Our Focus
The Hillside School is a mission driven school designed primarily for students with language based learning disabilities, ADHD and/or executive functioning deficits. Our students typically have average to superior intelligence and disorders that impact an individual’s “ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations.”
In traditional environments, mission appropriate students are not able to achieve their potential. Many students who come to Hillside perform on multiple grade levels in different subject areas. Despite their efforts and negative classroom experiences, students feel misunderstood and frustrated after not experiencing success in learning.
Hillside’s programs, instructional methods, assistive technology and professional development for teachers are specific to students who benefit from the mission. There are learning profiles that are not supported at Hillside, including those with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Behavioral Conduct Disorders
- Emotional Disturbance
Determining a Child’s Fit with Hillside
Our focus on students with “specific learning disabilities” means that students who are a good fit for The Hillside School may have one or multiple disorders within that category. Hillside is not designed for all students who learn differently. Since we are unable to serve all students who struggle with learning, it is essential that a family review the common diagnoses of students we serve and compare them to their own child’s diagnoses and/or challenges.
Diagnoses of learning disabilities and associated disorders:
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- ADHD
- Dyspraxia
- Auditory Processing Disorder
- Expressive or Receptive Language Processing Disorder
- Executive Functioning Disorder
- Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Disorder
- Non-Verbal Learning Disorder
Typically, when students initially enter Hillside, they show weakness in one or more of these areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Spelling
- Working Memory
- Executive Functioning
- Receptive and Expressive Language
- Processing Speed
- Work Pace
- Inattention
If you believe your child may benefit from a Hillside education, please complete an inquiry form to begin the conversation with the Director of Enrollment & Community Outreach.
Inquire
If you believe that The Hillside School may be a good fit for your child, please complete the online inquiry form. Within days, Ian Schreffler, Director of Enrollment & Community Outreach, will contact you to discuss your student’s needs. We will schedule a visit by phone or email to tour the school and learn how our unique methods can support your child, if appropriate.
Tour
The tour is an opportunity for you, along with your child if you so choose, to learn more about Hillside and for our Admissions team to learn more about your child. During your 60-minute visit, you will tour the school, review our programs, discuss your child’s needs, and meet some of our faculty, staff, and students. We can assist you with the application process if you are interested.
If you have any questions at any point, please contact Ian Schreffler, Director of Enrollment & Community Outreach at ischreffler@hillsideschool.org or 610-967-3701.
“We walked into Hillside–anxious, frustrated and emotionally drained. Our son Jack had been recently diagnosed with dyslexia, and struggled with auditory processing. In Hillside we found a place where he was supported, encouraged, and taught to advocate for himself.” – Liz Edelman, Parent
