Our Program
Hill Summer provides five weeks of daily instruction in reading, writing, and math for students in rising 1-8 grades.
Modeled after Hill School and based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, this program uses research-based methodologies and individualized, multisensory instruction, delivered in a 4:1 student-teacher ratio by caring, expert educators, to support students’ academic needs. Students are assessed at the start of the program and throughout to enable faculty to identify and target key instructional skills to help prepare students for the next school year.
Spaces in Hill Summer 2024 are filling up! We recommend you apply as soon as possible. This program will reach capacity. Click here to begin your application. If you are a returning family, you do not need to reapply.
It’s all about reading, writing, math, and fun at Hill Summer!
Hill’s reading methodology (HillRAP) is Orton-Gillingham based and teaches core reading skills from the basics of identifying letters and initial sounds to fluently reading and comprehending texts with multi-syllabic words. Skills are taught and reinforced through 6 components:
Drill, Phonological Awareness, Word Attack, Fluency, Vocabulary, & Comprehension
Through these components, students learn key reading skills, including:
- Learning letters, sounds, syllables, and rhyming
- Decoding words through phonics rules
- Reading fluently with increased speed, accuracy, and proper expression
- Expanding vocabulary knowledge and strategies to learn the meaning of new words
- Applying decoding and fluency skills to texts
- Processing texts for understanding and application to prior knowledge
Hill’s writing methodology (HillWrite) teaches core writing skills from the basics of writing initial letters sounds to organizing and writing multi-paragraph essays. Skills are taught and reinforced through 5 components:
Drill, Oral & Written Spelling, Copying/Dictation, Handwriting, & Written Composition
Through these components, students learn key skills, including:
- Breaking spelling words into parts orally to help associate the sounds with letters
- Learning to spell words from phonetic and sight word lists
- Increasing speed and accuracy with notetaking
- Strengthening capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and proofreading skills
- Improving letter formation, reduce reversals, and correct word spacing
- Developing writing skills through an emphasis on breaking down the writing process and supporting students through each stage
Hill’s math methodology teaches core math skills from the basics of identifying numbers and counting to multi-step problems. Skills are taught and reinforced through 6 components:
Fluency, Number Sense, Review, Problem Solving, Curriculum, & Reflection
Through these components, students learn key mathematical skills, including:
- Accessing math facts fluently through recall or learned strategies
- Understanding relationships between numbers
- Thinking flexibly about numbers and using prior knowledge to solve problems
- Learning strategies for solving word problems
- Using a CRA approach to learning mathematical concepts:
- Concrete: hands-on learning with manipulatives
- Representational: using visuals to “see” the math
- Abstract: symbolic stage utilizing numbers and symbols
Hill Summer is a program that students look forward to every year. Each day they come to Hill they are getting the opportunity to grow in an environment that is ideal for learning. Add to that daily recess, no homework, popsicles, and community projects, and you’ve got an ideal summer waiting!
Program Specifics
Hill Summer 2024
Dates: June 24 – July 26, 2024 (off 7/4-7/5)
Times: 8:30-11:30AM or 12:30-3:30PM
Cost: $3,225
Grade Range: Rising 1-8
More about Hill Summer
Students attend either Hill’s morning (8:30 – 11:30 am) or afternoon (12:30 – 3:30 pm) session. Both sessions offer a 15-minute drop-off window before classes begin. On a typical day, students attend three 50-minute classes with a 15-minute recess break between the second and third classes. After their session ends, they can relax and enjoy the rest of their day without any homework to complete.
No, a diagnosis is not required for admission to Hill Summer, although many of our students have a diagnosis of ADHD or a learning difference in reading, writing, or math.
All Hill Summer faculty are licensed and highly trained in Hill Methodology and other research-based strategies. They receive ongoing support and mentoring throughout the summer. Summer faculty include both current Hill teachers, as well as local teachers.
Hill Summer families are eligible to sign up for half-day camps at Durham Academy (DA) to provide families a full-day option. Students register for a morning Summit at DA and then attend Hill’s afternoon session. Transportation and lunch supervision are provided. Contact our admissions team to learn more.
Hill Summer families can complement the half-day program with a social skills group on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30AM-12:30PM. Families are encouraged to contact Emerge to learn more.