Elementary

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY?

  • Hillside Christian Academy integrates a thorough knowledge of God’s love through his Son, Jesus Christ, with a challenging academic environment.
  • Hillside Christian Academy pursues the mastery of academic disciplines within a traditional classroom setting.
  • Hillside Christian Academy provides a Christ-centered curriculum that encourages critical thinking and effective skills application.
  • Hillside Christian Academy is an extension of the home and the church, and we seek to partner with parents in providing a quality Christian education.

How long has Hillside Christian Academy been serving families?

Hillside Preschool began serving families on the San Francisco Peninsula since 1959. Although the majority of our students reside within San Mateo County, our students come from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. The name has been recently changed to Hillside Christian Academy. In 2003 we began the first Kindergarten class, and we currently offer preschool through 7th grade. We are one of the few Christian schools in San Mateo County, and we are a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Is Hillside Christian Academy planning to add more classes in the future?

This is one of our most frequently asked questions! Hillside Christian Academy is planning to add a new class each year until we have a complete elementary school. Plans to include a Junior High School are in discussion.

What is the ratio of students to teachers in the Preschool?

Although the State of California allows for a ratio of 12 students per teacher in the Preschool, we limit our ratio at 8:1 on the little side (2 ½ – 4 years old) and, if the class is mature enough, 10:1 on the big side (4 – 5 year olds). In the case of a class that is very kindergarten-ready, we might go to the maximum of 12:1, but that is only if the students are ready. We believe that children learn more effectively when the class sizes are smaller and the teacher is able to give more individualized instruction.

In the Elementary School there is no state requirements regarding student to teacher ratios. Because of the size of our classrooms, however, we are limited to no more than 15 students in our Kindergarten, and no more than 12 students in our other elementary school classes.

What qualifications are required for your teaching staff?

There are several qualifications that our teachers need to complete. First of all, every teacher in the Preschool must have completed the 12 CORE units required for Preschools by the Department of Social Services. We give our teachers financial incentives to continue their studies in Early Childhood Education. Therefore, our teachers are constantly taking more classes to become better equipped to teach in our ever-changing community. All of our teachers have over and above the state requirement needed for teaching.

One of the greatest assets to our preschool is our teaching staff. Out of our eight preschool teachers currently on staff, seven have over fifteen years teaching experience. In fact, six of our teachers have been teaching at Hillside for over twenty years! Consequently, our turnover rate is very low, showing that our teachers are dedicated and our students do not experience the stress if having to frequently adjust to new faces and teaching styles.

Although teachers in a private, Christian elementary school are not required to have a valid California teaching credential, three out of our five teachers have earned one. Our teaching staff have over forty years combined teaching experience, and our principal has 27 years of classroom experience. We look very intently into every teacher’s experience, and most importantly, we prayerfully consider every teacher’s calling by God into the ministry of teaching.

What does “Christian Academy” mean? What kind of religion is taught?

Hillside Christian Academy is owned and operated by Hillside Church of God, a non-denominational, Bible-teaching Christian church that was established in South San Francisco in 1958. Hillside Preschool began serving families on the San Francisco Peninsula in 1959.

The Christian concept of honoring children is central to the Hillside Christian Academy experience. This is why hundreds of children throughout the San Mateo County Peninsula and the Bay Area have enjoyed coming to Hillside over the past five decades! Not only do we surround each child in the love that Christianity affords, but we also give them ready access to age appropriate teaching of Christian principles. Thus, the Bible stories are exciting adventures that appeal to their boundless imaginations.

For the preschool, weekly chapel consists of singing songs about God’s love, learning Bible stories, respecting “God’s house” (the church), and prayer. In the elementary grades, chapel is basically the same, but at a more in-depth level. Where students are encouraged to pursue character traits that are consistent with the teachings of Christ (honesty, integrity, truthfulness, hard work, etc.). Bible is an essential part of our daily curriculum.

While we do not push any “religion” or church, we do teach the Biblical principles of God’s presence, His love, and His forgiveness. We want our students to know that there is a God, and He loves all children!

To see our Yearly School Schedule, Please click here. (Please make sure you have Adobe Reader to view)