The Hill School (PA)
Overview

The Hill School is a coeducational independent boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 and post-graduates. Founded in 1851 Hill is a small and close learning community—a place where our reputation for academic excellence is based upon a challenging and expansive curriculum rooted in a strong liberal arts legacy; a faculty of highly qualified dedicated teachers and advisers; and a structured atmosphere that blends high expectations with meaningful support. At Hill faculty and students from around the country and the world live and learn together -- they treat each other as family and form lifelong friendships. Daily family-style meals family nights in dormitories and weekly Chapel meetings are just a few examples of what define and distinguish The Hill’s community. As a school we value principles of honesty genuineness empathy respectfulness and kindness; character is not so much taught as lived as represented in the School’s motto “Whatsoever things are true.”
Academics
Summary: Rooted in a legacy of liberal arts, our curriculum challenges students with authentic and transformative learning experiences to ensure they are prepared for the next step in their academic journey. In a nurturing yet rigorous environment, our teachers will push you outside of your comfort zone both to explore existing interests more deeply and to discover new passions. At The Hill, education continues outside of the classroom through place-based and experiential learning where students are asked to contemplate and address real-world problems.
Department Director Katy Hudak
Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 61
Number of AP Courses Offered: 28
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 69%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Peer Tutoring
- Technology Center
- Writing Center
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
History
- Classical History
- European History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
Religion / Philosophy
- Mythology
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Theology
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Physics
- Physiology
Math
Computer Studies
- Multimedia
Music
- Choral Music
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory
- Orchestra
- Recording
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Independent Study
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 13
Average Students Per Dorm: 2
Number of Girls Dorms: 6
Number of Boys Dorms: 7
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Vending Machines
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
At The Hill, a dormitory is more than a place where students sleep at the end of a busy day. Students learn by living with peers from across the United States and around the world. Whether through the weekly dorm meetings, lively "Family Nights” on Tuesday evenings, or daily interaction with peers and adults, boarding students make lifelong friends and learn important life skills in the process. Best of all, some of the most memorable, positive, and fun experiences happen within the dormitories! As the family boarding school, The Hill provides a true second home for our students who reside on campus. Most Hill faculty members and their families reside in the dorms as dorm parents, and those who live in other faculty residences serve as affiliates to a dormitory. These faculty members support students as they learn to be independent young adults. Through caring guidance, boarding students learn the importance of respecting themselves and others, while at the same time learning to manage their time and study effectively during evening study hall.
Facilities
- All-Weather Track
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Football Field
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Indoor Pool
- Pool
- Technology Center
Other Facilities
- Squash Courts
- Indoor Hockey Rink
- Student Center
- Turf Fields
Clubs & Organizations
- Amnesty International
- Asian Club
- Chess Club
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Debate Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Fencing Club
- Food Council
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Habitat for Humanity
- Honor Council
- International Club
- Investment Club
- Jewish Student Organization
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Mock Trial
- Model UN
- National Honor Society
- Newspaper
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Snowboarding Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Weightlifting Club
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
- Young Democrats
- Young Republicans
Arts & Athletics
Summary: AWE-INSPIRING ARTS: The Hill offers in-depth study in visual and performing arts which allows students to showcase their talents during art exhibitions, musical festivals, vocal concerts, Broadway-like productions, and dance recitals. ACTION-PACKED ATHLETICS: With 31 varsity sports programs, athletics plays a vital role in every Hill student’s development. We are committed to providing an experience that develops character, emphasizes teamwork, and encourages healthy, lifelong habits.
Arts Department Director: Andy Skitko
Athletics Department Director: Seth Eilberg
Notable Achievements: Multiple teams won PAISAA and MAPL championships
Arts
Interscholastic Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country Running
- Diving
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Water Polo
- Wrestling
Recreational Sports
- Dance
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball
- Weight Lifting
- Yoga
Graduates
Summary: The Hill's college counselors are committed to helping each student find the college or university best suited to the student’s aspirations, needs, and abilities. The college search and application process is a vital piece of the educational experience offered to each Hill student. Not only does this process serve as the culmination to all of the academic preparation embraced during one's time at Hill, but, perhaps more importantly, the process also serves as a journey, a journey into an independent adulthood and further academic career for which one's Hill experience provides the bedrock foundation. The College Counseling Office staff are eager and ready to help all students navigate that journey in a way best suited to their individual abilities and talents.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 560 | 570 | 550 |
75th percentile | 670 | 710 | 690 |
Notable Alumni
Tom Wolf
Class of 1967
Governor of Pennsylvania
James Baker III
Class of 1948
Former Secretary of State
Clark Hoyt
Class of 1960
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist public editor of the New York Times and former Washington editor of Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services
Norman Pearlstein
Class of 1960
Former top editor of Time Inc. and The Wall Street Journal current chief content officer of Bloomberg L.P"
Tobias Wolff
Class of 1964
Stanford University professor and critically acclaimed author of Old School" and "This Boy’s Life""
Lamar Hunt
Class of 1951
Businessman owner and founder of the Kansas City Chiefs and a creator of the American Football League
John Backus
Class of 1942
An influential computer scientist and lead developer of the first high-level programming language (FORTRAN)
Edmund Wilson
Class of 1912
Accomplished editor book reviewer and author.
Juan Trippe
Class of 1917
Founder of Pan American Airlines
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 404
Total Day: 125
Total Enrollment: 529
Boys: 284
Girls: 245
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School
Dress Code: Formal
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: January 31st
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $61,410
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $42,370
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 38%
Average Awarded: $42,450
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $168,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Tom Eccleston
Admissions Phone: 610 326 1000
Fax: 610 705 1753
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thehill.org
Nearby Schools
- Perkiomen School - 13mi / 20 km
- Church Farm School - 15mi / 24 km
- Westtown School - 21mi / 34 km
- Solebury School - 35mi / 57 km
- George School - 37mi / 60 km
- The Pennington School - 45mi / 72 km






