New Families

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• Summer Family Gatherings

  Summer is the perfect time to begin building connections! Our amazing parent volunteers host casual grade-level get-togethers for new and returning families alike—often at local parks or in neighborhood backyards. These relaxed gatherings are a great way for children to meet future classmates and for parents to begin forming friendships within the Seven Hills community. We hope you’ll join us for these warm, family-to-family welcomes!

• Key Back-to-School Dates

  Our 2025-2026 school calendar will be available soon. For now, please save these important back-to-school dates:
  
  

  August 17: New Family Welcome Reception (Adults Only), 4:00-6:00pm

  August 21: Kindergarten Parent/Guardian Orientation (Zoom), 8:30-9:30am

  August 22: ECE Student Orientation & Classroom Visits, 8:30am-12:00pm

  August 22: 6th Grade Student Orientation, 1:00-4:00pm

  August 22: 6th Grade Parent/Guardian Orientation, 3:00-4:00pm

  August 22: Back to School BBQ and Meet Your Teacher, 4:00-6:00pm

  August 25: First Day of School, ECE Early Dismissal, Welcome Back Brunch

  September 1: Labor Day – No School

  September 3: ECE Back to School Night

  September 4: Middle School Back to School Night

  September 11: Lower School Back to School Night
  September 12: Parent Involvement Association (PIA) Meeting

• Drop-Off, Pick-Up, Before & After School Care

  ECE (Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten)

  • Drop-Off: Begins at 8:30am. Our Early Care program opens at 7:30am—be sure to register in advance. Parents can utilize designated parking areas including ECE 7-minute parking, 30-minute parking, or the Equestrian Center. For licensing purposes, ECE students must be signed in and out at their classroom by a parent or guardian using the Homeroom app.
  • Pick-Up: Regular dismissal is at 2:00pm. Families with children in other divisions can either pick up their ECE student first and then use the afternoon carline, or wait and collect their older child on foot.
  • Aftercare: Available daily from 2:00-5:30pm.
  • Questions? Reach out to Daphna Klugman, Director of ECE.

  
  

  K–8

  • Drop-Off: Begins at 7:40am. For earlier care, students may be enrolled in our Extended Day (XD) program starting at 7:00am. Parents may also utilize parking at the Equestrian Center and accompany their student to their classroom.
  • Pick-Up Times:

  K–2: 2:30pm
  Grades 3–5: 3:00pm
  Middle School: 3:20pm

  Families (except those with ECE children) should plan to use carline once per day, timed with their oldest child’s dismissal.

  • Aftercare: Extended Day runs until 5:30pm daily.

  For more info or help with enrollment, contact Sammy Buono, Director of Extended Day, or visit the Before and After School Resource Board in JagZone.

• Carline & Campus Traffic Guidelines

  With narrow lanes on campus, safety and courtesy are essential. Here's how we work together to keep things moving smoothly:

  • Each family will receive a color-coded placard with your student’s division and family name. Please display it clearly on your dashboard for staff visibility during drop-off and pick-up.
  • Use the left lane for through traffic and the right lane for student drop-off/pick-up.
  • ECE families must park and walk their child to class. ECE-designated 7- or 30-minute parking is located at the front circle, with additional curbside parking available outside the 8:30am–2:00pm window.

  
  More detailed carline instructions will be shared ahead of the first day.

• Staying Connected - Communication

  We care deeply about strong communication between home and school. You’ll hear from Head of School Kathleen McNamara and your division head in early August with helpful updates and reminders.

  
  

  Starting Saturday, August 16, you’ll receive the Monday Memo, our weekly newsletter that keeps you in the know with all the need-to-know info and upcoming events.

• Lower School Uniforms

  Seven Hills partners with Land’s End for school uniforms. Students in grades K–5 wear uniforms daily, with a break on Free Dress Fridays—no uniforms required! (ECE and Middle School students do not wear uniforms.)
  
  

  • Visit our Seven Hills Uniform Site to get started.
  • Choose from the approved list of items—you don’t need to purchase everything offered. We also highly recommend rounding out your uniform collection with Second Time Around (see below).
  • Check out the Apparel Resource Board for FAQs, sizing info, and helpful tips.
  • All students should wear rubber-soled, closed-toe shoes to stay safe and active during PE and recess—no sandals or flip-flops, please!

• Second Time Around (STA)

  Looking for gently used uniform pieces? Stop by the Second Time Around shop, where every item is just $5. STA will be open during the Back-to-School BBQ, and summer shopping is available via key checkout at the front desk. Purchases will be charged to your child’s school account.

• Community Lunch

  Seven Hills provides nutritious, delicious meals through our dining partner, Epicurean Group. Daily snacks and lunch are included in tuition—no lunch-packing required! Our rotating menu features hot entrées, vegetarian/vegan options, and a well-stocked salad and sandwich bar. Families will receive the monthly menu in advance. Learn more on our Community Lunch page.

• Summer Resources and Homework

  Over the summer, our teachers will share fun and thoughtful assignments to keep students’ skills fresh. These are designed to reinforce skills and provide engagement—not to become a burdensome chore for families.

  
  

  We also encourage plenty of reading time together—read to, read with, and read alongside your child whenever you can. You’ll find summer learning ideas and assignments posted on the Summer Homework Resource Board in June 2025.