HILLTOP HALLMARKS
Our Hilltop Hallmarks are what make Hilltop Academy special! Everything we do is planned and implemented in consideration of how it attends to the spirit, mind, and body and is done through the inter- and intra- personal connections we help students make. Using a growth mindset, we meet students where they are at, using play and fun as natural ways to engage their hearts and minds, making learning experiences come alive.
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Interdisciplinary &
Experiential Learning
Nature Is Our Classroom Too
& Sustainability
Individualized Learning
& Growth Mindset
Authentic Assessments, & Capstones
Holistic Approach:
Spirit, Mind, & Body
Family & Community
Connections & Engagement
Apprenticeship & Internships
Fun & Play
Hilltop Heroes
Our Hilltop Hallmarks Explained
INTERDISCIPLINARY & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
What is interdisciplinary learning?
It's an approach that...
• offers more true to life and real world application
• analyzes, synthesizes, and brings links between disciplines into a coordinated and logical whole
• makes connections between different subjects of study
Why does it matter?
Our learners benefit as it closely mirrors what they will experience in their work life. The tasks students will be responsible for in their careers is not linear; knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines will be required. What students are required to demonstrate through an interdisciplinary approach will be transferrable and relevant no matter what their path is post graduation.
What is experiential learning?
Experiential learning requires learners to be actively involved in learning processes and outcomes through hands-on experiences. When activities get students' hands, hearts, and minds in the thick of it, learning comes alive, igniting curiosity and imagination. This naturally leads to higher student engagement, increasing students' ability to make connections, retain information, transfer knowledge and skills, and apply it in meaningful ways.
Experiential learning is fun AND has students thinking and working at high cognitive levels, exercising critical thinking skills by formulating solutions, analyzing results, and being self-reflective.
Why does experiential learning matter?
Keeping students engaged in their learning is a challenge in schools across the nation, especially as students get older. The degree to which we engage them has the propensity to shape lives and ultimately communities. When students are bored, they become disengaged. When students become disengaged, the risk for learning loss increases. Both become risk factors for underachievement, poor attendance, and dropping out. What does dropping out lead to? We all know the answer to that. Yes, there are those who will remain in school being passively compliant, checking the boxes until they graduate, but is that what we really want? Is this what inspires students to perform at their highest potential? Is this the best way to prepare them for life after graduation? Absolutely not! Experiential learning affords students the opportunity to be creative, have a voice, make contributions, explore what matters to them and be a valued member of a team, all while actively learning at high impact levels.
NATURE IS OUR CLASSROOM TOO & SUSTAINABILITY
What do you mean by "nature is our classroom"?
We get students out in nature as often as we possibly can, prioritizing it for learning. It is there that our students explore and connect with their natural environment; study sciences; experience outdoor adventure, recreation, and physical activity; engage in healthy habits and life skills, community service, and team building; learn about, develop, and implement sustainable earth-friendly practices; participate in field trips; and just experience inspiration, play, fun, and joy from being outdoors. Students are immersed in nature found on our campus and in our surrounding communities.
Why does nature as our classroom matter?
Over the past several years, outdoor experiences in schools have diminished significantly. Through emerging research we are learning that our children are experiencing “nature deficit”, which correlates with higher levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and attention deficit disorders, impacting young people physically, mentally, and spiritually. With more and more research supporting the health benefits of engaging in nature, we aim to make it happen!
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance. Sustainability is not a "they" thing, it's a "we" thing at Hilltop Academy. We are all playing a role in the well-being of our planet. Positive change begins with each one of us!
Why does sustainability matter?
We strongly believe that it is our responsibility to empower our learners and school community so that we are a part of the solution. The health and well-being of our planet is depending on us.
INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING & GROWTH MINDSET
What is individualized learning?
Individualized learning is designed to meet students where they are at according to progress they are making toward reaching learning standards. Students who need more support or time to master a skill or concept are given that support and time. Students who have demonstrated mastery and are ready to move on are given what they need to do so successfully. Students' progress in one content area does not dictate placement or leveling in another content area- again students are given just what they need according to where they are. Additionally, we integrate student voice, helping us better understand interests, passion, and aptitudes.
Why does it matter?
Meeting students in this way helps them see and feel that they are equally valued, honored, prepared, and supported. This positively impacts student engagement, mental health, and academic achievement. All are important ingredients for happiness and success and for healthy, productive, and thriving communities.
Our belief in a growth mindset transcends traditional academic pacing. At Hilltop Academy our "leveling" is in alignment with an “until” and “not yet” approach, allowing for acceleration or deceleration in content areas- based on readiness or need in that particular content area rather than by age. As a result, the school operates within “grade spans” allowing fluid movement where student mastery of content, knowledge, and skills, drives students' individualized learning plans. Students are not held back when they have already demonstrated content and skill mastery, nor are they left behind if they have not yet mastered a concept or skill.
Why does it matter?
Grades are often seen or used as rewards instead of a means for understanding each learner's unique needs and progress toward their individual learning goals. Our approach is intentionally designed to eliminate inferiority or superiority, which impacts self-confidence and self-worth. Our aim is to build-up our learners!
AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENTS & CAPSTONES
What are authentic assessments?
At Hilltop Academy, we continuously monitor and evaluate students' progress toward mastering learning targets through a variety of assessments, including more natural and practical means. Our assessments are multifaceted, mirroring our approach to teaching and learning.
Why does it matter?
The way that students learn best comes in a multitude of ways as does the way they are able to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. When students do not fit the one size fits all mold, they are labeled and confined accordingly, limiting their beliefs of what their true potential is. At a time when self-confidence is already fragile, it is important that we implement practices that strengthen it.
What are Hilltop Academy's Capstone?
Hilltop Academy's Capstone is focused on creating a service or product that will solve a real world challenge and/or be a benefit to our local or global community. This is a project that engages students in teams, working toward common goals just as they will be required in a work setting.
Why does it matter?
Students get to practice skills such as communication, collaboration, cooperation, creativity, project managing, and problem-solving. Through the experience, students exercise foundational skills like writing, reading, researching, public speaking, editing and revising, budgeting, and much, much more. The project has a particular skill of focus that is developmentally appropriate for students at each level and continues to expand and build on the skill learned and demonstrated in the previous year.
Do student have to take standardized external assessments like they do in more traditional schools?
There is a far greater benefit in students demonstrating their mastery by transferring and applying knowledge and skills learned, exercising creativity, and practicing competencies through projects, writing pieces, presentations, and demonstrations. These forms of assessment provide a truer picture of students' growth, rather than reflecting a single moment in time. High stakes standardized tests often leave everyone- parents, teachers, students, administrators crossing fingers, hoping the stars align on that given test day for a good night's sleep, feeling healthy, not being too stressed out, and having a good day.
The time we have with our students is precious; we value it!! We are committed to spending it in the most meaningful and memorable ways possible. The amount of time many schools spend on test preparation and rehearsal often adds up to weeks, which is time lost for learning activities and school experiences- year after year. We are grateful that we get to choose differently!
What about SATs and similar standardized tests for college admission?
Our students will be provided the education and support they need to be prepared and successfully complete them. It is worth noting that many colleges and universities have begun rethinking their admissions requisites of these types of assessments in recognition of the limited picture they provide of student applicants.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH: SPIRIT, MIND, & BODY
Why does it matter?
The spirit, mind, and body are all interconnected; balance among them is critical for maintaining good health and wellness. Learning becomes easier and more natural when balance exists.
Nurturing the Spirit at Hilltop Academy
The spirit of every person lies in connectedness– to self, others, nature, and our community. At Hilltop Academy we nurture our Hilltop Heroes’ spirit by connecting them with their “self” and others through the experiential learning opportunities built into our programming. We connect our students with nature, using it as our classroom as often and to the extent possible. Programming imparts and grows knowledge, skills, and compassion critical to healthy spiritual development that has immediate and long-term practical application.
Nurturing the Mind at Hilltop Academy
Exercising the mind is done through academic course work and also through health and wellness education, where social and emotional wellness and life skills are explored. Our learners build capacity for an open mind that is ready for the demands of academic learning, helping grow students’ cognitive and emotional intellect. While students exercise their brains, putting into practice new content and skills learned, they build self-reliance, which fosters a passion, interest, and desire to be lifelong learners.
Nurturing the Body at Hilltop Academy
A healthy body is integral to learning, growing, and functioning. Learners are not only taught how to care for their bodies, but are also provided the opportunities to engage in routine healthy practices.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS & ENGAGEMENT
Why does it matter?
One fantastic research study that supports just how important relationships are for young people is "Fostering Resilience in Children" by Bonnie Bernard. While her research was done a while back, it still remains relevant and current. What does the study reveal? In a nutshell, that a young person who has a meaningful relationship within either their family, community, or school is significantly more likely to develop resilience in spite of risk factors that would otherwise negatively affect them. What is resilience? It's the ability to bounce back and not be set back. Outside of her research, we know that students who have connections within their school have much greater levels of engagement, higher academic performance, and increased attendance and graduation rates.
Our Families Matter!
In addition to Bonnie Benard's research mentioned above, there are numerous other studies supporting the important role families play in the success of their child. At Hilltop Academy, family involvement and participation are warmly embraced, promoted, and expected.
To achieve our goal, we communicate often, in a variety of ways and we offer a multitude of opportunities for family involvement. We warmly welcome our families' sharing their wonderful talents, skills, and experience they have. We actively seek out our parents'/caregivers' voice. It is through our partnership with families that we bolster our students and increase our capacity to make connections and broaden opportunities for our students.
Our Local Community Matters!
Hilltop Academy's goal is to partner with colleges, universities, and educational institutions; organizations, businesses, and agencies who share common threads seen in our vision and mission. Our intention is to serve an academic function for our learners and also serve as a hub of activity and resource for our surrounding communities. Through this we create pathways to mutually beneficial partnerships between our school, students, and community at large- for service, apprenticeships, mentorship, and program offerings.
APPRENTICESHIPS & INTERNSHIPS
Why does it matter?
Working professionals are keenly aware that hands-on experiences are where and when real learning preparation happens. Many of our young people have an immediate interest, desire, and readiness to pursue and start their intended career, trade, and/or their own business. For this reason, Hilltop Academy offers opportunities for students to participate in apprenticeships, internships, and practicums, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and experience that will best prepare them for whenever they are ready to launch whatever pathway they decide.
FUN & PLAY
Why does play matter?
Play is how nature intended for young ones to learn. If you observe any young animals, you will see them engaged in play and playing hard! You won't see their momma intervening and trying to get them to stop because intuitively she knows that play is critical to her young's ability to thrive and grow. Play, just like proper nutrition, rest, and exercise, are natural means to healthy development. On top of all of that, play is fun, which inspires creativity. It offers the mind a reset and makes learning more exciting, and a lot more engaging!
What are the benefits of play?
Supports executive functioning: planning, self-control, self-monitoring, time management, organization, regulating emotions
Promotes learning
Improves memory
Stimulates brain growth
Encourages problem-solving skills
Ignites curiosity and exploration
Inspires creativity
Reveals cause and effect- how things work together
Fosters social connectedness
Develops independence and autonomy
Builds self
Allows for healthy risk-taking
Provides a space and place for transfer and application of knowledge and skills:
Negotiation
Compromise
Communication
Kindness
Care & compassion
Elicits joy!
Increases engagement and concentration
Counters effects of stress and trauma on the brain
HILLTOP HEROES
What makes our students "Hilltop Heroes"?
We believe that within every one of our students is infinite potential waiting to unfold. Young people need to hear it over and over again: they are heroes! Each of them comes with the capacity to have a powerful impact in the world. Their inner hero is the driver of their success on their journey to making a difference in our school, community, and beyond. We are counting on their positive contributions through their given pathways, acts of service, and creativity to inspire solutions for the global challenges our world faces. Our mission is to help each of our learners unearth the hero within!
What qualities do our Hilltop Heroes emulate?
Demonstrated responsibility for their own learning
Take healthy risks
Know that effort and belief determine success
Believe that they are the ones who determine how the rest of their lives will turn out
Lead by example
Are service-oriented
Positively contribute to the Hilltop Academy, local, and global communities
Embody Hilltop Academy values and beliefs
Celebrate and appreciate the diversity of our school community
Nondiscriminatory Policy
It is our mission to guard and protect the unique individuality of each member of our Hilltop Community- those we serve and lead and those who lead and serve.
Hilltop Academy Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. The officers, committee members, employees, and persons served by this corporation shall be selected entirely on a non-discriminatory basis with respect to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation. It is the policy of Hilltop Academy Inc. not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, veteran status, political service or affiliation, color, religion, or national origin.
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Administrative Offices:
P.O. Box 24, West Suffield, CT 06093
Our Mission
Forging a powerful, innovative, and transformative model of education that emboldens and prepares students for life, college, service, trade, and/or career through natural and holistic, simplistic yet rigorous, relevant and engaging learning practices and through the strong ties we build with our families and communities.
Our Vision
Opening opportunities and access for students, families, educators, and communities to experience our model of education which honors the hero in every child on their chosen pathway to a life of purpose.
Hilltop Academy Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(C)3 organization. All proceeds and donations support our tuition assistance and educational programming.
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