Private Elementary School | Hickory Hill Academy

ACADEMICS

LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOL

Academics

We believe in cultivating compassionate leaders through a well-rounded and engaging academic program. Our focus on the 3 C’s—community, campus, and curriculum — blends our academics with character development and real-world application, making HHA a unique and unparalleled educational experience.

We are deeply committed to nurturing every student’s growth—academically, socially, and emotionally. At HHA, learning goes beyond the classroom, sparking curiosity, building character, and fostering confidence at every stage.

From Kindergarten to Middle School, our programs are thoughtfully designed to inspire a lifelong love for learning and empower students to thrive in every aspect of their lives.

What Sets HHA Apart

Personalized Attention

Our small class sizes ensure that every student receives individualized instruction, fostering both academic and emotional growth. Teachers act as mentors, tailoring lessons to meet each student’s unique needs and abilities.

Innovative Programs

HHA incorporates cutting-edge technology, STEM initiatives, and interdisciplinary learning into every classroom. From coding workshops to art-integrated science lessons, our curriculum prepares students for the challenges of the modern world.

Character Education

Through our Community Circles and L-E-A-D-E-R-S traits—Listeners, Empathetic, Accepting, Disciplined, Ethical, Respectful, and Selfless—students learn to lead with compassion and integrity.

Exceptional Campus Resources

A fully-equipped science lab designed for hands-on experimentation.
Dedicated spaces for arts, music - with a focus on strings, and more, fostering creativity and self-expression.
Outdoor learning spaces and gardens to support environmental education and sustainability.

Global Citizenship

HHA students participate in service-learning projects, cultural appreciation weeks, and international studies programs, instilling a deep respect for diversity and global interconnectedness.

Enrichments

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Miss Jessica

STRINGS

Our Strings program offers a vertically aligned musical experience emphasizing Strings education. Guided by NAfME standards, students create, respond, and perform to develop a lasting understanding of music. They learn music language through solfege, rote learning, and standard notation, while exploring music history, eras, composers, instruments, and styles worldwide. Violin instruction begins in Kindergarten, with options to add viola, cello, or bass in 4th grade, tailored to developmental levels.

Through voice and instruments, students build teamwork, leadership, and cognitive skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving. Singing and playing in ensembles fosters collaboration, kind feedback, and valuing peers’ success. Challenges become exciting puzzles to solve together. Musical growth is celebrated through classroom performances and concerts, nurturing each child's musicality as they grow.

Miss Jenny

ART

Our Art Program combines hands-on learning with projects and self-discovery. Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade build a strong foundation in art concepts such as balance, space, proportion, form, texture, color, lines, and patterns. They explore projects like painting, drawing, and working with clay in our fire kiln, while also learning about influential artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama, Jen Stark, Van Gogh, Hokusai, Leonardo da Vinci, and more. This dynamic program nurtures creativity, artistic confidence, and a deep appreciation for the arts and their history.

Miss Katie

STEM

Our STEM program offers an immersive, hands-on learning experience aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students explore life, earth, and physical sciences while engaging in real-world phenomena and scientific inquiry. With advanced tools like 3D printing, coding, and robotics, the program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. As students progress, they gain skills that prepare them for success in high school, future studies, and beyond.

Miss Johanna

SPANISH

Our Spanish program develops students' ability to communicate meaningfully in Spanish, following the ACTFL's 5 Cs: communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. Through reading, writing, listening, and speaking, students engage with daily life scenarios that emphasize practical communication. The program incorporates songs, poems, technology, and cultural activities, creating an age-appropriate, hands-on experience while exploring global themes that build year over year.

Mr. Zhigang Xu

MANDARIN

Our Mandarin program equips students with foundational language skills in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication, aligned with ACTFL's 5 Cs: communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. Students explore daily life scenarios, Chinese culture, and language connections through hands-on activities like songs, poems, and presentations. The program introduces Chinese characters and the Pinyin system, fostering pronunciation and cultural understanding.

Mr. Clay

P.E.

Our Physical Education program at Hickory Hill Academy offers individual and team-focused activities to help students develop physical, social, and emotional skills in an active, educational setting. The age-appropriate curriculum emphasizes cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and strength, with progress evaluated through fall and spring Fitness Testing.

Students engage in a variety of activities, including Playground Games, Team-Building, Floor Hockey, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Pickleball, Dance, Basketball, and more. Each lesson reinforces preparation, effort, and sportsmanship. HHA’s program encourages lifelong physical activity and fosters a positive, healthy lifestyle.