Student Body and Curriculum
All students attend classes in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science, as well as supplementary classes in Music, Art, Art History, Physical Education and Computer Technology. Hilltop also provides a strong program in World Language, with students having the option of French or Spanish, beginning in preschool. Students in grades 5 will also take one trimester of Mandarin Chinese through the Berlitz Virtual Classroom program. Students in kindergarten through grade 8 will be able to study Mandarin through the Berlitz Program in a new Enrichment Program offering after school.
Early childhood
The Early Childhood Division consists of students in preschool-kindergarten. Preschoolers must be 2 1/2 and independently toilet trained to be considered for admission.
Lower School
The Lower School program consists of students in first grade through fourth grade.
Upper School
The Upper School consists of students in the fifth through eighth grade and uses a curriculum integrated with that of the Lower School.
In recent years, graduates have attended competitive local high schools including Blair Academy, Newark Academy and the Peddie School, as well as local public high schools.
PEAKS Program
The PEAKS program pairs younger and older students together to participate together in activities designed to teach students respect for others, teamwork and to smooth the transition between the Lower and Upper Schools. The parings are as follows:
- Prek-4th grade
- Kindergarten-5th grade
- 1st grade-6th grade
- 2nd grade-7th grade
- 3rd grade-8th grade
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