Please select an item below to view the frequently asked questions for that division.

 

All students in Grades K-4 have Language Arts (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and Math daily. The small Lower School classes may be broken up into smaller instructional groups for these subjects, taking into account learning style, comfort with the material, and, depending on the lesson content, skill development. Science and Social Studies classes are taught throughout the week.

 

Beyond a solid core curriculum, Hilltop endeavors to provide its students with a well-rounded educational experience. All Lower School students have weekly classes in Art, Art Appreciation, Computers, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Physical Education, Health and Library Science. In addition, as part of our Foreign Language program, Lower School students take French. When students move into the Upper School program, they can continue on in French or take Spanish.

Interim Reports/Report Cards: Kindergarten students will bring home a weekly report. For students in Grades 1-4, interim progress reports will be issued at the halfway point of each of the three grading periods.

 

Kindergarten issues a written progress report at the end of each trimester. Reports cards are distributed at the end of each grading period for all students in Grades 1-4. Hilltop's report card features a description of the curriculum content in each subject area, comprehensive teacher comments, and grades for achievement, effort and behavior.

 

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conferences are held three times per year, at the midway point of each trimester. During these conferences, a student's progress is reviewed, strengths and weaknesses are identified, and a child's overall program is discussed. We view parent/teacher conferences as a two way process. Good rapport between the school and the family enables all of us to work toward helping the child achieve his or her full potential.

 

In addition to these scheduled conferences, parents should feel free to contact the school at any time to discuss a concern or have a question answered. At the request of either the parents or the teacher, supplemental conferences can be held at any time during the year. Parents are always welcome to speak with the Lower School Division Head concerning any issue related to school or their child's education.

 

Voice Mail/Email: All teachers and administrators at Hilltop have voice mail and email, allowing parents to communicate any questions or concerns they may have in an efficient manner.

 

Grade Centers: The grade centers at Hilltop's website (http://www.hilltopcds.org/) keep Lower School parents informed of what topics their children are currently studying. Beginning in Grade 2, daily homework assignments are posted on the grade centers every week.

The school follows the Educational Records Bureau’s guidelines for taking standardized tests. In the fall and spring of each year, children in Grades 1 through 5 take standardized tests in reading and vocabulary. In the spring of each year, all students in Grades K through 8 take comprehensive standardized tests. These tests measure verbal and quantitative aptitude, as well as levels of achievement across all major subject areas. Additional diagnostic and progress tests are given when needed or appropriate.

Lower School students report to homeroom at 8:15 a.m., and their school day ends at 2:55 p.m. First class begins promptly at 8:30 a.m.

If a student is enrolled at Hilltop for any grade level of Kindergarten and above and lives within 25 miles of the school, it is the responsibility of the child’s resident district to either offer the family transportation to Hilltop or payment from the State of New Jersey (Aid in Lieu of). Once Hilltop has offered a student a placement, the family will fill out a transportation application, which is then forwarded to the Transportation Coordinator for the resident district. You will be contacted directly by your resident district as to their decision.

The school provides snack for Kindergarten students, and students in First and Second Grade may bring a snack from home. Students have the option of participating in the school's daily hot lunch program or bringing in a bag lunch.

Morning Kids’ Club is available from 7 a.m. until class starts. The afternoon session of Kids’ Club runs until 6 p.m. Students in Kindergarten and above participating in Kids’ Club spend the first hour in Study Hall and the remainder of their time in club activities. There is an additional hourly charge for this service. Hilltop also runs enrichment courses for our students after school, including offerings for sports instruction, music lessons, computer classes and art programs.

For all grade levels, the first step is to schedule a tour/classroom observation with the Director of Admissions. You may then send in the application form and the request for records that are enclosed in the admissions packet. Once we have received a copy of your child's transcripts directly from their current school, the Admissions Office will contact you to make arrangements to complete the application process for the appropriate grade level. For additional information regarding enrollment, please see the 2010-2011 Admissions Procedures included in the information packet.