frequently asked questions

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How long has Hill School been serving the students of Tarrant County?

Hill School began serving students of Fort Worth in 1973. Since then, we have grown to serve students from over 50 zip codes in the DFW area!

Is Hill School accredited?

Yes. Hill School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) since 1985. Additionally, Hill School is fully accredited by AdvancED (parent organization of SACS). Hill School is also nationally recognized as an exemplary school by the All Kinds of Minds Institute.

What grade levels are offered at Hill School?

Hill School offers grades Kindergarten through 12 in three academic divisions: Lower School (grades K-5); Middle School (grades 6-8); and Upper School (grades 9-12).

What makes the Hill School’s program successful?

We believe every student can succeed. Our teachers look beyond learning difference labels to address the student’s individual needs, building confidence through authentic learning and building upon each student’s skill set. Small classes, (no more than 8 students in lower school classes and no more than 12 students in middle and upper school classes), allow for very targeted and personalized instruction.

What kind of learning environment can one expect at Hill School?

Teachers at Hill School strive to create the most positive learning environment possible. Teachers fortify a student’s strengths and develop a plan for supporting weaknesses. They teach to each student’s learning style, which evolves as the student develops and masters new skills over time. Our students work hard to make improvements; they’re encouraged to persevere and learn from their mistakes. Gaining control of the learning process and understanding their own learning styles provide a powerful foundation for future success. This understanding increases self-esteem, self-confidence, and social skills.

Where is Hill School located?

You’ll find us at 4817 Odessa Avenue in southwest Fort Worth. Visitors to the school should enter our main parking lot from Martin Lydon Avenue. Click here for directions.

Who are Hill School students?

While there is no typical Hill School student, students who attend Hill generally demonstrate the following characteristics:

Average to above-average cognitive abilities
Diagnosed learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, mild ASD (or those formerly diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome), language or processing difficulties.
Students may have experienced anxiety and frustration in a typical school setting. Classwork and/or homework may be overwhelming; organizational skills may be poor; reading and comprehension may be difficult; and social struggles may impact their interactions with peers.

Where may we purchase uniforms?

Uniforms are available at Mills Uniform Company’s retail store at 6080 S Hulen St Suite 390 in Fort Worth and on a customized Hill School online store at millswear.com. You can use the online store anytime to shop virtually and review our approved uniform guidelines on the Uniform Program listing. Our school code is 3361.
The local store is open Tuesday Saturday year-round with extended days and hours during back-to-school season. More information can be found on milllswear.com or by calling the store directly at 817-563-7100. Mills Uniform Company Customer Service can be reached through their website or toll-free at 800-541-1850.

glossary

accommodations

Strategies used to bypass a weak academic skill. These strategies are designed to ensure success for the learner. For example, a student with dysgraphia might use a computer to complete written assignments.

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is defined by The National Institutes of Health as having symptoms that include: impulsiveness, a child who acts quickly without thinking first. Hyperactivity, a child who can’t sit still, walks, runs, or climbs around when others are seated, talks when others are talking. Inattention, a child who daydreams or seems to be in another world, is sidetracked by what is going on around him or her.

affinities

Those areas of interest or passion that a student has in a content area or activity. Affinities may be useful to help students acquire academic skills and/or strengthen areas of weakness.

All Kinds of Minds

An organization designed to help students who struggle with learning measurably improve their success in school and life by providing programs that integrate educational, scientific, and clinical expertise.

AR

The abbreviation used for the Accelerated Reader program, which provides personalized reading access and review to encourage life-long love of reading.

CSAF

Christian Schools Athletic Fellowship, the league for Hill academic and athletic competitions for elementary and middle schools.

curriculum standards

Hill School correlates our curriculum with the Texas Education Agency “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills” (TEKS), including state-adopted textbooks.

dyscalculia

A term referring to a wide range of life-long learning disabilities involving math. There is no single form of math disability, and difficulties vary from person to person and affect people differently in school and throughout life.

dysgraphia

A neurological disorder characterized by writing disabilities. It generally emerges when they are first introduced to writing, with inappropriately sized and spaced letters, or wrong or misspelled words even when the student knows the correct word and spelling.

dyslexia

A brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person’s ability to read. Although it varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with spelling, phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds), and/or rapid visual-verbal responding.

An e-newsletter sent out to all Hill School parents every other week, with content pertinent to each academic division of the school. It provides news updates as well as an overview of upcoming events and student-related activities, while keeping members of our Hawk family immersed in all things Hill.

instructional framework

Hill uses the Schools Attuned to All Kinds of Minds’ instructional framework to develop student learning profiles and provide the knowledge, tools, and skills needed to help frustrated students become more successful in school. Learn More

interventions

Strategies intended to strengthen a weak academic skill. For students who have trouble with spelling, an intervention might be to pick out the correctly spelled word from a set of words.

national recognition

Hill School has been designated 1 of only 11 All Kinds of Minds “Schools of Distinction” in the country for successful integration of Schools Attuned instructional techniques.

psycho-educational testing

A series of diagnostic tests that provide us with detailed information regarding a student’s learning profile. These tests should include: some form of IQ testing (WAIS or WISC-III) as well as achievement tests (Woodcock Johnson testing, or other nationally-normed achievement test). Other measures indicating a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, Asperger’s Syndrome, disorder of written expression, or other learning difference are exceptionally helpful during the application process.

Schools Attuned to All Kinds of Minds

A 45-hour long course and national training program developed by the All Kinds of Minds Institute in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, designed to help educators better understand and manage children’s learning differences. Hill School teachers are required to attend the Schools Attuned training within one year of employment.

TCAF

Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship, the state-wide league for Hill academic and athletic competitions for high school students.