Academics
Program & Curriculum

Science

Curiosity in Action

Science at Seven Hills begins with big questions and exciting answers. From a child’s first “why?” in Early Childhood to Middle School design challenges, students dive into hands-on learning that stimulates scientific curiosity and critical thinking.

Whether observing a butterfly’s life cycle, designing a solar-powered invention, or engineering a solution to an environmental challenge, our students learn to see science as a powerful tool for discovery. Our nine-acre campus becomes a living laboratory where students explore gardens, collect data in the creek and pond, and contribute to eco-initiatives. These experiences inspire environmental stewardship and a deeper connection to the world around them.

Along the way, students build scientific habits that prepare them for deeper exploration:
  • Asking thoughtful questions
  • Solving problems creatively
  • Planning and conducting investigations
  • Making and recording observations
  • Interpreting data and drawing conclusions
  • Communicating findings with evidence
Lower School teaching resources are based on FOSS (Full Option Science System) and Mystery Science.

Curriculum by Grade

List of 4 items.

  • Early Childhood

    In Rainbow and Red Barn, science comes alive through sensory-rich encounters with the natural world. Children explore elements such as water, light, plants, and soil—strengthening their observation skills, asking questions, noticing patterns, and testing their ideas through hands-on play.
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  • Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

    In the primary grades, science is about exploration—using their senses to observe, question, and investigate the world around them. With an inquiry-based approach, children learn to think like scientists—asking open-ended questions, experimenting with tools, and drawing conclusions from what they see.
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  • 3rd - 5th Grade

    As students grow, they tackle increasingly complex scientific challenges. Project-based learning invites teamwork, research, data collection, and presentation. STEAM projects blend science with technology, engineering, art, and math, sparking creativity and innovation. A collaborative teaching model and flexible groupings provide personalized support and extended time for hands-on exploration.
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  • 6th - 8th Grade

    Middle School science at Seven Hills is dynamic and designed to prepare students for high school and beyond. Through experiments, labs, design challenges, and other hands-on and head-on experiences, students build a strong foundation in scientific knowledge, develop confidence in the lab, and explore how science shapes our world.
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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.