HILLTOP LIFE ORGANIZATION

Our Hilltop Life Organization (HLO) is a big deal! Supporting students’ voice and choice is one of the main purposes of HLO which encompasses clubs, activities, community service, and leadership opportunities. This organization serves as our form of student government. Every facet of it is student-driven and student-led. In many ways the operation of the Hilltop Life Organization mirrors the operations of the school.

Through participation in HLO, students learn and apply POWER SKILLS, including leadership, organization, project management, time management, written and oral communication, cooperation, compromise, and more- all in real time, in authentic experiences. These skill are ones that are critical to success no matter the pathway our students choose post graduation. Membership to the Hilltop Life Organization is open to all students and participation is strongly encouraged. HLO if made up of 11 departments, making it easy for everyone to find something that interests them.

OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

  • Creates systems for enrolling students in clubs and activities

  • Offers and oversees Club Fairs

  • Maintains data relative to enrollment

  • Creates systems for collecting feedback

  • Shares feedback with the organization and school community as a whole

  • Supports other departments with managerial tasks

  • Monitors needs for HLO, assembles purchase requests, maintains budgets

SCHOLARLY DEPARTMENT

  • Offers and coordinates peer tutoring

  • Trains tutors

  • Checks in with peer tutoring partnerships

  • Organizes and holds academic events in combination with the Events Department, such as a Geography B, Trivia Night, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader

  • Plans and oversees study/extra help sessions

SOCIAL CONSCIENCE DEPARTMENT

  • Educates the school community about various causes, charities, and organizations

  • Organizes events in combination with the Events Department such as walks, clean-ups, guest speakers, or assemblies

  • Selects a monthly cause or charity for our school community to learn more about and support

  • Creates bulletin boards, presentations, videos, PSAs relative to a cause or charity

ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT

  • Implements student surveys in conjunction with the Events Department to determine club and activity offerings

  • Holds biannual club fairs in combination with the Management Department

  • Supports clubs that are running with materials, supplies, equipment, and schedules

EVENTS DEPARTMENT

  • Implements student surveys in conjunction with the Activities Department to determine activity and club offerings

  • Organizes and facilitates school wide events, such as assemblies with guest speakers, winter festival, harvest fair, dances, grade level traditions, and family fun nights

  • Works in combination with other departments in the organization and facilitation of events they are planning

SCHOOL CLIMATE & CULTURE DEPARTMENT

  • Creates initiatives to ensure a positive school climate--spreading a warm, welcoming environment

  • Welcomes new students, through an orientation and tour, partners them with a buddy, and routinely checks in

  • Provides school and campus tours and orientation for guests and visitors

  • Assists in facilitation of open house events and other school community events in combination with the Events Department

  • Organizes and facilitates spirit days, weeks, and events in combination with the Events Department

HEALTH & WELLNESS DEPARTMENT

  • Advocates for and promotes health and wellness initiatives for the the school and local community

  • Organizes events in combination with the Events Department such as yoga and mindfulness

  • Selects a monthly health and wellness initiative for the school community to learn more about and support

  • Creates bulletin boards, presentations, videos, PSAs relative to initiatives

ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

  • Educates the school and local communities about environmental initiatives and causes

  • In combination with the Events Department, organizes and leads:

    • Green initiatives on the school campus, such as recycling and up-cycling programs

    • Earth Day activities in combination with the Events Department and Social Conscience Department

    • Local cleanups and re-greening efforts

  • Assists with school initiatives such as:

    • Implementing Garden to Table, composting, recycling, and water catchment

    • Building and maintaining gardens and greenhouses

  • Participates in development and review of school "green" policies

STUDENT GOVERNANCE DEPARTMENT

  • Participates in development and review of school codes of conduct

  • Assists in implementation of initiatives such as peer mediation, restorative practices, and restorative circles

  • Facilitates social justice initiatives

  • Organizes and facilitates events and activities highlighting positive behavior, citizenship, and character in our school

MENTORING DEPARTMENT

  • Participates in facilitation of:

    • Student mentor-mentee partnerships

    • End of year self-reflection and celebration for both mentors and mentees

  • Trains mentors

  • Periodically checks in withe mentor-mentee partnerships

  • Assists mentors with ideas for activities with their mentees

FITNESS DEPARTMENT

  • Assists in management of Hilltop Academy's athletics program

  • Collaborates with the Health & Wellness and Activities Departments to support and hold school wide fitness initiatives

  • Works in combination with the Management Department to determine equipment and supply needs for the Hilltop Life period and athletic teams

  • Organizes and facilitates:

    • Sports events, such as Volleyball Marathon and staff versus student games

    • Tournaments offered during the Fall Fair and Winter Carnival

    • Intramural sports offerings

    • Fitness events

  • Participates in the development and review of student athlete codes of conduct

Nondiscriminatory Policy

It is our mission to guard and protect the diversity 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 school programming.

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