An Education At Hundred Hills School Stands Apart
Parents who are seeking an alternative to public schooling often turn to private schools that promise academic excellence, college prep, and enriched extracurricular opportunities. Among educational options in the valley, Hundred Hills School stands distinctly apart. Rooted in a profound understanding of human development, the school’s approach to education nurtures not only intellectual growth but also emotional resilience, creativity, moral integrity, and a deep connection to the natural world.
In this article, I’ll touch on 7 key ways an education at Hundred Hills stands far apart from other schools and what we inspire families to think about when choosing a school for their child.
1.
One of the most defining characteristics of Hundred Hills School is its deep respect for the stages of child development. Instead of accelerating academics, we introduce learning in alignment with the physical, emotional, and cognitive readiness at each phase of a child’s development. For example, in early childhood, learning happens through play and imitation. We understand that from birth to age seven, children learn primarily through imitation and sensory experiences. Our early childhood programs emphasize imaginative play, storytelling, music, movement, and meaningful, practical activities such as baking, gardening, and handwork. Formal academics are intentionally not introduced at this stage to allow for the healthy development of the children’s physical body and foundational senses. According to a report from the Harvard Medical School Magazine, free play allows for maximum imagination and cognitive growth, encouraging children to create and master their own world. It is a vital, brain-building exercise that should be prioritized to help children develop into competent adults.
In the elementary years, learning happens through imagination. Between the ages of seven and fourteen, children are especially receptive to imaginative and artistic instruction. Therefore, academic subjects are introduced through stories, myths, and creative expression which enables the children to form deep emotional connections with what they learn. Instead of worksheets that lack inspired learning and are often quickly often forgotten, at Hundred Hills, children remember what they learn because they have been inspired. The reason being that the education we offer is holistic, and it integrates academic subjects, thus creating a more expansive way of learning.
In contrast to prioritizing early academic achievement and standardized benchmarks, we honor the unfolding of childhood. Our educational approach leads to deeper comprehension and a lifelong love of learning, and we do this by educating the whole child, Head, Heart, and Hands.
2.
The education your child receives at Hundred Hills is guided by educating the head (thinking), heart (feeling), and hands (willing). Our holistic philosophy ensures that intellectual development is balanced with emotional intelligence and practical competence. We integrate the arts as a disciplined way of learning, and artistic activities have an important role in the curriculum. As early as the preschool years, children begin to engage in painting, drawing, music, drama, movement, woodworking, and handwork. Research shows that these experiences enhance cognitive development while also nurturing creativity and self-expression. Children engage in activities like knitting, sewing, gardening, and cooking, which support the development of perseverance, patience, and responsibility. Activities like these foster a sense of accomplishment and contribute to meaningful work. While many schools will offer arts and extracurricular activities, these are often secondary to academics. A Hundred Hills education integrates artistic and practical experiences into every aspect of learning, which creates a more balanced, holistic educational experience.“The abilities that matter most for a child’s success in school are not purely cognitive; they include self-control, enthusiasm, persistence, and the ability to motivate oneself.” Daniel Goleman
3.
Our education philosophy views imagination not as a diversion from academic learning but as its foundation. This is why we cultivate the children’s imagination as a foundation for their intellectual growth. By engaging the imagination, teachers help students internalize knowledge in a meaningful and lasting way, and this cultivates joy for learning. We bring imagination into teaching through storytelling and a narrative approach. Subjects such as language arts, history, math, and science are introduced through vivid storytelling. This narrative approach allows students to connect emotionally with learning, which not only enhances their ability to retain what they learn, it actually increases retention. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein
4.
Although we live in a time that is dominated by screens, at Hundred Hills School, we have a thoughtful and intentional approach to technology. We recognize the importance of direct human interaction and the value of healthy sensory experiences, especially in the early years. Therefore, there is no screen use, and we also ask parents to do the same for their young child, as it negatively impacts the young child’s developing brain and ability to think their own thoughts. Here are five benefits of a screen-free childhood for your young child: 1. Greater attention and concentration capabilities. 2. Stronger social and communication skills. 3. Greater creativity and imaginative capacities. 4. Improved physical coordination and overall emotional health. 5. A deeper connection with the natural world. Technology is introduced in later grades when the children are developmentally ready to engage with it critically and responsibly. Unlike many schools that promote early exposure to screens and other digital tools, we prioritize foundational human capacities first, as our goal is to ensure that technology serves them as a tool rather than the children becoming beholden to technology. “The earlier we introduce screens, the more it affects the child’s brain development and the more likely they will have trouble managing their addiction to screens and technology later in life.” Dr. Laura Markham
5.
Our teachers work hard at creating a stable and nurturing environment that supports the long-term growth of each child in their class. They do this by first cultivating a strong sense of trust and emotional safety with each child. They collaborate with parents to support their child’s development as they create a loving and caring classroom community. At Parent Teacher conferences, which take place twice during the school year, Parents receive a comprehensive written summary describing their child’s progress, social development, personal growth, and academic progress (once in the grades). The narrative summaries offer a profound understanding of each child’s developmental journey, their strengths, and where they might need support. “Joy and enthusiasm are absolutely essential for learning to happen - literally, scientifically, as a matter of fact and research.” Dr. Judy Willis, Neurologist
6.
While other schools emphasize grades, honor achievements, and test scores as a measure of success, the education your child receives at Hundred Hills prioritizes building confidence, strengthening personal growth, and a genuine love of learning. By reducing the emphasis on grades and rankings, our school nurtures intrinsic motivation, thereby providing an environment where children learn for the joy of learning rather than for external rewards. “Praising children’s intelligence harms their motivation, and it harms their performance.” Susan Linn
7.
The school’s educational philosophy fosters a deep connection to nature and the seasonal rhythms because nature plays an essential role in child development. The outdoor experiences and seasonal celebrations the children engage in are integral to the life of each class and the life of the school, and they cultivate gratitude, reverence, and a strong sense of belonging to the school community and the wider community. At Hundred Hills School, children spend a significant amount of time outdoors engaging in activities such as gardening, nature walks, as well as caring for their surrounding environment. These experiences not only cultivate resilience but also ecological awareness in the most natural way. Although other schools might include outdoor activities and a connection with nature, few place a profound emphasis, as we do, on being in close relationship with the seasonal rhythms as central to the curriculum. Few weave seasonal experiences into the fabric of the daily and yearly life of the school. “Time in nature is not leisure time, it’s an essential investment in our children’s health.” Richard Louv
An education at Hundred Hills School offers a refreshing and deeply intentional alternative. By honoring the developmental needs of children, integrating academics, the arts, practical skills, cultivating a connection to nature and fostering meaningful relationships, we stand apart. Hundred Hills School strives to inspire families seeking an approach to education that nurtures not only academic excellence but also compassion, creativity, and a sense of purpose. We are committed to educating the whole child and to preparing children not just for careers, but for lives filled with meaning, responsibility, purpose, and joy!
By Chinyelu Kunz
Joint Head of School