School Information

Overview
Pine Hill School’s core values of respect and concern for others, personal responsibility, and excellence in learning are promoted throughout the school community. Noteworthy features of the school include a warm and friendly atmosphere, strong parent/guardian involvement, a high degree of fiscal community support, a talented and dedicated faculty, and a commitment to favorable class sizes.

Enrollment
Pine Hill School has 20 classes with approximately 383 students in kindergarten through grade five. The average class size at Pine Hill School is 19 students. All students are transported to school on buses.

Educational Program
The curriculum of the Pine Hill School is designed to promote problem solving, thinking strategies, and the development of creative abilities while emphasizing the mastery of basic skills. Integration of the subject areas is stressed in order to help students make meaningful associations in their learning. Grade level teachers meet weekly to discuss curriculum and student issues. The curriculum is designed to maximize opportunities for a wide range of abilities. An integrated classroom experience allows all children to explore and expand upon various aspects of the curriculum based on interest, motivation, and aptitude.

Special Programs
The classroom curriculum is supported by a strong specialist program, which includes music, art, library, health, and physical education. Teaching and learning are also enhanced by a computer specialist who works with students and teachers in the classroom as well as in the computer lab. Instrumental lessons are an after-school option for students beginning in grade four. A band program during the school day is available for fifth graders.

A well-developed program for students with special needs includes tutorial services, language remediation, related services and an integrated preschool classroom. Services focus on maintaining students within the classroom setting whenever feasible. A school counselor is available to work in all Pine Hill classrooms and with individual or small groups of students as well as parents/guardians.

Professional Development
The Pine Hill School is dedicated to on-going professional development in order to continuously enhance and strengthen the skills and abilities of the faculty. Students are dismissed at noon two Wednesdays a month to provide time for workshops, curriculum development, and parent/guardian conferences. Regular reports about professional development activities are contained in the monthly Pine Hill School newsletter.

Community School Association
The Community School Association (CSA), which is comprised of parents/guardians, community members, and school personnel, seeks to provide constructive support for the school and maintain open lines of communication. Throughout the year, the CSA engages in several fund raising efforts to benefit the school. Each year the CSA Enrichment Committee previews and obtains a host of special performers, presentations, and resident artist programs to expand and enrich the school curriculum. The educational program at the Pine Hill School is supplemented by an extensive volunteer program organized by the CSA. Volunteers work on special projects, in the classrooms, dining room, and library. For more information, go to the Pine Hill website at www.doversherborn.org.

Student Council
The Student Council offers students their first experience with a representative form of government. Two students from each class in grades three through five are elected to represent their classmates. Elections are held twice a year to maximize opportunities for students to participate. During weekly meetings with the principal and the student council advisor, students share their thoughts and concerns regarding the enhancement of the school climate and work on service projects to benefit the school and the community.

Dover Sherborn Education Fund
The Dover Sherborn Education Fund (DSEF), a non-profit educational foundation, allocates resources to improve curriculum, services, and programs above and beyond that which is supported in the annual school budgets of the Dover Sherborn Public Schools. For more information, go to the Pine Hill website at www.doversherborn.org.

Matriculation
Students completing fifth grade at Pine Hill School continue on to the Dover Sherborn Regional Middle School for grades six, seven, and eight. Students attend the Dover Sherborn Regional High School for grades nine through twelve. Transition planning occurs throughout the spring.