Hours for Academic Attendance and Extended Day Attendance
The academic period is between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.
This is when the Lead Guides and Assistants are focused on your child’s progression through the Montessori classroom. It’s imperative your child arrives before 8:30 am to receive the full potential of each day.
Students are considered tardy after 8:30. Late arrivals disrupt children already working in the classrooms and the overall environment. When arriving late, your child can miss key information that guides them through the day.
Extended AM, PM, and Full Extended Day are additional tuition options available. Extended Day programs are enrolled separately to focus our Lead Guides’ time on the academic period, while also ensuring we maintain a ratio and environment expectant of School in the Hills outside of the academic period.
Links for Tuition & Fee breakdown Reminders
- Tuition Rates & Fees
- Invoicing & Payments
- Annual Tuition Payment Mechanics
Procare – School in the Hills’ CRM and Invoicing/Payments Platform
Please use this document to review the instructions for registering for and using Procare.
Uniforms
Children are required to wear uniform shirts/dresses to school. Pants, skirts, and shorts need to be either khaki, navy, or denim. Uniforms can be ordered from French Toast or Land’s End. Fridays are designated t-shirt days – all children are invited to wear School in the Hills t-shirts.
Children are always required to wear playground-safe, close-toed shoes.
What to Bring on Your First Day
Please label each item with your child’s first and last name.
No pillows, toys, or pacifiers allowed.
Toddler:
- 3 pictures of your child
- 1 family photo (framed for display)
- Your Toddler needs Velcro shoes to promote independence
- Blanket for naptime – we recommend this stays Monday – Friday
- Sleep buddy/lovie if needed – this will remain in their cubby outside of nap time
- A small potted plant to donate for their environment
- Diapers
- Box of wipes
- Diaper Cream
- 3 uniform t-shirts
- 3 bottoms
- 3 pairs of socks
Your classroom team will notify you if any of the above items needs replenishing or addressed.
Primary:
- 2 pictures of your child
- 1 family photo (framed for display)
- Change of clothes (at least one; you may bring more if you feel your child may need them)
- A small potted plant to donate for their environment
- Blanket if your child will be napping (this is stored in their cubby outside of nap time)
- Please do not send your child in shoes with laces unless they can tie them, or you and the Lead Guide have discussed their learning to tie. There are elements of Montessori mastery in the classroom that will be required before this point.
Your classroom team will notify you if any of the above items needs replenishing or addressed.
Elementary:
- A change of clothes if you feel your child may need one
- A small potted plant to donate for their environment
- Water bottle that is easily sealed by your child
Best Practices to Create a Successful Environment for All
Drop-off and Pick-up are more than a repetitive and necessary motion. They’re more than shuffling in and out. The tone of drop-off sets the mood and focus for the entire campus for the day. The same goes for our team greeting everyone happily and promptly to ensure a welcoming environment for your child. Please help us ensure each child starts each day the right way with a rested mind and body from a good night’s sleep, good breakfast, clean uniform, and smooth drop-off in partnership with us.
Drop-off:
Drop-off is between 8:00 – 8:30 AM for the academic day – if you arrive outside of this time, please drop your child(ren) off by checking them in directly inside with the Front Desk.
Toddlers are on the playground during drop-off, so please encourage your child to use the bathroom before leaving for school. We will always walk inside with them if they need to use the restroom.
We understand the first couple weeks of drop-off can be emotional, but delaying leaving can cause your child some measure of confusion and, ultimately, make parting harder. We ask that you keep your goodbye short and sweet, and we assure you your child will be properly loved and cared for. Should you wish to check in on your child, please feel free to call or email the front desk at any time.
Pick-up:
Pick-up for Academic Day students is between 3:30 – 4:00 PM.
Please text your child’s classroom and full name when you arrive, especially if you’re in a hurry. Example: Butterflies, Jane Smith. Emojis make all texts better!
If you arrive outside of this timeframe, please head inside to the Front Desk to check out and pick up your child(ren).
Toddler pick-up can be especially lengthy. We have all the children clean up their work and tuck in their chairs before leaving. We also encourage the Toddlers to walk themselves out while carrying their own backpack. Please allow adequate time at pickup for your child not to be rushed.
Continuously late pickups will be assessed a $5 per-minute fee. Please see the tuition and fee breakdown in your Parent Handbook. We ask for timely pick-ups by 5:45 to allow closing team members to leave on-time for their personal lives.
Please follow School in the Hills on Instagram and Facebook for timely notices, reminders, and fun updates for each campus throughout the year.
Thank you for choosing us as your family’s happy second home!