Middle School

Thank you for visiting the Middle School Academics. Hill School strives to work individually with children to maximize their learning experience.

Academic Subjects

In middle school students should expect to study the following academic subjects:

Language (Reading, English, Spelling, and Written Expression)
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Physical Education
Computer Reinforcement
Computer Instruction
Art
Music

Life Skills

Importantly, children must also develop certain skills that help them succeed. These skills include:

Study skills
Self-discipline
Self-esteem
Peer relationships
Respect
Responsibility

8th Grade Preparation for High School

Students have special curriculum in 8th grade to prepare them for the transition to high school. Hill School teaches leadership skills, organizational skills, and other preparatory steps to make transition to high school a positive experience.

Individual Attention

Academic work is modified to each student and their individual levels of achievement. Therefore, students may be at, above or below their grade level in each subject area. We want each student to reach excellence at his or her level, whatever that level may be.

Class Size

Hill School follows a strict guideline for class size. The average class has 11 students.

Academic Standards

The grading scale is on a percentile basis:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
Below 70 is not passing

Effort

Students are expected to participate in a small group classroom environment. Infringing on the rights of others to learn within the classroom setting in any way is not acceptable.

The Total Child

Hill School focuses on the total child at all times. This means equal emphasis on character skills (respect, fairness, citizenship) and on academics (language, math, science and other areas of study). Hill School believes a well-balanced student will be prepared for a successful life.

State Approved Curriculum

The Hill School curriculum is correlated with the Essential Elements of the State Board of Education of Texas and we use state-adopted text books.

Following the mission of the school, the middle school division strives to provide an educational environment that focuses on the individual's academic, social, physical, and emotional development with an emphasis on developing strong citizenship skills of respect and responsibility.

Middle school can be a challenging time for students with learning differences. We are committed to providing a positive learning experience; emphasizing foundational skills that will carry our students into the future of high school and college as well as helping students deal with the demands of their ever-changing and ever-dramatic present experiences with adolescence.

The middle school focuses on several areas:

Study Skills - teaching students how best to manage the academic requirements by demonstrating and utilizing a variety of study techniques as well as a directed effort to help students make the best use of their time and manage their assignments more effectively.
Organizational Skills - helping students manage their materials to ensure success both in the classroom and at home. We provide the students with an organizational planner that is used daily with assistance and feedback from teachers and parents.
Personal Learning Styles - educating the students about neurodevelopment and encourage them to explore their own strengths, weaknesses, and affinities. It is our goal that each student become an educated self-advocate for their own personal learning and be able to effectively work with their future teachers in making sure they receive the assistance they require to achieve success.
Self-Esteem - encouraging personal growth and reveling in small successes along the way. The middle school years can be full of turmoil and often self-esteem suffers along with grades. We applaud every student's efforts and nurture their confidence in their emerging talents and abilities.
Social Skills - modeling appropriate social interactions and weekly instruction in character education helps the middle-school student integrate appropriate social skills into his or her repertoire.

We feel our curriculum provides the individualized support that middle school students need while challenging them to succeed and surpass state requirements at or above their grade level. The middle school offers the following key elements in its curriculum:

Integrated Reading and English Blocks - All students receive an hour and a half of language arts instruction daily. This extended time allows for a focus on areas including reading comprehension, written expression, vocabulary development, critical thinking, and grammar instruction.

Math - Our math classes are ability grouped to maximize student success in mathematics. Math teachers are dedicated to providing learning grade-level skills at a pace appropriate for the students in their class.

TEKS-aligned, state-adopted textbooks - We utilize texts approved by the state of Texas and classes are designed with TEKS guidelines in mind.

Attuning Block - a study hall block used to get a jump-start on homework, learn about neurodevelopment and explore character education themes.

Enrichment - all middle school students attend art, computer and music classes weekly to balance their academic schedule.

Middle School Homework

We believe that the following suggested time limits be imposed on homework in the middle school: 6th grade students, 45-60 minutes per evening; 7th & 8th grade students, 45-75 minutes per evening.

Homework should encourage self-reliance, improve independent work habits, and reinforce skills that have already been taught in the classroom.

Homework should not be busywork, demand that a new concept be introduced and taught at home, or be disciplinary in nature.

Middle School Communication

By providing a structure in which parents are kept up-to-date on student progress, the middle school is dedicated to keeping the lines of communication open through three formal, scheduled conferences during the school year, progress reports, and a follow-up system (FASH) for late assignments. We are open to parent communication throughout the year using the planner, through e-mail, by phone, or during additional parent conferences. Working as a team with students and parents provides the best possible educational experience for everyone.

Middle School Clubs and Activities

The middle school offers the following lunch-time or after-school activities:
Student Council
Peer Mediation
Math Counts
Newspaper
Drama