What Is Hill Top Preparatory School?

Updated

Hill Top Preparatory School is a co-ed day school in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, for neurodiverse students in grades 5–12 and post-secondary. It serves bright, creative students who struggle with academic or social success because of performance-based learning differences such as ADHD, autism, specific learning disabilities, or anxiety. The school pairs small class sizes and an individualized college-prep curriculum with social-emotional learning integrated into daily life. Families should consider it if a student has not yet found the right fit in a traditional setting and needs structured support without lowering academic expectations.

Who the school is designed for

Hill Top describes its mission around students who are capable but whose learning or social profile gets in the way of performance. The stated conditions include ADHD, autism, specific learning disabilities, and anxiety. The common thread is a gap between ability and output—students who are bright but not thriving in a standard classroom.

The school covers three stages:

  • Middle School (starting at grade 5)
  • High School
  • Post-Secondary Program, including employability and transition support

That range matters for families planning beyond high school: the post-secondary track addresses the transition to work or further study rather than ending support at graduation.

What the program includes

The core offering is an academically challenging college-prep curriculum built specifically for neurodiverse learners. Key elements named by the school:

Component What it means for a family
Individualized curriculum Each student's plan is built around their profile rather than a single fixed track
Small class sizes More direct attention and fewer places to fall through the cracks
Social-emotional learning Integrated across the school day, not treated as a separate add-on
College-prep academics The goal is continued education, not a watered-down path

Beyond the day school, Hill Top lists several additional programs: a Boys Boarding Program, The Neurodiversity Success Center, and a Summer Camp. These expand the options for families who need boarding, specialized support services, or summer continuity.

How to evaluate fit

Use the school's own framing as a checklist. Hill Top positions itself for students who "haven't yet found the right fit"—so the first question is whether your student's profile matches the conditions above and whether prior settings have left academic or social needs unmet.

Then confirm the practical details directly with admissions:

  1. Check grade and program eligibility — confirm whether your student fits the middle school, high school, or post-secondary track.
  2. Ask about the individualized curriculum process — how a student's plan is built and reviewed.
  3. Inquire about the additional programs — whether the Boys Boarding Program, Neurodiversity Success Center, or Summer Camp apply to your situation.
  4. Attend an Open House — the school lists admissions open houses as its main way for families and professionals to learn about the program.
  5. Note enrollment timing — the site states it is currently accepting mid-year enrollment, which may matter if you are looking for a mid-year change.

Practical notes

The school publishes a public events calendar (athletics, Unity Day, college visits, National Honor Society induction), which gives a sense of day-to-day campus life. For current tuition, application deadlines, and program availability, contact the school directly—those details are not specified on the page reviewed here.