color, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.