St. Hilda's & St.. Hugh's School

I am the parent of two sons (5th and 7th grade) at St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's. We entered this incredible school when they were in 2nd and 4th grade. While this wasn't a typical entry point, we were warmly welcomed and felt included from the very beginning. We chose St. Hilda's because of the grounded, welcoming community, the plethora of physical and academically-rich opportunities, and the Episcopal tradition. When we were applying, I distinctly recall one of the marketing materials mentioning that "At St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's, every child is sacred." That touched me then and I've been reminded of this often in the 3 years since. My two boys are very different learners, but St. Hilda's teachers have found ways to bring out the best in each of them with support, encouragement, and engaging instruction that keeps them both challenged and excited. Overall, they are happy, thriving, and continue to love school. I know it is because of the love poured into them at this special school.

As a family with three boys at St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's for the past five years, we have been tremendously grateful for this incredible school. When we were looking for a school environment for our eldest when he was 5 years old, we hoped to find a place with rigorous academics, a traditional curriculum, and a nurturing faculty. St. Hilda's has all of this, in addition to a clear sense of values and traditions that match and augment those of our family, with regular Chapel talks, the annual Thanksgiving Food Chain, Christmas Pageant, Michaelmas Day, Poetry breakfast, and more. Most importantly, each of the boys' teachers has approached them holistically, paying close attention to their social and emotional development, in addition to their academic growth. Our sons each have very different learning styles and needs and we are thankful that we have found a school that supports and guides each of them with such care.

When we were looking for a school for our daughter, there were certain things that were very important to us, and after two years at St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's, this school has exceeded our expectations. We love that St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's has continued to instill a love of learning for our daughter - she sees school and learning as a joy, and on days when she doesn't have school she (and some of her friends) miss it and wish they could go! The close relationships teachers have with the students, and the way they partner with parents every step of the way is phenomenal. The sense of camaraderie among students as well as among parents is phenomenal. It always brings a huge smile when an older student offers a quick smile or hug of support, as our young daughter walks through the halls. The annual traditions that punctuate the academic year were an unexpected, delightful surprise and really enrich the rhythm of the school experience. While not a core feature of the school, I would be remiss to not mention the other invaluable resources including after-school programs with homework support, and excellent informal sports and games as well as the after school Enrichment Programs, that include private music lessons, imaginative dives into STEM topics, chess and art, among others. The school's zero tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind, which ties back to the foundation of the school's origins as an inclusive, welcoming community, and seeing each child as sacred is also really important to our family, and comes through clearly in the experience as a member of the school community.

I am a both a graduate of St. Hilda's and St Hugh's and a current parent. There are so many alumni that rejoin the community as parents because of how much we enjoyed our experience as students. Our school is a truly loving community where children can grow and thrive academically, while having fun and making lifelong friends. Unique to St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's is the commitment to racial and economic diversity amongst the student population- this was true 20 years ago, and I am proud to say still remains a priority today. My son (age 4) really enjoys playing different instruments in music class, caring for plants in the school's greenhouse, and practicing the Spanish he is learning with friends and family. My son loves being a student here as much as I did.

I am a current parent at the school. This school is a true hidden among NYC independent schools. It may not be top-ranked, but don't be fooled by that. I have 2 kids one graduated from the school and is currently in boarding school doing very well. My other child is currently at the school and loves it. Kids from St' Hilda's are different and stand out wherever they go. They graduate from the school as well-rounded, kind humans. They are also well equipped and ready for high school. I will undoubtedly choose this school and recommend it over and over again.

What makes St. Hildas & St. Hughes so special is the culture of academic excellence with a strong focus on inclusivity and community. Making every child feel like they belong is a testament to the leadership of Virginia Connor and can be felt throughout the administration. This K (actually beginners) to 8 has helped our children grow academically as well as emotionally in a diverse, academically challenging yet nurturing environment. The small class sizes and the dedication of each teacher have helped shaped our children to become critical independent thinkers. Our 8th grader felt well positioned and supported to navigate the competitive high school admissions process. He was accepted into his first-choice high school! There are countless unique and beloved school-wide traditions including the Thanksgiving chain (which helps stock a local food kitchen), the Christmas pageant, and "Hoops" the annual basketball competition. St. Hildas & St. Hughes is a true gem on the UWS.

I have been at parent SHSH for the past three years and cannot say enough wonderful things about this truly magical place. My children both entered the 2s program and I'm so impressed with the Head of School and teachers' ability to nurture, guide, and understand both of my children so fully, as both students and people. The school also really focuses on building strong character and values, and I'm always in awe of all the kindness and community I see throughout the school-- from the Head of School to the teachers, to the way the students open doors and greet each other in the halls. SHSH is an Episcopal school, but it is incredibly inclusive and committed to a diversity of faiths and cultures. I cannot say enough about how lucky we feel to be a part of this school and community.

I have 3 children at SHSH who have all been there since beginners (2s!) and the school has been amazing for them. We are not Christian, and we were initially wary of being in an Episcopal school. However, the school is only welcoming and celebrates all faiths. And the school community of kindness and compassion is truly what makes SHSH stand out from other schools. After going through the secondary school placement process and talking to other parents with children in other schools, we realized how amazing the SHSH team was at identifying and getting all our children into the best schools suited for them. My eldest is starting at Trinity in the fall and feels SHSH prepared him well for a challenging but exciting high school experience. I cannot recommend this school enough!!

This is our `happy` place. Our family is grateful to be a part of this loving community where our two boys can truly have the best of childhood and learn to become men of character, love, and courage. The teachers and staff are kind and loving and the head of the school is the best. Our boys love school.

Rating 5 out of 5 We have two children in the lower division at St. Hilda's and can't say enough positive things about the school and our experiences there. It's a tight-knit community with teachers who, thanks to the small class sizes, TRULY know each student and provide not just academic guidance, but character education in the truest sense of the word. Among parents/families, the vibe is down-to-earth with a big emphasis on raising good humans. Every time I run into a middle school student, I cannot believe how kind, polite, and poised he or she is. Amazing emissions results, too!

Our 3 children joined St. Hilda`s Lower School in September 2022 and have flourished academically, socially, and emotionally in their first year. Lower School faculty strike just the right balance of academics and play, with our children running to school each day and being truly known and celebrated for who they are by friends and faculty. The entire school community could not have been more welcoming to us, with several families reaching out in advance of the start of school to arrange play dates and get to know our family. Our children were greeted with smiles and hugs by students and faculty on their first day, and the friendship and love extended by the students, families and faculty has only grown from there. Both my husband and I got involved with the Parents Association and have made some incredible friends of our own, all of which have deepened our connection to this warm, welcoming, wonderfully dynamic, and diverse community.