Rocky Hill School

My son is in the third grade and started here this year. This is an excellent school. The teachers are wonderful and are available any time to address any concerns. For the first time, my son is not bored in school and is being appropriately challenged. This school has a great headmaster. The teachers, staff, parents and children are a close community who enjoy being part of Rocky Hill. Academics are great as well as extra curricular classes. I would highly recommend this school
—Submitted by a parent

Rocky Hill has proven itself to be an excellent choice for my high school child. The advisor system ensures that each upper school student has a teacher/mentor that gets to know him or her, and they stick together for the full upper school career. The Harkness Tables ensure that every student has a front-row seat in the classroom, and the integration of technology (every student has a personal laptop) is important in preparing students for college and career. Each student joins at least one academic club and one "fun" club to create a well-rounded experience. The campus is safe and idyllic, with a dock for boating and water-based science study. The new food service is astounding, and is a good match for the values of the school. The sports teams do well, and accept all interested students. Seniors participate in month-long end-of-year internship projects off campus to expand their horizons. The upper school labs, facilities, and classrooms are beautiful, well-kept, and appropriate. Learning truly does cut across the curriculum in appropriate ways. The head of school, division heads, and teachers work to involve and value Rocky Hill families.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter attended Rocky Hill for the Upper School after elementary and middle school at another private school. The experience greatly exceeded our expectations and she blossomed during her years there. In addition to a beautiful and state-of-the-art facility, the community of students, parents, teachers, and administrators is welcoming and caring. The academics are challenging and the laptop program puts the everyday use of technology ahead of all other secondary schools and most colleges. Being a small school, she had many more opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities than she would have at a larger school. Students learn to be self-directed and responsible in both academic and social situations. There is a dress code and students are expected to dress and behave appropriately. She and her friends are respectful and mature and well prepared for college. The college counseling and preparation are beyond compare: it begins in the sophmore year and extends through application and acceptance. Most students are accepted to their college of choice with ease.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two students at rocky hill, one in middle school and the other in elementary. I believe that rocky hill is a top quality school. My children are confident, respectful and self reliant. The elementary could be a bit more challenging, but the important thing is that they provide a great foundation for a child's self-esteem. The technology is top notch and they use harkness tables in the classrooms. These tables are large oval tables where the teachers and students sit together facing each other. No child is scene and not heard from in this setting. Independence, accountability and self-motivation are the goal. The work that is given in middle school is challenging and expectations for this work is high. They do not overwhelm this age group with unnecessary busy work, which in my mind is important especially because at this age they are developing, changing and growing.
—Submitted by a parent

The curriculum appears excellent with the new computer technology. The lower school has some qualified teachers and some inexperienced teachers in that children are humiliated rather than encouraged. The preschool is not impressive in any respect, except that your children are safe. Although a smaller class size would be desirable to some, it was too small for us and not academically challenging enough. The teachers do not take on any role to assist children in progressing, the children are expected to perform on cue with little or no guidance. I have seen little insight and accurate perception applied to each individual child. I could not justifiably recommend this school for the long term.
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely fabulous, individualized learning for all grades and types of students. Have had a daughter and son graduate and attend the colleges of their choice, and a current 10th grade son who is extremely happy. Rocky Hill is a wonderful alternative and gem of a school. We couldn't be more pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

Extraordinary environment & teaching excellence that fosters creative, independent, leadership-quality individuals; recommended for all levels of intelligence who seek to grow & succeed to develop their true potentials.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had two students graduate from Rocky Hill School. Our two children are different from night and day. One with a learning disability and one who loved school and worked hard. The school gave as much attention to both children and did as much as they could to help with their success. The school is rather small which is good academically. Socally, the kids get through learning to deal with each other because the number in each class is so small. We have enjoyed being involved with all the school offers. The student comes first and how they mature in the years at the school is understood and worked into all that they do. We feel we made a good decision in sending our children to this school.
—Submitted by a parent