The Hillside School

The fear, confusion and anger that came with our son's learning disability diagnosis 11 years ago has shifted to acceptance and pride and joy. We enrolled our son at The Hillside School in second grade. He was there for three years then re-enrolled in seventh grade to help pilot the middle school program. The strategies he was taught in reading and writing along with skills in meta-cognition and self-advocacy have successfully supported him through high school and he will graduate in June. He was recently re-evaluated by our local school district in preparation for college admission. While he will always have a learning difference, he has tested out of needing specially designed instruction and hence an IEP. The faculty and staff at The Hillside School has consistently guided us with compassion and respect. Our investment in our son's education in his elementary and middle school years has been worth the time, effort and money put forth. My gratitude for Hillside is deep and wide. We celebrate our son's strengths every day and look forward to a bright future.

Our son was a student at Hillside. We were so fortunate to find a school with experienced and caring teachers that could help address his learning challenges and help him to succeed in High School and College.We have stayed current with Hillside and know that this same excellence at academics and skill building are afforded to each student today.Thank you Hillside!

The Hillside School is an amazing school. We had debated for a couple of years if our son, who is dyslexic, would benefit from attending. It was the best decision we made for his education and was life changing. The Hillside School gave him not only the academic support he needed but also confidence he needed to excel. For the first time in his academic years, he began to volunteer to read aloud, he was proud of his writing assignments and did not complain about doing homework. He was always encouraged by staff to take his work to the next level. The bar was set high and he reached it. I feel the small class sizes are key to creating a learning environment where all children can achieve success. They also provide a family like classroom setting where the staff and students really get to know each other and develop lasting relationships.

This quality school puts all of its focus on the student. However the student comes to Hillside, their individual needs are met as was the case for my daughter. To empower a young person is to build self confidence that will last a lifetime. With Hillside's comprehensive knowledge of how to teach to the student who learns differently, coupled with the support from inside the home..there is nothing a Hillside student can not accomplish. At every parent/teacher conference I have been to since leaving (5 years ago), teacher's have marveled at how my daughter, Abigail is able to advocate for exactly what she needs to be successful. Hillside gave her the academic foundation she needed, but taught her too, to navigate the complexities of human interaction. She is now a very successful and well rounded high school student and she owes it all to the Hillside School. The head of school has a clear path and direction that is shared throughout the administration and staff, with a loving and caring environment that the students didn't even know they needed. Every student should be so lucky to have a school such as this in their midst. What they do there is incredible. We will NEVER forget the Hillside School.

My best advice is to get there as soon as possible!! The academic programs were excellent. The teachers had great skills and tactics. The art and music programs were on point. My oldest child could not read at the end of 2nd grade. After attending The Hillside School, she was able to graduate with National Honor Society and is attending Temple University. Our 2nd child will attend college next year. Our youngest child is on high honor roll and reads for FUN!!