Our Model
Established in 1977, Hill School is a unique, half-day program providing academic instruction in a highly differentiated environment to students in grades 1-12.
Designed for students with attention deficit disorders or specific learning differences in reading, writing, and math with average to above-average cognitive abilities, the 4:1 student-faculty ratio enables faculty to assist each child in realizing their potential by providing direct, individualized instruction daily in reading, writing, and math.
Faculty continuously adapt instruction to help students strengthen academic skills, build executive function skills, and develop self-confidence. The small-group setting fosters high engagement and strong relations between faculty and students, creating an environment where students learn to self-advocate and take responsibility for their learning. With the half-day model, Hill partners with about 70 public, private, and home schools each year to collaborate and support student success.
Understanding the Half-Day Model
- Hill students are dually enrolled in about 70 different area schools spanning over various school districts including Durham, Wake, Orange, Chatham, and Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools. On average, 60% of our students attend public schools, 25% attend private schools, and 15% home school.
- Each Hill student is assigned an advisor who serves as the main contact for communication with the other school throughout the school year.
- During the school year, Hill sends quarterly updates to the other school to share student progress. If a student has an IEP, Hill supports the IEP process and coordinates with the school if needed.
Transportation is not typically provided to or from Hill but many families utilize the following:
- Hill’s spacious on-campus commons space where parents can work or relax comfortably on campus during their child’s session
- Carpools
- Transportation Services
- Transportation is provided by three local private schools – Durham Academy, Triangle Day School, and Lerner Jewish Community Day School
- Contact admissions@hillcenter.org to learn more about commonly used transportation services.
- Students in grades 1-8 attend Hill for 3 daily classes in reading, writing, and math.
- Students in grades 9-12 may attend for 1, 2, or 3 classes and may choose from the following options – English, Academic Writing, Math and Spanish. High school classes meet NC state standards, enabling students to earn required credits for graduation.
Students attend either Hill’s morning (8:10 – 11:00 am) or afternoon (12:15 – 3:05 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 break between the second and third classes. An after-school study hall is available for afternoon students on Monday – Thursday from 3:15-4:00 pm.
It is rare to find a school community that can truly meet each student where they are with education all while, keeping school fun and providing the emotional support to build confidence.
Current Hill School Parent
The Teaching Team at Hill School
Our model wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated educators of Hill School. Every day our 28 teachers and 3 instructional assistants pursue our mission of working to transform students with learning differences into confident, independent learners.
Alumni Profile
Meet Hunter Walker
Hunter Walker looks back on her time at the Hill Learning Center and how its academic programs got her to where she is today.
Center Contacts
