New Families

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• Summer Family Gatherings

  During the summer break, our parent volunteers organize grade-level gatherings for both new and returning families. Whether at a nearby park or someone's backyard, these casual get-togethers are designed to provide opportunities for new students to connect with their peers and for new parents to forge friendships. We encourage you to join us for these family-to-family welcomes!

• Key Back-to-School Dates

  Our 2024-2025 school calendar is in final review and will be available soon. For now, please save these important back-to-school dates:
  
  

  • August 18: New Family Welcome Reception (Adults Only), 4:00-6:00pm
  • August 22: Kindergarten Parent/Guardian Orientation (Zoom), 8:30-9:30am
  • August 23: ECE Student Orientation & Classroom Visits, 8:30am-12:00pm
  • August 23: 6th Grade Student Orientation, 1:00-4:00pm
  • August 23: 6th Grade Parent/Guardian Orientation, 3:00-4:00pm
  • August 23: Back to School BBQ and Meet Your Teacher, 4:00-6:00pm
  • August 26: First Day of School, ECE Early Dismissal, Welcome Back Brunch
  • September 2: Labor Day – No School
  • September 4: ECE Back to School Night
  • September 5: Middle School Back to School Night
  • September 10: Parent Involvement Association (PIA) Meeting
  • September 12: Lower School Back to School Night

• ECE Drop-Off, Pick-Up & Early/Aftercare

  Regular ECE drop-off time starts at 8:30am. If you require earlier drop-off, please enroll your child in Early Care. Parents can utilize designated parking areas including ECE 7-minute parking, 30-minute parking, or the Equestrian Center. For licensing compliance, all ECE students must be walked and signed in via Curacubby at their respective classroom.
  
  

  ECE pick-up is at 2:15pm. Families with ECE and other school-level children have the option to either collect their ECE child first and then join the 2:30, 3:00, or 3:20 carline, or wait and pick up their older child on foot.

   

  ECE Early/Aftercare is available daily from 7:00-8:30am and from 2:15-6:00pm. For inquiries regarding ECE Early/Aftercare, please reach out to Director of ECE, Daphna Klugman.

• K-8 Drop-Off, Pick-Up & Extended Day (XD)

  Drop-off for K-8 students begins at 7:40am. If you require earlier drop-off, please enroll your child in Extended Day. Parents may also utilize parking at the Equestrian Center and accompany their student to their classroom.

   

  Pick-up times vary by grade level: 2:30 for K-2 students, 3:00 for 3rd-5th students, and 3:20 for Middle School students. Except for ECE families, our goal is for each family to utilize afternoon carline ONCE upon the dismissal of their oldest student.
  
  

  Extended Day (XD) services for K-8 students are offered daily from 7:00-8:00an and from 2:30-6:00pm. For any inquiries regarding Extended Day, please email Director of Extended Day Sammy Buono. Visit the Extended Day page for detailed information and enrollment.

• Carline and Driving In and Out of Campus

  Due to narrow access lanes, your cooperation and courtesy are vital for ensuring the safety of our children.
  
  

  Each family will receive a color-coded placard with your family’s name, corresponding to your student’s division level, prior to the first day of school. When arriving on campus for drop-off or pick-up, please display the placard on the passenger side dashboard or visor for visibility to Seven Hills staff as you proceed through.
  
  

  For smooth traffic flow, please utilize the left lane for through traffic, reserving the right lane for dropping off and picking up children.
  
  

  Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten parents are required to park and escort their children to and from the classroom to adhere to licensing regulations.
  
  

  ECE parking is permitted in the 7 or 30-minute drop-off zones located at the forefront of the drop-off circle. Outside the hours of 8:3am to 2:00pm, parking along the curb is also permitted.
  
  

  Further details regarding carline procedures will be communicated before the commencement of the school year.

• Staying Connected - Communication

  Communication between home and school is a high priority at Seven Hills. Parents can anticipate receiving additional communication from Head of School Kathleen McNamara and their division head during the first week of August. Starting Saturday, August 19, parents will receive the weekly Monday Memo newsletter, serving as the primary source for practical and time-sensitive information regarding upcoming events and activities.

• Lower School Uniforms

  Land's End is Seven Hills' official provider of uniforms. All students in grades K-5 must wear a uniform; ECE and Middle School students do not require uniforms. Please visit our Seven Hills uniform site. Every Friday, K-5 students are allowed to choose their own clothing—this is referred to as free dress Friday.

  
  

  There is no need to purchase all of the items available for your child—you may pick and choose what you like, staying within the list of approved items. We also highly recommend rounding out your uniform collection with Second Time Around (see below). If your entire uniform doesn’t arrive exactly by the first day, please do not worry! Please review the Seven Hills Uniform FAQ page for further information.

   

  Students should wear rubber-soled, closed-toed shoes, such as tennis shoes. We ask that children not wear sandals, flip-flops, or shoes with slippery soles, as they are a safety hazard during recess and PE and limit a child’s mobility on campus.

• Second Time Around (STA)

  The Second Time Around (STA) shop at Seven Hills offers parents the chance to discover gently worn school uniform items at significant savings of $5 per item. STA shopping opportunities will be available at the Back to School BBQ before the school year commences.
  
  Alternatively, parents can obtain a key from the front desk during the summer to access the Second Time Around closet for shopping, with costs added to their student's online account.

• Community Lunch

  Seven Hills offers a lunch program of well-balanced meals provided by our dining partner, Epicurean Group. Visit our Community Lunch page for more information.
  
  Tuition fees cover daily snacks and lunch for all students, eliminating the need for parents to pack food. Our menu typically includes a daily hot entree, vegetarian/vegan options, and a salad bar with sandwich choices. Families will receive the monthly menu in advance.

• Summer Resources and Homework

  Our teachers compile a creative list of summer resources and assignments to help keep your child’s skills fresh this summer. The aim of summer homework is to provide engagement, enrichment, skills practice, and ongoing learning; it should not become a burdensome chore for families. We also encourage parents to read to, read next to, and read with their children this summer! More details about summer experiences, resources, and homework will be linked on the right side of this page in June 2024.