Hill School Grapevine Campus

The Hill School Grapevine Campus opened in 2007, and is now settled in a contemporary space at 204 N. Dooley, conveniently located just a block north of Northwest Highway near downtown Grapevine (MAP). Currently serving 80 students in grades K-7, Hill Grapevine will expand in 2010 to serve approximately 100 students in grades K-8, with 11 students or less per classroom. Visitors are welcome, and you can make an appointment for a tour at any time by calling the school at 817-310-0876 or e-mailing the Principal, Kathy Edwards, kedwards@hillschool.org.

The campus is distinguished by bright colors and open spaces that provide a welcoming, friendly, student-centered atmosphere. Library, technology center, art room, cafetorium, and music room provide opportunities for students to explore their affinities and improve social skills. Outdoor green space and recreation area encourage movement and interactive play as an integral part of learning and development.

In this warm and supportive environment, children are encouraged to reach their potential and gain mastery over their ever-widening world. By developing academic skills, self-esteem, study skills, and social skills, Hill School prepares its students for success both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers at Hill are committed to developing relationships of trust within the classroom that provide a safe space for students to admit weaknesses and develop strategies for growth (FACULTY). Students learn to appreciate and value the uniqueness of others as a part of accepting and valuing their own learning differences.

When you visit the school, you may notice that classrooms are not designated by grade level, although most students in a classroom are of similar age. This allows for exchange of students between classrooms to provide focused attention to the academic needs of individual students, regardless of traditional grade placement. For instance, a student may be more advanced in math and work with students a step ahead, but spend time with younger students in reading to catch up to grade level.

Learning differences touch not only academic skills, but also the entire child and his or her family. Whatever the specific stumbling blocks to learning, frustration and uncertainty almost always accompany them. At Hill School, full attention is given to the learning differences that distinguish each child. Individual areas of strength are fortified, problem areas identified, and learning programs carefully conceived.

No two children learn, perceive, or behave in the same way. Examples of differences might include:

One child may have trouble receiving information through listening or reading,
Another may struggle to express him or herself verbally or on the written page.
Some are easily distracted and cannot seem to follow directions or retain information.
Others have problems keeping track of belongings or organizing their day, and complicated tasks can be easily mastered while simple ones are unmanageable.

Parent Education is a key element for helping families understand the academic and social needs of children, how they learn, why they're struggling, what to do to help, and when it's important to let them continue to work a problem through rather than solving the problem for them. (More information on learning differences/learning disabilities)

The Curriculum section of this site describes the specific areas of focus for the school, as well as providing information on the specialized education and training of Hill School teachers.

Detailed information for students and parents on school policies from academics to uniforms are included in the Hill School Handbook. There is also a detailed glossary that provides definitions of various terms in the learning differences/learning disabilities world that may be new to parents.

Character Education and Social Skills is an important part of the total educational process at Hill Grapevine. Using the "power path" developed by Dr. Laura Wyzell, teachers assist children with developing their ability to meet and greet people and present themselves in a positive light. Circle Time most days affords students the opportunity and requirement to speak in front of other people. As described in detail in the Handbook, Character Counts social skill and quote of the day are used every day for a continuing focus on the six pillars of character.

Organization skills are what Hill School graduates most often mention as what they carry over into their college and work life. All Hill students have planners as organizational tools, where they write out their assignments daily. With all of the new technology available to the students and parents, this is an important way that students maintain personal responsibility and remain "in the loop" within the communication system. Time is set aside on a weekly basis for students to maintain personal organization by filing all work papers, straightening their lockers, and organizing books and materials.

Hill School Grapevine Campus students have priority for acceptance in Hill High School, on the Fort Worth Campus in southwest Fort Worth, near I-20 and McCart Ave. (MAP). Bus service is provided from the Northeast Tarrant County Area, with daily pick-up and drop-off near Glade Road and Hwy. 26 in Colleyville.

Hill School Grapevine Campus

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