OUR STORY
A Legacy of Growth, Family, and Community
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A Message From Our School President/Owner, Matt Dahl
Dear Families,
Thank you for your interest in learning more about Hickory Hill Academy! It’s truly a joy to share what makes our school such a special place for children and families.
HHA is more than just a school—it’s a dream that started with my mom in 1996. Growing up, this campus was my home, and it holds a special place in my heart. My hope is that every family who steps onto our campus feels loved, appreciated, and welcomed as part of our extended HHA family.
For our students, we strive to create an environment where they feel safe and cared for. When those two things are in place, the sky is truly the limit for learning and growth.
Our school’s mission is to cultivate compassionate leaders through a focus on campus, community, and curriculum. This focus shapes everything we do, from the exceptional instruction in our classrooms to the strong character development and meaningful connections we foster in our students.
While our website is filled with helpful information about our mission, programs, and values, nothing compares to experiencing HHA in person. I encourage you to read about our school’s story, explore more through our website, and reach out to us with any questions.
Most importantly, I hope you’ll come visit the campus. There’s no real way to fully experience and feel the magic of HHA until you see it and feel it for yourself.
Thank you again for taking the time to learn about Hickory Hill Academy.We look forward to welcoming you to our campus and partnering with you to create an exceptional experience for your child.
With Gratitude,
Matt Dahl
Building a Legacy, Together
cultivating compassionate leaders
Hickory Hill Academy is a school rooted in a passion for quality education and driven by a vision to shape compassionate leaders. On December 10, 2020, Kids Express Learning Center officially became Hickory Hill Academy. This new name reflects over 25 years of exceptional early childhood education, the ongoing expansion into a K-8th grade independent school, and a commitment to the exciting future ahead.
1996: A Family Dream Begins
In 1996, Dr. Sandra Dahl and her husband, Dr. Will Dahl, opened the doors of Kids Express Learning Center with just nine children. Their dream was simple yet profound: to provide a nurturing environment where children could flourish academically and creatively, learning to express themselves and share their gifts with the world.
1998 - 2008, A Growing Family, A Growing Campus
By 1998, demand for this innovative educational experience had grown, leading to the addition of two classrooms. An old barn was transformed in 2001 to create unique learning spaces called The Hayloft and Big Red Barn.
In 2005, as enrollment soared and families eagerly awaited a spot, Sandra and Will expanded by purchasing a neighboring property to add four more classrooms - their personal home only growing into something more! Growth continued in 2008 with additional classrooms, two gyms, and an administrative office, as The Dahlhouse campus evolved to meet the needs of more students.
Rooted in Family,
Driven By Vision
Hickory Hill Academy isn’t just a school; it's a family legacy built with love and dedication. Sandra and Will infused their lives into creating a school that felt like home, raising their own four children on campus.
Their dream was for the school to continue thriving through future generations, and two of their children, Matthew and Heather, embraced this vision.
In 2019, the Dahl children—Matthew and Heather—took on the leadership of the school, continuing the legacy of their parents. Matthew, HHA President and Owner, eager to meet the needs of families who wanted to continue their children’s education at HHA, envisioned a K-8 program. This move would allow the school to offer a continuous, high-quality education that grew with the students.
With Heather's background in education and a passion for nurturing teachers and students alike, the transition to a K-8 school marked an exciting new chapter for the program, rooted in the family values and mission that Sandra and Will had instilled.
A Name that Reflects the Growth
On December 10, 2020, Kids Express Learning Center officially became Hickory Hill Academy. The name change symbolized the school’s growth from a beloved early childhood program into a comprehensive K-8 independent school. Rapid growth over the years had led to a pre-planned vision for a dedicated K-8 space, as families expressed a strong desire for their children to continue with HHA into elementary and middle school. With this expansion, the school’s commitment to cultivating compassionate leaders for the community only deepened, creating a place where students could learn, grow, and thrive in a nurturing environment.
A New Home for Our Growing Community
On September 19, 2023, HHA celebrated the grand opening of its new 50,000-square-foot K-8 building. This milestone moment was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a true celebration of how far the school had come since its humble beginnings in Sandra and Will’s home. The new space includes dedicated classrooms for art, science, music, a full gymnasium, and even an indoor garden, all designed to nurture the academic and personal growth of every student. This building is a symbol of the school’s commitment to providing a dynamic, well-rounded educational experience for students, while keeping the same spirit of family and community that started it all.
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More than a talented faculty, we are a team inspired to impact lives.
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More than robust academics, we cultivate the full potential of the whole child.
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More than nurturing each individual child, we strive to support the entire community.
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More than creating good feelings, we promote flourishing lives.