I. Purpose
The governance and administration of an independent school are based upon a shared mission, vision, and values. An effective Strategic Plan with reify those abstract principles through concrete goals to be pursued over a five year period.
II. Context for the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan
This plan was developed by the Board of Trustees and the Administration over a two and a half year period culminating in its final approval in June of 2021. By ratifying it we reaffirm our Core Qualities.
III. Core Qualities of Hill School
Hill’s Core Qualities are powerfully articulated in the School’s Mission, Philosophy, and its Core Attributes. These central documents have been affirmed by the Board of Trustees as a key part of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, and they are regularly reviewed by faculty and staff in meetings and published each year in the School’s Handbook, the Annual Report, and a variety of Admissions materials, ensuring that they are familiar to present school families and families who are interested in the School.
Main Building
This building houses the reception area, administrative offices, the Alumni Conference Room, the Library, 7th and 8th grade homerooms, a computer lab, and classrooms.
Lower School Building
This building provides homerooms and adjacent breakout rooms to junior kindergarten through third grade students. The building also houses the lower school science room, a kitchen, a computer lab, tutoring rooms, and a faculty work room.
Science and Classroom Building
Made possible by a gift from the James J. Wilson family, this building houses the Upper School science classroom, homerooms for grades four, five, and six, and three small-group classrooms.
Art Building
This open and light-filled building provides students an inspiring and inviting setting to study art and to draw, paint, sculpt, and create original works of art.
Athletic Center
The Athletic Center is an exceptional facility for students to learn and grow as athletes and to learn the value of teamwork. Activities include lower school sports classes, basketball, gymnastics, and the climbing wall. On raining days, the Athletic Center provides a location for soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse. It is also the venue for the Holiday Program, the annual Auction, Graduation, and community events.
Peard Building
This building honors the memory of the Reverend Richard T.C. Peard, a beloved Hill School Trustee and friend. It provides rooms for music, both choral and stringed instruments, as well as a lunchroom and kitchen.
The Compass Rose in the reception area, which reads, “When you find your place in this world, remember to help others find theirs” articulates an ethos embraced by the entire school community.
Sheila C. Johnson Performing Arts Center
The generosity and vision of Sheila C. Johnson made the expansion and renovation of the Performing Arts Center possible. It includes a reception area, a dance studio, and beautifully designed and well-equipped theatre. In addition to funding the construction of this project, Sheila Johnson established an endowment to support the facility and program—thereby ensuring that the performing arts would thrive at Hill for generations to come.
Arundel Family Library
Made possible by the generosity of the Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel family, this library is a warm and inspiring setting for children to develop a love of reading and learning. It includes a collection of over 16,000 volumes, computers and on-line resources, two study rooms, and areas for reading and quiet work.
Leachman Building
Built in 1977 in honor of William H. Leachman Jr. by his family and friends, this building served as the music classroom for many years, and is currently the Latin classroom. It was rededicated in 2010 in memory of Hill parent and alumnus William H Leachman III ’74, as well as his father.
Hugh’s Playground
The lower school playground provides children an area to swing, slide, play in the sand, and kick the soccer ball – a place to simply enjoy being a child. The playground was redesigned and rebuilt, through the generosity and vision of The Wiley Family and their many friends, in the summer of 2012 in memory of Hugh Wiley, class of 2018.
Amphitheater
Overlooking the Bull Run Mountains, the amphitheater includes a stage and seating area for three hundred. It provides a scenic and inspiring venue for school assemblies, concerts, plays, and community events.
The Grounds
The School is fortunate to have four playing fields, a baseball diamond, walking and running trails, a pond, wetlands, and an arboretum on its 137 acre campus. The use of the grounds is integral to the school’s academic and co-curricular programs as well as a source of pleasure and recreation for the children and adults of our community throughout the year. Polly Rowley, parent and grandparent of Hill School students, provided the vision and leadership for the creation and development of the arboretum.
Dornin Science Center
Named in honor of Robert T. Dornin, a beloved Hill School science teacher (1960-85), this facility on the southern edge of the campus serves as both a science classroom and a venue for community events such as class picnics and dinners, and the annual All-School Country Fair.
The Gunnell Family Community Garden is also located on the grounds of the Dornin Center.
Faculty Housing
The school owns fifteen houses, nine of which were donated by friends of the school. The Board of Trustees and school leadership are committed to helping our faculty and staff have access to affordable housing in the community. This program has been central to the school’s success in attracting and retaining its faculty and staff.