REVIEW OF The Hill Academy BY parent, Sam Kane

(5) Student Experience

Our Son Matt, recalls his experience at The Hill Academy as a moulding experience but in a spectacular way. There are a variety of factors that contributed to his positive experience at The Hill Academy. Things like a strong sense of community and belonging, a supportive learning environment, a focus on individual learning, and athletic programs that were tailored to his interests and needs. The Hill Academy and the Merrill Family have high standards and expectations for all students and always encourage them to reach their full potential. Matt appreciates The Hill's emphasis on the relationship between physical fitness and mental fitness. It seems to be the philosophy of the school that the two go hand in hand and which I agree with. The school has done a good job of marrying these two aspects of education.

(5) School Leadership

The school leadership and administration at The Hill Academy have a strong focus on character development and personal growth, which will help student-athletes become well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on the challenges of the future. The teachers and coaches sure do know how to handle the student-athletes both in the classroom and out of the classroom as discipline is one of the key lessons of sport. The Hill student-athletes are given the opportunity to develop and improve their leadership skills as well. These skills can be applied throughout the student athlete’s life. Communication between leadership and parents is constant as they have a busy sporting schedule all year long, moreover feedback on how the students are doing.

(5) Teaching

The quality of instruction at The Hill Academy is very high, and the teachers and coaches are passionate about their subjects and about educating their students. They are knowledgeable and up-to-date on the latest developments in their fields, and they communicate effectively with students and parents. They also make good use of the technology that is embedded throughout the school as both a learning tool and a platform for student-athletes to balance their academic demands during athletic travel and competition. They provide constructive feedback and support to help students achieve their goals. The school does an excellent job of balancing challenge, sport, and support, with students receiving the individualized attention and resources they need to succeed. Overall, the teaching at The Hill Academy is of a very high caliber. For Matt, Hill provided integrated academic opportunities that made him grow into the great leader he is capable of being.

(5) Academics

The Hill Academy’s academic program is rigorous and challenging, with a focus on preparing the student-athletes for post-secondary education. The school’s small class sizes allow for individualized attention and support from teachers and coaches, and the curriculum is designed to prepare students-athletes for success in university or college. In terms of strengths, the school has a reputation for strong academics, with students-athletes often going on to attend prestigious universities. The school also has a strong focus on leadership development and student engagement, which contributes to the overall academic success of students. The academic culture at The Hill Academy is focused on collaboration, teamwork, and problem-solving. The school encourages students to work together and learn from each other, rather than relying solely on individual achievement. The atmosphere is supportive and encouraging, with teachers and peers alike willing to help students who are struggling.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

There are a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities available at The Hill Academy, including both competitive and non-competitive options. The school has teams in various sports, as well as clubs and organizations for students with a variety of interests. There are also opportunities for students to participate in community service, leadership development, and other activities that help them develop their passions and interests. Overall, the school does a great job of providing a well-rounded experience for students that goes beyond the classroom.

(5) Students

The student body at The Hill Academy is relatively small around 250 students with class sizes of up to about 14 per class, which creates a close-knit and supportive atmosphere schoolwide. Students are encouraged to form friendships and get to know each other as there are a few day scholars, a few in homestay a bunch in boarding school who are probably not from the area. Hence, The school provides many opportunities for students to interact outside of the classroom such as prep rallies, dances and even picnics. The student body is diverse, and students are encouraged to be accepting and supportive of one another despite sporting discipline, gender or background. The school has a positive spirit and atmosphere, and students feel comfortable and safe. The students are engaged and active, and the overall atmosphere is very positive.

(5) School Life

The overall quality of student-athlete's life at The Hill Academy is balanced and oriented. They follow a certain routine whereby The Hill Academy dedicates all of its resources to ensuring the success of its student-athletes, in a positive and energizing environment. Matt loved being there, it was his paradise. Having to pursue his dream while being able to learn as well which was something that was not available at his previous school. He said the amount of homework load was manageable considering they had to be in practice, games, and sometimes on the road at times. They would even have downtime activities like movie nights and hikes, which they would use to decompress. As a student-athlete, sometimes the pressure mounts and there is a need for pressure release, The Hill Academy understood that.

(4.5) Community

The parent community at The Hill Academy is very involved and supportive. The school values parent involvement and provides many opportunities for parents to be involved in the school community. Parents are more than welcome and encouraged to attend events such as games and meetings, volunteer, and participate in school activities. The parent community is welcoming and supportive, and there is a strong sense of togetherness among parents. All in all, the broader community at The Hill Academy is very positive and supportive of the school and its students. The school is very welcoming and supportive of parent involvement, but there is always room for improvement. The school could provide more opportunities for parental involvement by making it easier for parents to volunteer and allow parents to come up with more ways to fundraise for different causes throughout the year.

(4.5) School Location

The surrounding neighbourhood and community had a big positive impact on Matt's experience at the Hill. The community was a source of support and inspiration and also provided opportunities for him to get involved and make a difference. Being a boarder, he was away from home but felt at home as well as part of the community. The school is pretty big over 134 acres, which provides much room for the student-athletes to venture around and explore. It has beautiful scenery and surroundings.

(5) Admissions

I would advise any prospective student-athlete to first research The Hill thoroughly: Make sure you understand their mission, values, and academic programs to ensure it's a good fit for you. So it's always a good idea to tour the school and talk with current student-athletes. Moreover to start the application process early as there are limited spots. Lastly, be authentic with the coaches and admission officers, and showcase your unique personality and experiences in your application materials. Admissions officers and coaches want to get to know the real you! It was stressful for us and Matt as it had been the plan but it sure was kind of requiring.

(4.5) University placement and counselling

As a parent, I found the university counseling program at The Hill Academy to be extremely supportive and communicative. Our counselor was always available to answer our questions and provide updates on Matt's progress. We appreciated the way the program worked closely with us to help our child identify universities that were a good fit for their interests and goals. While the application process can be overwhelming for both students and parents, we felt confident that our child was well-prepared and supported by the university counseling program at The Hill Academy. In addition to the support provided to Matt, we were also impressed with the range of resources and connections offered by the counseling program. Matt was able to attend information sessions with university representatives and receive guidance on scholarship applications, which we believe helped them make informed decisions about their post-secondary education.