FAQs
Q. What is an independent school and what are the advantages?

A. Independent schools are board driven and guided by the mission statement and school philosophy. They are supported by tuition, fundraising and charitable donations. Advantages of an independent school include individualized attention, innovative curriculum, and a safe environment. Students often do better in an teaching environment in which a love for learning is fostered.

 

Q. Does Spring Hill School have an religious affiliation?
A. No, Spring Hill School is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with no religious affiliation. We have leased our facility from the United Methodist Church since 1977, but we are completely independent. We welcome students of all faiths and we attempt to be sensitive to all religious cultures, customs and holidays.

 

Q. What is the student/teacher ratio at Spring Hill School?
A. We have many classroom teachers, classroom aides and  specialty teachers on campus, bringing our student/teacher ratio to approximately 1:10

 

Q. Do you require entrance testing?

A. We meet with all prospective students and their families from kindergarten through eighth grade. All assessments are one-on-one by appointment, with an application, teacher recommendation and report card submitted prior to the assessment.
 

Q. What makes Spring Hill an advanced school?

A. Our curriculum and educational philosophy is the core of our advanced education. For example, we have a full-day, academic kindergarten. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade, students are taught Spanish. When they enter fourth grade, Latin is taught in addition to Spanish. In math, children are taught the basics and then introduced to algebra in the fourth grade. For students who need to move on in math, we offer online math classes in conjunction with Stanford University.

 

Q. I've heard that Spring Hill school is only for gifted kids. I don't think my child is gifted and wonder if it would be a good fit.

A. We offer an advanced curriculum for all students who are bright, motivated and who love to learn.  We also understand the social, emotional and academic needs of gifted children. We believe that all children can benefit from a differentiated curriculum, small class sizes and flexible learning methods. Our teaching is visual-spatial, hands-on and subjects are integrated. Our curriculum is fast-paced and our students are never bored. We have lots of movement and recess time for free play. We offer a well-rounded education with drama, music, P.E., art and gardening in addition to science, math and writing.

 

Q. What is differentiated instruction and ability grouping?
A. Differentiated instruction begins with a realization that students have varied readiness, language, learning styles and interests. Differentiated instruction is a process of teaching students of differing abilities in the same class. This type of instruction is intended to maximize the growth and individual success of each student.
 
Ability grouping is just that-- placing children into groups based on their ability. Children are given the opportunity to move in and out of groups as needed. This flexibility of grouping allows the needs of children to be better met.

Q. What is Spring Hill School's enrollment and how many students are there in each grade?
A. Spring Hill School consists of 156 students, with one class per grade. The target enrollment for each grade is 16. Classes vary in size from year to year - sometimes lower, sometimes a bit higher, but capped at 18.

 

Q. What are the homework guidelines for Spring Hill School?

A. Time Guidelines

The time allotted to homework increases gradually from grade to grade. The following is a list of approximate expected nightly homework time for each grade:

Grade K: 15 minutes - reading to or with your child

Grades 1: 20 minutes of homework and 15 minutes of reading daily

Grade 2: 30 minutes of homework and 15 minutes of reading daily

Grade 3: 30-40 minutes of homework and 15-20 minutes of reading

Grade 4: 45 minutes of homework and some projects

Grades 5 -8:  45-60 minutes of homework and some long-range projects

 

These time guidelines are approximate. Individual students’ abilities always need to be taken into consideration. Problems and concerns with homework assignments or the amount of time a child is spending on homework should should be discussed with the teacher. 

 

The purpose of the homework assignment and its relation to what has been learned in the classroom is explained to the pupil. Students should understand fully not only what to do, but also how to do it and when it is due. Homework develops from classroom tasks and projects or will focus on skills/strategy reinforcement. Assignments are varied and require the use of a number of skills. Every homework assignment is collected, corrected, graded, and returned. Teachers provide students with the means to record daily and long-term assignments

 

Q. Do you require parent service hours and if so, how many?

A. Our policy is 25 hours of parent volunteer hours per year.

Q. Does your school require uniforms?

A. No. There is, however, a dress code for each division, to which all students must adhere. Our school was founded as a non-uniform school and has remained one to date.

Q. Does Spring Hill School offer transportation?
A. Yes. Starting in the 2013-2014 school year, we are offering bus service. Please contact us for more information and a copy of our bus routes. Carpooling is also an option. We have families drive from as far as Carmel Valley and Watsonville to the south, and from Bonny Doon in the North. We assist families to help them form carpools.

 

Q. When can I visit Spring Hill School?
A. Spring Hill Schools holds frequent open houses which are listed on the "Open House" tab. An individual tour and/or visitation days can be scheduled through the admissions office.

Q. If we apply for financial aid, will that impact the school’s admission decision?
A. Our admission process is need-blind and is completely separate from the financial aid application.


Q. Are there  sports at Spring Hill School, and how does my child get involved?
A. Spring Hill School offers sports at school and after school. Our upper grades have teams in volleyball and basketball who play against other independent schools in the area.To participate in after school sports,students attend a meeting to sign up.


Q. Are there break programs at Spring Hill School?
A. Yes. We offer break programs during the winter, spring and summer. Each program has a special theme with class offerings and include field trips.