New Families

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• Summer Family Gatherings

  Over the summer, our parent volunteers set up grade-level gatherings for new and returning families. Whether at a local park or in a backyard, we hope these casual gatherings will offer a chance for new students to meet classmates and for new parents to meet new friends. We hope you will take advantage of this family-to-family welcome!

• Key Back-to-School Dates

  Our 2023-2024 school calendar is in final review and will be available soon. For now, please save these important back-to-school dates:
  
  

  • August 20: New Family Welcome Reception and Orientation (Adults Only), 4:00-6:00pm
  • August 25: ECE Student Orientation & Classroom Visits, 8:30am-12:00pm
  • August 25: 6th Grade Student Orientation, 1:00-4:00pm
  • August 25: Back to School BBQ and Meet Your Teacher, 4:00-6:00pm
  • August 28: First Day of School, ECE Early Dismissal, Welcome Back Brunch
  • September 4: Labor Day – No School
  • September 6: ECE Back to School Night
  • September 7: Middle School Back to School Night
  • September 12: Parent Involvement Association (PIA) Meeting
  • September 14: Lower School Back to School Night

• Pick-Up, Drop-Off, & Extended Day (XD)

  The earliest regular drop-off at school is 7:40am. If you need to drop off your child before 7:40, please sign them into Extended Day. Parents are welcome to park in the Equestrian Center and walk their student to their classroom.

  
  

  Pick-up for K-2 students is 2:30, 3:00 for 3rd-5th students, and 3:20 for Middle School students. With the exception of ECE families, the goal is that each family will come through afternoon carline ONCE at the dismissal of the oldest student.

  
  Extended Day (XD) is available daily from 7:00-8:30am and 1:30-6:00pm for ECE-8th grade students. Email Sammy Buono, Director of Extended Day and Enrichment, with any questions about Extended Day. Please visit the Extended Day page for more information and to sign up.

• Carline and Driving In and Out of Campus

  With narrow access lanes to and from campus, we ask for your cooperation and courtesy to ensure our children's safety.
  
  

  • Each family will be issued a color-coded placard with your family’s name before the first day of school, corresponding to your student’s division level. Before campus for drop-off or pick-up, please place the placard on the passenger side dashboard or visor so it will be visible to Seven Hills staff as you drive through.
  • Please use the left lane for thru traffic. The right lane is for dropping off and picking up children.
  • Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten parents must park and walk up to the classroom to sign their children in and out per licensing requirements.
    • ECE parking is allowed in the 7 or 30-minute drop-off zones which are at the very head of the drop-off circle. If it is after 8:30am or before 2:00pm, you may also park along the curb.
  • Additional details about carline procedures will be available before the start of school.

• Staying Connected - Communication

  Communication between home and school is a high priority at Seven Hills. Parents will receive additional communication from Head of School Kathleen McNamara and their division head during the first week of August. You will begin to receive the weekly Monday Memo newsletter on Saturday, August 19, which will be your go-to communication for practical and time-sensitive information about upcoming events and activities.

• Lower School Uniforms

  Land's End is Seven Hills' official provider of uniforms. All students in grades K-5 must wear a uniform; ECE and Middle School students do not require uniforms. Please visit our Seven Hills uniform site. Every Friday, K-5 students are allowed to choose their own clothing—this is referred to as free dress Friday.

  
  

  There is no need to purchase all of the items available for your child—you may pick and choose what you like, staying within the list of approved items. We also highly recommend rounding out your uniform collection with Second Time Around (see below). If your entire uniform doesn’t arrive exactly by the first day, please do not worry! Please review the Seven Hills Uniform FAQ page for further information.

   

  Students should wear rubber-soled, closed-toed shoes, such as tennis shoes. We ask that children not wear sandals, flip-flops, or shoes with slippery soles, as they are a safety hazard during recess and PE and limit a child’s mobility on campus.

• Second Time Around (STA)

  Seven Hills' Second Time Around (STA) shop offers parents the opportunity to find "gently worn" school uniform items at substantial savings of $5 per item.

  
  

  We will offer STA shopping opportunities at the Back to School BBQ prior to the start of school. Parents may also get a key from the front desk over the summer, open the Second Time Around closet and start shopping, and the cost will be added to their student's online account.

• Community Lunch

  Seven Hills offers a lunch program of well-balanced meals provided by our dining partner, Epicurean Group. Visit our Community Lunch page for more information.
  
  Daily snacks and lunch for all students are included in your tuition. Parents do not need to send any food with their students! Each day there is typically a daily hot and vegetarian/vegan entree and a salad bar including one or two sandwich options. A menu will be shared with families in advance.

• Summer Resources and Homework

  Our teachers put together a creative list of summer resources and assignments to help keep your child’s skills fresh this summer. The aim of summer homework is to provide engagement, enrichment, skills practice, and ongoing learning; it should not become a burdensome chore for families. We also encourage parents to read to, read next to, and read with their children this summer! More information about summer experiences, resources, and homework will be linked on the right side of this page in June 2024.