FAQs

It’s a two-week residential program at The Hill School for rising 7th and 8th graders. Scholars live in Hill’s dorms, learn from Hill’s faculty, follow a real academic schedule, and get a taste of the traditions that have defined this school for generations. It’s the closest thing to actually attending Hill, without the full commitment.

Rising 7th & 8th graders in Summer 2027

No. Hill School Summer Scholars is an experience built for families to understanding if a boarding school experience is right for them. It’s also a great opportunity for rising 7th and 8th graders to experience a different summer program that provides a residential experience that differs from traditional sleepaway or academic camps.

In the Hill School dorms on campus.

A campus visit shows you the school. This lets your child live it. Two weeks in a dorm, in a classroom, with Hill faculty, is a completely different experience from a tour. Scholars leave with a real answer about whether boarding school is right for them, before committing to four years and a significant financial investment. It’s not a traditional summer enrichment program or camp. The program is a decision-making tool.

Every day includes a core Hill School Academic Course session in the mornings, with a student-chosen Elective Course session in the afternoon. Course sessions are designed for multi-modal learning and divided into two portions – beginning with a lecture-based lesson followed by hands-on learning that provides Scholars with a tangible project to build their academic portfolio and solidify their understanding of key concepts.  Late afternoons wrap up with a specialized Boarding School Prep session that leaves Scholars ready to confidently embark upon the admissions and enrollment process moving forward. 

Beyond the classroom, they’re living boarding school life: dorm living, quintessential Hill School traditions, evening residential activities and weekend trips. 

Core Hill School Academic Course offerings will include classic humanities and applied sciences options. Elective Course offerings are innovative offerings that will range from STEAM to business, to SSAT Prep, and more. Course offering details will become available later this fall. 

Scholars leave with a polished application essay ready-to-use, real interview experience, SSAT familiarity, and meaningful additions to their academic portfolio. Families leave fully confident in their child’s next chapter, knowing if boarding school and Hill School is the right fit for their family. Full curriculum details will be available later this fall.

The residential experience is a core part of the program. After the academic day, students have supervised free time, evening activities, and residential programming with their peers and faculty including a weekend trip. They’re living the full boarding school day, not just the classroom portion of it. Confirmed activities will be available later this fall.

Most other boarding school programs focus on rigorous academic enrichment offerings with little emphasis on an immersive boarding school experience outside the classroom. The Hill School Summer Scholars is built as a decision-making tool for families deciding if boarding school is the right path for their Scholar. The boarding prep section built into this program is unique along with the intentional program design to incorporate meaningful Hill School traditions that foster community and belonging while creating tangible and meaningful portfolios to support confidently taking the next step in your family’s academic journey.

This is not an admission program. Participating in Hill School Summer Scholars does not guarantee or improve a student’s chances of admission to The Hill School. It’s designed for families weighing whether boarding school is the right path, at Hill or anywhere else.

That’s one of the best outcomes of the program. Finding out before the boarding school application process is better than on an August move-in day. A student who finishes Hill School Summer Scholars and decides boarding school isn’t the right fit has saved their family and themselves a significant amount of time, money, and disruption. We consider that a success.

If your student has a phone, they will have access to it during designated times and can contact family and friends. Visits from family or friends during the session are not part of the program, as the residential program is designed to build independence in a supported environment away from home. 

Occasionally, students may want to visit friends or family. Travel off campus during the week is discouraged, as the program is designed to be an immersive experience with students focused on their coursework and residential programming. On occasion, weekend travel is approved at the discretion of the Residential Director.  

All requests to travel off campus and temporarily leave the program must be submitted in advance using the provided form in your Welcome and Arrival Guide and program emails. If approved, students must be checked out of the program by the adult listed in the request form. For a student to leave the program, the approved visitor(s) must come to the assigned pick-up point with a valid photo ID and sign the student out with an ESF team member.  

To return to campus, students must return no later than the assigned curfew and be signed in with the visitor(s) who signed the student out. Students cannot leave the program during class times, and if a student is signed out overnight, they must return to campus before their classes start.  

Please note that visitors (including family members) cannot enter residence halls. Visitors must meet the students at designated areas. If a student leaves the program, approved boundaries, or enters a car without being signed out at any point, it may result in being dismissed from the program. 

The residential staff is experienced in supporting students who are away from home for the first time, and they are trained to recognize when a student needs extra support. If a student is genuinely struggling, the program team will be in contact with the family directly. Each situation is handled individually.

The Hill School Summer Scholars program is a collaborative partnership between The Hill School and ESF Camps & Experiences. The Hill School supports program design, develops course curriculum, shares program faculty, provides oversight on Hill School traditions and operates the campus and facilities. ESF acts as the operational engine bringing 45 years of expertise running youth residential programming and enrichment.

All students must provide proof of health insurance prior to arriving on campus. Students living outside of the USA should purchase health/travel insurance through an independent company by contacting them directly. ESF has partnered with TravMark to offer tuition, travel and health insurance. International students can learn more about this offering on the TravMark International Site. 

Yes! The program is open to all rising 7^th and 8^th graders, whether domestic or international. International Participants will need a B2 Tourist Visa, ESF will provide participants with a letter of support. While this program does not require TOEFL or related scores, students are expected to be proficient in English. 

Your student is cared for by a dedicated team of trained residential staff who create a safe, supportive, and engaging residential experience. Our Residential Counselors (RCs) live alongside students in the residence halls and are available throughout the day and evening to provide guidance, supervision, and support.

Residential staff are carefully selected for their maturity, leadership, communication skills, and ability to work with middle school students. Before students arrive, staff complete extensive training focused on student supervision, community building, health and safety, crisis response, emergency procedures, and creating a positive residential environment.

Throughout the program, Residential Directors provide on-site leadership and oversee the residential operation, including staff supervision, student well-being, schedules, activities, and communication. Together, the residential team creates a supportive environment where students can develop independence while knowing there are caring adults available when they need them.

Tuition for the Hill School Summers Scholar Program is all-inclusive. The program fee covers:

• Residential housing
• Two to three meals per day
• Academic instruction and course materials
• Scheduled trips, activities, and excursions
• Shuttle transportation to and from the airport on designated arrival and departure days

Yes. Scholars will rank select the courses offered for the session on their program application. Enrollment invitations will reflect the schedule for admission into the program based on scholar ranking and availability. Course offering details will become available later this fall.