Middle School

Middle School Program

The middle school program strives to encourage independent and critical thinking across all subject areas. Each student is viewed as an individual who brings different experiences, ideas, interests, and learning styles to the classroom. Students take on a more active role in organizing and planning their daily school routine, taking ownership of their learning experience as well as understanding their role as leaders within the school community. Collaboration and creative thought are encouraged as students participate in real-world discussions and problem-solve.

Electives

Students can choose one of four workshops: Technology Trends, Drama, Woodshop, and Math + Art = String Art.

Coding

Students complete a 6-week curriculum on coding, exploring key programming concepts including conditional statements, repeat loops, nested loops, functions, parameters and debugging. Common program languages used include Binary code, JavaScript, and HTML. In addition, students participate annually in the Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.

Science Olympics

Students work in groups by grade level to solve and construct three engineering challenges. Past challenges have included bridge construction, rockets, parachute egg drop, glider planes, and catapults to name a few. Students then compete at grade level.

Student Council Named Gold Council of Excellence

Hilltop’s Student Council was recognized by the National Association of Student Councils as a Gold Council of Excellence. Hilltop’s council is led by elected members of the eighth grade class and representatives from students in grades four through eight. During the 2016-17 school year the council donated more than $1,500 to The Seeing Eye. These funds were raised through a number of Dress Down Day fundraisers. The Student Council also plans several social events throughout the year including movie nights, holiday parties and a spring carnival.