Seven Hills Middle School for Boys

Posted: March 7, 2019

This school has been the best investment we could make in our boys. Middle school is such a tough time and here they embrace the experience with strong academics and an emphasis of finding self and becoming the life long learner that each boy is meant to be

Posted: March 7, 2019

great approach to homework and building upon classroom learning and grade level appropriateness

Posted: March 7, 2019

Teachers are truly partners in the learning relationship and strive to connect with the students in a respectful relationship

Posted: March 7, 2019

This school embodies the idea of compassion and acceptance of every student and every staff for their true self

Posted: March 7, 2019

Posted: March 7, 2019

Because of the small size of the classes, teachers are able to identify and work with students and their learning styles and needs

Posted: March 7, 2019

The ideals of acceptance and compassion are so strong at Seven Hills that they don't tolerate bullying

Posted: September 6, 2016

Posted: September 6, 2016

Posted: September 6, 2016

Posted: November 23, 2015

Exceeds all of our expectations. It feels like a small liberal arts college where the boys are encouraged and supported to develop and practice critical thinking skills, not just memorize facts and perform well on a test. The faculty are excellent, the teaching methods are engaging and effective, parent communication/involvement is high, and the boys LOVE to go to school. One of the most striking aspects of the culture is that the boys are very kind to one another and respectful/supportive of one another's differences - something I certainly didn't expect to find in middle school where most kids of this age would do almost anything to blend in with the crowd.

Posted: March 31, 2015

A great school for those difficult middle years that many boys will encounter. There are too many great stories to tell - I did not know my son is a superb poet, a wonderful writer of fictions, a math wiz, and a history buff, I didn't know that he also enjoys biology and is never tired of debates about politics and religions; I know he hates arts but didn't know that the wonderful Mr. O'Keefe has been encouraging his finding his artistic abilities non-stop. Where can you find a school that the student himself leads the "parent-teacher conference" and he tells the teachers and the parents the things that they did right and the ones not so much? It is not a perfect school (thus four stars), being a relatively new school with tight budget could be one of the many excuses, but it is a great school if you want your boy to grow into a mature young man ready to face high school, beyond what he learns acadically, he learns a lot about himself and the way to look at the world and the others, and I think that is the greatest gift 7HS gives us.

Posted: March 22, 2015

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Posted: November 3, 2014

Our son is very happy at Seven Hills. The school really understands boys, and has created an atmosphere where boys absolutely thrive. My son is actively engaged in his classes and has developed wonderful relationships with the teachers and staff. There are many wonderful male role models for the students Seven Hills (unlike at most schools, where there are far fewer young, male teachers). This is especially true of the headmaster - Dagan Rowe. My son is always surprising us with comments and thoughts on all sorts of matters - from current events to ancient history. Most importantly, my son has learned to appreciate and respect all of his fellow students, regardless of their differences. It's a wonderful community, and we are very fortunate to have such a unique middle school option here in Richmond. We are just beginning to think about high schools, and I know our son is going to be well prepared and confident, regardless of which high school he will eventually attend. Seven Hills has taught our son to be an engaged scholar, but more importantly, it has helped him develop into an empathetic young man that cares about how his community and who is mindful of his role within it.

Posted: September 7, 2014

My son has been very happy at Seven Hills. However, the board and Head of School do not address parental concerns as they should. The school has lost 3 administrators in 6 months and the turnover rate for students is extremely high. Regarding the student who posted on this site that he was able to do the work at the Governor's school, he probably will. However, his post was dated just after he completed 8th grade and he had not yet started school. His mother is also a board member. Board members and their families should not post on here unless they identify themselves. Again, the school is a good one, but it has a long way to go in regaining the confidence from parents who had boys in there last year. Hopefully, this will happen.

Posted: July 22, 2014

We just completed our first year at 7 Hills and could not be happier. There were some initial bumps, which is to be expected when you make any big change like moving schools. We have settled in and have been very happy. Faculty and Staff have been great to deal with, and having been at other private schools I understand that every school has it's own administrative eccentricities and communication style. We have found 7 Hills to be great at inspiring our boys in the class room and the administration has been responsive and supportive. We are looking forward to what the coming years will bring!

Posted: July 8, 2014

I am just looking into my options. AlbertHill Jr high is our home...but I'm researching options.

Posted: June 5, 2014

I'm a freshman in high school now. I went to 7 Hills for three years. I loved going to school every day. The teachers were really good and always helped me. Now I go to the governor's school (ranked 13th in the country!!) and I haven't had any trouble doing the work. I wish 7 Hills had a high school because I would go there.

Posted: June 4, 2014

7HS is awesome! My son is a graduate and is currently in one of the top private high schools in Richmond. 7HS prepared him well for high school ... both academically and socially. He is on the honor roll and thriving. I would recommend 7HS to any parent who is looking for a school that educates the whole boy.

Posted: June 4, 2014

My son went to this school for three years and we all loved it. This is a school that really "gets" boys. The teachers are wonderful, and (despite what some other commenters say) the leadership has a great strategic vision. Our boy was well prepared for HS, not just academically but also socially and in self-confidence. Do yourself a favor: spend the time to visit the school and decide for yourself.

Posted: May 30, 2014

Before you sign a contract with any school, ask for the following information in writing: 1. Student Retention- How many students have left the school after only a year or two? Find out why people have left. 2. Teacher Retention- How long have teachers/staff been at the school. Find out how many have left over the past 3 years. Investigate why they have left. 3. Teacher Bios- Ask for comprehensive teacher bios. Find out what teaching experience they have, whether they are licensed, and what their credentials are. Then you can compare the teacher bios to those of other nearby private schools. 4. Administration Bios Be sure to ask for detailed information about the administration running the school. Do they have administration experience? If yes, how many years? What type of degree do they have? Compare the administration bios to those of other nearby schools. 5. Student Placement - Find out what high school programs students are accepted into after graduation. Compare current acceptance rates to those of students 4 years ago. 6. References - Be sure to ask around to find out what people think of the school. Remember, in a small community, reputation is everything!!!

Posted: May 27, 2014

There is so much potential at this school. Unfortunately the leadership of this school is ill equipped to handle the position. The head of school has poor communication skills, fails to return phone calls and emails and the sales pitch doesn't meet up with what they claim to provide. They take your money and run. Out of 19 boys who started in this school in 5th grade, only 8 stayed to complete the program until 8th in 2014. Pitiful retention and no wonder why. While the boys seem happy, the parents are upset and concerned that the academics are not rigorous, there is no testing. Parents express their concerns to deaf ears. The board is ineffective. What a waste of $15k. Some of the teachers are truly special and fantastic, some are unable to control their classrooms and lack any formal educational background, which results in less than effective teaching techniques. Many of the parents have gone up the flag pole and gotten no where....and thus have left, some at the cost of a paying tuition for a school that they will not allow their child to attend. Buyer beware!

Posted: March 15, 2011

7 Hills has been a godsend for my two boys. One has tested "gifted" and describes 7 Hills as "the school he's been looking for his whole life." My 2nd son needs physical space in the classroom in order to feel comfortablel; he's thriving here. It's a true boys school where they're outside every 90 minutes to let off some steam. The teachers want the boys to succeed. The head of school inspires the boys. We love it. I think if you, as a parent, require a traditional setting where the boys dress well every day, you won't be comfortable at 7 Hills at first.