Calling All Bright Minds!

Back to School Means Back to Nature

For teachers, the words “back to school” often conjure thoughts of lessons to plan, classrooms to decorate, and meetings to attend.  But for the faculty of Hilltop Country Day School in Sparta, the start of this school year meant a day in the sunshine at Liberty Farm, the site of the largest sunflower maze on […]

Instrumental Offerings Expanded to Include Guitar

Celebrating 25 years of music lessons, Victor Fiore is joining the instructional team to teach guitar in Hilltop’s after school enrichment program. Fiore previously taught at The Biryukov Academy of Art and Music, the Faith Center for the Arts and the The Talent Academy. Lessons start with a strong musical foundation that includes notes, chords, scales, […]

Debbie Gioello Named as Featured Artist

Art reveals my inner self. Art reveals my ideals and what I value. Art expresses a passion for life Hilltop is excited to announce Debbie Gioello as the 2019 Featured Artist. Debbie Gioello is a well-known artist with a body of work spanning etching renditions, abstract polymer paintings, and impressionistic watercolor paintings. Gioello’s work can […]

An Evening of Discovery at Hilltop Country Day School 

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Hilltop Country Day School invited area children of all ages to attend a celestial-inspired program on Thursday, August 1. The fun began with a trip to the science lab where science teacher Michael Umstead explained the secret to hunting micrometeorites: patience and a good broom! Samples […]

Tune in to Podcasts

A frequent question parents ask teachers is how to grow their child’s reading comprehension.  Students gain a deeper understanding of books when they make connections. Ask questions when reading and allow your child to do the same. Guide them to reflect and make connections from the book to their own lives, another text they have […]

Boosting Reading Comprehension in Middle School Students

Now that you’ve received your summer reading information, here are a few thoughts behind the selections shared by our Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Petrie. Remember to check in on the communications portal (click here for link) to see additional titles recommended in our theme of nature and the environment. These selections are being updated on a weekly […]

Parent Communication Portal Debut

Hilltop launched its new parent communication portal hosted on the Google Sites platform. The portal seeks to enhance communication between the school, teachers and parents. Regular emails from homeroom teachers, Monday’s email of Hilltop Happenings and the all-school newsletter “View from the Hill” will continue. The portal will host a school calendar with will host essential […]

Coding Video Games in Technology

Zoom! Ding! Buzz! You are Victorious! Seventh grade technology class has been a noisy, bustling place the past few weeks as students put the finishing touches on their custom video games. Using the coding language Scratch, students created a variety of games and invited the fourth graders to join in the fun as beta-testers. “I […]

Makerspace: Literature Connections and Engineering with Young Children

  Students in preschool and prekindergarten learned about building and design from some of nature’s most amazing architects: birds! Makerspace teacher and Asst Head of School, Laura McGee often connects activities to pieces of literature. “This week I introduced the students to bird nests with the story, Are You My Mother by PD Eastman.” After […]

September Community Service Event

At Hilltop, we believe that leadership and service are intrinsically aligned. Helping others less fortunate and leaving our communities better than we found it are some of the very simple ways our children can demonstrate leadership.Last Saturday, September 8th, we kicked off our monthly community service project by doing trash pick ups at Hilltop’s two […]

Book Bistro

In a school-side celebration of literature, students are preparing for the Second Annual Summer Reading Book Bistro which will be held in our school lobby and library on Friday, September 21. This celebration of reading features displays, student hand-outs, and a ‘book chat’ about the many titles that our students read this past summer. Though […]

Join Us for a Spring Open House

Join us for one of our Spring Open Houses and explore how you can maximize your child’s growth potential at Hilltop. Hilltop will host three Spring Open Houses: Tuesday, April 17 at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 18 at 6 p.m. and Thursday, May 17 at 10 a.m.  Parents will have the opportunity to tour the […]

Basketball Team Defeats Northwest Christian School

The Hilltop Hawks basketball team made school history on February 6 after defeating the Northwest Christian School 24-22, recording its first win in school history! After an early, lopsided loss to NCS back in December, the Hawks worked hard and focused on basketball fundamentals: dribbling, passing, defending, and boxing out. Hilltop’s diligent work ethic paid […]

Seventh Grader Wins School National Geographic Society Bee

Seventh-grader Max Mazzatta was crowned school champion during the 30th annual National Geo Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Max, joined by classmates Benjamin Janiszewski ’21, Ryan Arapkiles ’21, Robin Guarda ’20, Evan Coletta ’20, Camryn Giessuebel ’19, Amalia Scripsick ’18 and Lindsey White ’18, answered challenging questions, naming rivers, cities, and countries throughout the world. Max […]

Kindergarten Flag Flies Over Antartica

The Kindergarten Penguin flag was flown over the remote field station Cape Royds located on Ross Island, Antarctica on January 15, 2018! The field station is devoted to working with the Adelie Penguins who come to Ross Island every year to raise their chicks. They need ice-free land with small rocks to build their nests […]

Middle School Sweeps DAR History Essay Contest

Nine Hilltop middle school students have swept the Daughters of the American Revolution American History Essay Contest. This year’s topic was remembering World War I as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. Students were asked to imagine living in 1918 and detail where they are living and how […]

Former Students Reunite on Alumni Day

Eighteen Hilltop graduates returned to the school on Friday, December 22 for the annual Alumni Day. Students at Blair Academy, Morristown Beard, The Academy at Saint Elizabeth, Sparta High School, Veritas Christian Academy, The College of New Jersey, Drew University, and Flagler College all returned to visit their former teachers and classmates.  The graduates also […]

Two Fifth Graders to Represent Hilltop at JWCS Spelling Bee

Fifth graders Benjamin Janiszewski and William Antunes, both of Sparta, will represent Hilltop at the annual Junior Woman’s Club of Sparta Spelling Bee on Saturday, January 20, 2018.   The students competed against their classmates for several days in oral competition and a written test to determine who the school’s two representatives would be. Hilltop sends representatives to the JWCS […]

Year in Review: 2017 Brings Change To Hilltop

2017 was another great year at Hilltop! Check out this review of the year’s best news and notes: Hilltop Welcomes Students from China Hilltop To Welcome New Head of School Student Art Chosen for Show at NJPAC Hilltop Celebrates 36th Commencement Hilltop Honored for 50 Years by Sparta Township Council Basketball Team Plays First Game […]

The Case for a Quality Preschool

As a mom of a preschool-aged child and an independent school administrator, I see the value in a quality early childhood education for all children. And now, studies are revealing the outcomes of a quality preschool program, and the data is undeniable.  In this article by The New York Times, researchers began tracking children in 2006 […]

Gifts for the Budding Artist

Have a budding artist on your hands? Here are several great gift ideas for students with that artistic flair: For the S.T.E.A.M. artist,  a 3D-Doodler pen builds imagination and hand-eye coordination.  For a middle school student, a calligraphy pen set is a unique gift idea. Elementary school students tend to enjoy kits that will introduce them […]

Hilltop Basketball Team Plays First Game in School History

The Hilltop Hawks made school history on Thursday, December 7 as they took the court against Northwest Christian School in Newton, Hilltop’s first interscholastic game in the school’s 50-year existence. Though small in stature, the Hilltop Hawks showed tremendous tenacity and determination matching up against a more experienced squad from NCS. Varsity starters William Masone ’19, David […]

Looking for a Chromebook this Holiday?

Looking to give the gift of connectivity this holiday season? Our Director of Technology Regina Cherill has two great Chromebook options for you to consider gifting:   This Samsung is a great entry-level laptop. It’s nearly identical to what we’re using at school: super sturdy, decent graphics and it is maintenance free. All the updates […]

Hilltop Announces New Fundraiser Featuring The Nerds

Hilltop Country Day School is excited to announce an evening of fun at Mohawk House featuring legendary cover band, The Nerds. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Invitation with event details will be coming soon. Bring your friends and neighbors to share in the fun! Find more info at www.hilltopcds.org/nerds. 

3 Must-Have Holiday Gifts for Every Preschooler

‘Tis the season for gift giving! Here are three must-have gifts for every preschooler as recommended by our longtime preschool teacher Christine DeStefano. Hoot Owl Hoot Matching Game: My grandchildren love this game!  It is cooperative and everyone either wins or loses. Magformers: I started each of my grandchildren with Magformers when they were 3.  Each year […]

Holiday Gift Ideas from the Makerspace

Here are holiday gift ideas from our Makerspace Design Lab for innovators and tinkerers.  Chibitronics Chibi Lights (Ages 9 and up) A kid-friendly introduction to circuits in a creative stick-on format. Makey Makey – An Invention Kit (Ages 8 and up) Want to play piano with a banana? This kit lets you turn anything into […]

Petrie’s Picks: Cozy Up With A Good Book This Winter

With the weather getting colder, it’s a great time to curl up with a good mystery. Not only are mysteries entertaining, but they are great for encouraging close reading and critical thinking skills in readers as they gather clues and try to solve the puzzle. Here are a few favorites. A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz: Follow […]

Hilltop Welcomes Children’s Author Alan St Jean

The joy and excitement of writing filled Hilltop during author Alan St Jean’s three-day visit recently. A student and faculty favorite, he presented two assemblies, signed books, and led writing workshops for kindergarten to eighth grade students as part of his Writing Olympics program during his fifth biannual visit to Hilltop. This author in residence program […]

7 Must-Have Physical Fitness Apps

Having trouble getting your child to stay active? Here are several apps you can use to make fitness fun at home.   1. Bit Breaker  Bit Breaker is best-used solo and employs a strict lateral and jump regimen. Your movement controls an ‘Atari’ type of paddle on the bottom of the screen to control the […]

Students Beautify Ryker Lake

Students, parents and faculty and staff at Hilltop Country Day School spent part of a recent Saturday morning picking up litter at Ryker Lake in Sparta. This project, led by the school’s fourth graders, is part of a larger school wide initiative to do one off-campus community service project a month. “I hope to teach […]

Six Traits of Good Writing (And How We Develop Them)

Teaching students the art of writing is one of the most fundamental components of the middle school English curriculum. Hilltop students begin fifth grade with a strong background in composition skills to develop well-constructed paragraphs about a variety of topics. In middle school, we build on those fundamentals and encourage students to become more confident […]

Best Homemade Sensory Playdough Recipe

What kid doesn’t love playdough? We don’t know any! But what’s even more fun than playdough is sensory playdough! Our Kindergarten teacher Nicole Petrillo made homemade sensory playdough with her class and shared her recipe, and some things to do with it, with us. Enjoy! Ms. Nicole Petrillo’s Homemade Sensory Playdough Recipe Ingredients 2 cups […]

Kindergarteners Conclude: Cats Rule, Dogs Drool

Kindergarten students have taken up a challenge to publish a “Graph of the Week” designed to inform the entire school population of their observations in topics ranging from favorite foods to pets.  They roamed through the school armed with clipboards (and charm) introducing themselves then notifying teachers that they were gathering data to create graphs. […]

Hilltop Honored for 50 Years By Sparta Town Council

Hilltop Country Day School was honored on September 12 by the Sparta Township Council with a proclamation recognizing the independent school’s 50 year history in Sparta. The proclamation states that Hilltop has “fulfilled its mission by providing small class sizes with personalized attention and a flexible curriculum by the administrators, faculty members and staff.” Head […]

Is My Child Ready For Preschool?

We are all aware that children are capable of learning at an early age. Most schools accept preschool students at age two and a half. But is that a magic age? Is your two and a half-to-four year old child ready for preschool? As a seasoned preschool teacher for 33 years, I ask parents to […]

Hilltop Launches New Summer Reading Program

Hilltop Country Day School unveiled a new summer reading curriculum to its students this year. Instead of reading two assigned books and doing a book report, every student in the school, from preschoolers to eighth graders, will be reading books on a shared theme: Friendship and Tolerance. “The theme we have selected is timely and […]

5 Parenting Hacks For Life With Toddlers That Are Guaranteed To Make Your Life Easier

When you run a preschool program bustling with 20, 2.5 to 5-year-olds, you develop a few life hacks over the years to help the classroom run smoothly. Here are some of our favorite hacks you can use at home to make life with toddlers easier. Comment below to share you favorite parenting hacks, too!  Save […]

Make Sunscreen Part of Your Outdoor Gear

Summer is almost here! We can’t wait to be outside enjoying the beautiful warm weather! We need to protect ourselves and our children from overexposure to the sun and its harmful rays. Your best defenses against getting too much harmful UV radiation are protective clothing, shade and limited time in the sun: Hats, shirts, shorts […]

Hilltop Country Day School Celebrates 36th Commencement

It was a momentous occasion for the Hilltop Class of 2017 on Friday, June 9 as they became the 36th eighth grade class to graduate and become Hilltop alumni. More than 100 people gathered on the campus to cheer and celebrate as the Class of 2017 received their diplomas and set forth to begin a […]

Hilltop Holds Lower School Closing Ceremony

Whether first year students or Hilltop lifers, the positive impact of a Hilltop Country Day School education was clear during speeches by the graduating fourth graders at the Lower School Closing Ceremony on June 8.   Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends gathered on the campus to cheer and celebrate as the Class of 2021 officially […]

3 Tips for Traveling This Summer With Kids

Over the past 12 months or so, my “tangible” skill set has grown exponentially thanks to my job search.  Writing cover letters, developing résumés, and keeping my composure in Head of School interviews has even surprised me.  But when I think about perhaps the greatest “skill” I’ve cultivated during the past year it is, without question, […]

7 Questions To Ask When Choosing a Summer Camp

Summer is the perfect time to explore, relax, and try something new.  A summer camp provides a place for children to develop friendships, learn new skills and investigate unexplored areas of interest.  Summer camps support a parent’s desire for their child to get up and move.  A summer camp routine breaks up the cycle of […]

12 Reasons to Choose An Independent (Private) School

One of my favorite educators, the late Priscilla Vail, used to talk about “the rightness of fit.” She referred to the choice of a school when you know that it is the place where your child will learn, grow, thrive and make friendships that last a lifetime. What do you look for when choosing a […]

8 Ways to Foster a Toddler’s Love of Music

Do you want to nurture your child’s interest and excitement in music? Does you child show potential talent for music? At this age your child will learn best through exploration that’s fun. Here are a few age-appropriate ways to encourage your preschooler to get jazzed about music. Listening Listening to music of all genres stimulates […]

11 Tips to Make the Most of Your Kid’s Spring Break

This year your spring break may be more along the lines of the staycation, but that’s OK! Here are 11 great ideas for setting aside intentional time for creating memories for the WHOLE family.: 1. Make some rules: such as, no phones and other electronic devices during activity times 2. As a family make a wish list […]

Kindergartners Explore World of Dinosaurs

On March 17 the kindergartners transformed into junior paleontologists to host a Knowledge Sharing Exhibition about dinosaurs.  Parents, faculty, and peers were invited to ask the paleontologist questions about dinosaurs they had discovered, explore dinosaur fossils made by the students, and play an interactive game designed by the class to discover which teeth belonged to […]

First Graders Travel to Australia

The first graders at Hilltop Country Day School hosted a Knowledge Sharing Exhibition on Friday, March 17 to culminate their recent study of all things Australia.  During a Knowledge Sharing Exhibition, parents, faculty and staff and their peers are invited to experience all the students have learned about a topic.  The students sang an Aussie […]

Hilltop Student Art Chosen for Art Educators of NJ Spring Exhibit at NJPAC

A Hilltop Country Day School student has been chosen for the second consecutive year to display a piece of student artwork in the Art Educators of New Jersey Spring Exhibit at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.  Richard Cort ’18 has been chosen to display his mixed media piece in the exhibit beginning on May 1.  […]

3 Easy Morning Exercises For Kids

I wanted to share a fun morning exercise that your child can do before starting their day prior to eating a healthy nutritious breakfast. The exercise is called Training for a Triathlon. It can be done in your own home either inside or outside, requires some really great music (maybe your playlist has some Coldplay, […]

CAPITOL HILLTOP: Monuments, Newseum, and Wizards!

Greetings from Washington, D.C.! I’ve come to appreciate a special characteristic of our eighth graders: patience. It all began with breakfast at 9:30 a.m. which was actually closer to 10. Because of our day early arrival this is the best the hotel could do. Next, delayed opening for the Smithsonian Museums (thank you #stella) and […]

Antonio Puopolo Named February Student of the Month

Hilltop Country Day School is pleased to announce that Antonio Puopolo ’20 was chosen by the faculty and staff of Hilltop Country Day School to be Student of the Month for February. Nominations are solicited from all faculty and staff for Upper School students, grades 5-8, who have exhibited exceptional academic success in all of their […]

CAPITOL HILLTOP: D.C. Trip By The Numbers

CAPITOL HILLTOP: Eighth Graders Visit Air and Space Museum

#Stella didn’t stop us! The “adventure bus” trip to Washington D.C. was quiet for the most part – lots of napping and being “plugged in” with favorite music and streaming TV shows. There were a few Pokemon sightings along the way. We took a break to stretch our legs at the Chesapeake House in Maryland.  […]

Hilltop To Welcome New Head of School

The Hilltop Country Day School Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Kevin Folan, currently the Assistant Head of School and Executive Director of Enrollment at Hyde School in Maine, will be the next Head of School. “In Kevin, we have found an innovative, dynamic collaborative leader who motivates and inspires,” said Board Chair […]

Hilltop Welcomes Students from China

Hilltop students were honored to host four Chinese exchange students for a homestay program in January and February.  The school is proud to offer international students the opportunity to study in the United States for either short-term or yearlong programs.  “Hosting international students complements Hilltop’s global curriculum by bringing new perspectives to the table,” said […]

Jessica Wilm Named January Student of the Month

Hilltop Country Day School is pleased to announce that Jessica Wilm ’17 was chosen by the faculty and staff of Hilltop Country Day School to be Student of the Month for January. Nominations are solicited from all faculty and staff for Upper School students, grades 5-8, who have exhibited exceptional academic success in all of […]

Fifth Grader Wins School Geography Bee

Antonio Puopolo, a fifth grade student at Hilltop Country Day School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 30, and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered questions on geography, was the first round in the 29th annual National Geographic Bee. “We are so […]

Corrine Wilm Selected As November Student of the Month

Hilltop Country Day School Eighth Grader Corrine Wilm was chosen by the faculty and staff as November’s Student of the Month. Nominations are solicited from all faculty and staff for Upper School students who have exhibited exceptional academic success in all of their classes during the month, but who have also modeled the school’s Core […]

Tips for Successful Toilet Training in 10 Days

Are you counting the days until your toddler is fully potty-trained and can enroll in preschool? Have no fear! Hilltop’s Preschool teacher Mrs. Christine DeStefano is coming to your rescue! With more than 30 years of experience with preschool-aged children, and successful toilet training of her own two children, three grandchildren and hundreds of other 2 ½ […]

Hilltop Kicks Off 2016-17 School Year With 6.25% Enrollment Increase

Hilltop Country Day School kicked-off the 2016-17 school year on Wednesday, September 7 with a record enrollment increase and a full slate of new programs. While other local schools are cutting programming and experiencing overcrowding, Hilltop is flourishing while maintaining the school’s signature small class sizes and nurturing environment. “Hilltop has been committed to providing […]

Best Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

Looking to bring home a piece of Hilltop’s Outdoor Classroom curriculum? It is not too late in the summer to put out a hummingbird feeder. Here in northern New Jersey, the only hummingbird that is native is the Ruby-Throated. These beautiful little birds migrate south to the tropics sometime in late September or early October, […]

4 Tips for High School Success from Graduation Speaker Emma D’Amico ’12

The graduation address for the Class of 2016 was delivered by Emma D’Amico ’12, a recent graduate of Sparta High School. While at Hilltop, Emma was in the Instrumental Ensemble playing trumpet and violin. In her eighth grade year she was the student council president and was the recipient of the presidents volunteer service award Gold […]

5 Reasons Private Kindergarten Is Worth The Cost

Experts believe 90% of brain development occurs by age 5 . That’s why choosing the best early childhood education for your child is critical. Our expert educators have put together a guide on the characteristics that quality kindergarten programs should have and why paying for a private kindergarten is worth the cost. Download the free […]

5 Elements of Cutting-Edge Exhibition Assessments in Schools

It is no secret that the traditional educational model that existed for centuries is no longer effective in today’s 21st Century landscape. At Hilltop we realize that our students will eventually be entering a workforce where the jobs have yet to be imagined. Therefore, it is our responsibility to provide an education and schoolwide experience […]

The 7 Things Worrying Your Soon-to-Be-Middle Schooler and What We’re Doing About It

If you think back and remember what it was like to be a new student at a new school or a student new to the middle school years, you will recall a variety of feelings and emotions, many good, some not so good. It is never easy entering a new environment, especially one where the […]

5 Tips for Visiting Museums/Art Galleries With Kids

Spring is in the air and that means new shows are popping up in many area museums and galleries.  It’s a great opportunity for a family day out and seeing art through a child’s eyes.  At Hilltop, we discuss with students how to look at art, what questions to ask, and even etiquette for such […]

Best Rustic Potato Soup Recipe

At Hilltop Country Day School we take pride in our outdoor classroom and environmental science curriculum. Our fourth graders harvested a wonderful crop of potatoes from our potato patch this fall and from that haul we whipped up a delectable rustic potato soup. From our Hilltop table to yours, enjoy! Ingredients Potatoes, washed well, cut […]

Cultivating Grit in Our Children [Replay]

Hilltop Country Day School’s Head of School Peter Gordon presented a talk titled, “Cultivating Grit in Our Children,” in which he offered insight as an educator and a parent on why sometime’s it’s OK to let children fail as it develops a key characteristic for success in today’s world: grit. Click on the play button below to begin the video.

3 Ways to Decrease Separation Anxiety in Nursery School

I’ve often heard it said that the job of being a parent is to spend 18 (or more) years raising a child so they don’t need you anymore. It’s the most selfless job in the world especially when you think about it that way. ­This could not be more evident than during morning drop-off. As […]

3 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Keep Your Child’s Binder Organized

Your child’s binder looks like a bomb exploded. Papers are crumbled into balls at the bottom of the backpack, the spine on the binder may already be breaking, and your student’s grades may be suffering from this lack of organization. Don’t stress. With just a few minor adjustments and a commitment to a maintenance plan, […]

6 Book Recommendations for Elementary School Readers

The holidays are over and now you have a ton of gift cards burning a hole in your pocket, right? Why not spend them on something educational for your child instead of just another toy? We’re here to help with 9 of the best books for kids ages 5-10. Read on for some of our […]