Hickory Hill Academy uses a variety of tools and strategies to gather benchmark assessment information and to monitor ongoing progress.  Data gathered may include information provided by a child's family, teachers, and members of HHA’s SST.  Culturally relevant assessment tools are selected and administered in the English language unless families provide translation services/supports.

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Prior to admission, families who inquire about enrollment at HHA with a child with identified unique learning needs, the following procedures take place:

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Pre-Admission Screening

HHA conducts pre-admission screening procedures of all students.  Screening procedures may vary based on information provided in the family questionnaire.  The purpose of these procedures is to build understanding of the child’s knowledge and skills, and determine the optimal learning environment.  Pre-admission screenings focus on the following areas, as appropriate to the child’s age and competencies:  Social-emotional development, communication, gross and fine motor skills, oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, reading fluency and comprehension skills, mathematics calculation, and problem solving skills.  

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The following describes the pre-admission screening procedures for each division of HHA.

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Early Childhood Education Program

In our Early Childhood Education program, the inquiring family fills out an age-appropriate ASQ-3 and an ASQ-SE form.  The family then submits both of the forms to the Admissions Team.  Next, HHA’s SST reviews and scores the forms.  During this time, the family should submit to the Admissions Team supporting information, such as evaluation or assessment reports related to the child’s educational or social-emotional development/needs.  

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Next, the child will be invited to participate in a Classroom Visit.  During the visit, the family should remain on the HHA campus.  Depending on the child’s comfortability in the HHA environment, the family may be invited into the classroom.  At times, HHA faculty may request that the family remain near an external door of the classroom.  During the visit, the classroom teacher will observe the child as they participate in age-appropriate activities and transitions in multiple environments.

 

Following the visit, the classroom teacher will provide written feedback. Following this process, HHA’s SST determines the next steps for the family’s enrollment and communicates the next steps to the Admissions Team.  The Admissions Team then communicates the next steps with the inquiring family.

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Lower School and Middle School

In HHA’s Lower School and Middle School, inquiring families with a child with identified unique learning needs should make an appointment with the Admission Director for an Academic Screening session and Classroom Visit. During the appointment, the child with unique learning needs will complete a computerized, grade-level-appropriate assessment in literacy and math.  Upon completion, HHA’s SST will review and score the assessments.  In addition, the inquiring family should provide supporting information to the Admissions Director, such as evaluation or assessment reports related to the child’s educational or social-emotional development.  With family consent, HHA will contact the child’s prior school for transmission of records.

If requested by HHA’s SST, children may be invited to participate in a Classroom Visit.  During the visit, the child’s family should remain on campus.  Depending on the child’s comfortability in the HHA environment, the family may be invited into the classroom or HHA faculty may request that the family remain near an external door of the classroom.  During the visit, the classroom teacher will observe the child as they participate in age-appropriate activities, including transitions among multiple environments.  Following the visit, the classroom teacher will provide written feedback.  Following this process, HHA’s SST determines the next steps for the family’s enrollment and communicates the next steps to the Admissions Director.  The Admissions Director then communicates the next steps to the inquiring family.