How to Tell if Your Child Needs Hillside
The Hillside School is a mission driven educational institution. We are designed for intelligent students who struggle in a traditional school setting due to specific learning disabilities and processing disorders, as well as ADHD. Many of our students often arrive here after difficult, large-classroom experiences, feeling misunderstood.
Since we are unable to serve all students who struggle in a traditional environment, it is imperative that a family determine a child’s fit with Hillside. We ask families to first inquire prior to touring and applying to discuss the child’s challenges.
Fit with Hillside
Typically, when students initially enter Hillside, they show weakness in one or more of these areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Spelling
- Memory Skills
- Executive Functioning
- Receptive & Expressive Language
- Work Pace
- Inattention to details or excessive focus on them
Some of our students have also been diagnosed with one or more learning disabilities or associated disorders:
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- ADHD
- Dyspraxia
- Auditory Processing Disorder
- Language Processing Disorder
- Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Disorder
- Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
We understand that traditional school experiences can be difficult for a child, parents, and even siblings. If you believe your child may could benefit from a Hillside education, please complete an inquiry form to begin the conversation with us.
Inquiry
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
