Mission & Philosophy

The mission of Hyla School is to create an educational environment in which students are intrigued with learning. This environment is founded on close, caring connections between teachers and students that encourage students to respect and value themselves and others. In this environment, we provide a strong academic program that develops competent, self-reliant problem solvers. Beyond academics, we strive to help students grow as individuals with integrity.

Middle School Program

The philosophical beliefs that determine how we teach have remained strong and steady through the years. For those who don't know us, these statements say a lot about our school.

WE BELIEVE DEEPLY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS.
Middle school students are rewarding, fascinating people with a tremendous capacity for growth—in self-awareness, independence, relationships, and understanding the world. We value this time in their development and design learning experiences that honor their potential.

WE BELIEVE MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION SHOULD BE EXPANSIVE AND ENGAGING.
Students thrive when given a variety of learning experiences, opportunities to be active participants in their education, and the chance to stretch beyond the classroom. Creativity, independent thinking, and reflection are central to how we teach.

WE BELIEVE DIVERSITY STRENGTHENS LEARNING.
Students learn best—academically and socially—when surrounded by peers with a wide range of personalities, interests, abilities, and backgrounds. Our admissions process seeks to build diverse cohorts, and our teaching aims to bring out the strengths in that diversity.

WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY, RELATIONSHIPS, AND SHARED PURPOSE.
We create opportunities for students to help others both within and beyond our school, and we foster close, multi-faceted relationships between students and teachers. Small class sizes make it possible to know one another as whole people, and to collaborate in a way that is supportive, respectful, and inclusive—even in competitive situations.

WE BELIEVE GROWTH COMES THROUGH CHALLENGE AND REFLECTION.
Students are encouraged to step beyond what is comfortable, take healthy risks, and learn from their mistakes. We view behavioral and academic missteps as essential opportunities for growth in an environment grounded in care and respect.

WE BELIEVE IN RESPONSIBILITY, AUTONOMY, AND VOICE.
We help students understand that freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. We listen to them with respect, hold them accountable, and guide them toward ethical behavior. Likewise, we trust teachers to bring their passions and expertise to the classroom and support their autonomy in doing so.

WE BELIEVE IN MEANINGFUL COMMUNICATION AND FAMILY PARTNERSHIP.
We assess student growth through conferences and narrative feedback that reflect each individual’s progress and potential. We also value strong communication with parents as a vital component of student success.

AND FINALLY, WE BELIEVE OUR STRUCTURE SUPPORTS OUR MISSION.
Our small school and small classes are led by educators who know and care deeply about middle schoolers. That foundation allows everything else to flourish.

Upper School Program

WE WELCOME BRIGHT, INQUISITIVE STUDENTS WHO ARE EAGER TO:

Look beyond, within, and forward with curiosity and compassion.
Engage with the world’s nuance and complexity.
Contribute to collective work with others.
Believe in their own efficacy and potential to impact existing systems and structures as agents of positive change.

WE INVITE STUDENTS TO PARTNER WITH ENTHUSIASTIC FACULTY IN THE VIBRANT INTERPLAY OF:
• An interdisciplinary curriculum that requires intellectual curiosity and courage.
• Experiential learning where students think independently, apply knowledge, and create.
• Autonomy and accountability.
• Learning and doing within each Hyla strategic focus area: human relations, environmental sustainability, global education, and future ready skills.

WE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CO-CREATE A COMMUNITY OF INQUIRY, ACTION, AND IMPACT THAT:
• Leaps boundaries - cognitive, cultural, and geographical.
• Makes respect and authenticity possible for yourself and others.
• Values the intelligence and contributions of neurodiversity.
• Seeks to collaborate and learn from others.

WE EXPECT STUDENTS TO STRIVE FOR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND:
• Seek out and access the support they need to achieve it.
• Co-author their Personal Academic Maps that connect coursework to goals.
• Participate with teachers in the ongoing process of self-reflection to examine personal success, risks, challenges, failures, and perseverance.
• Apply knowledge to real-life scenarios and solutions through field work, internships, and service.
• Pursue training in extracurricular passions, like music, art, and sports.

WE APPRECIATE STUDENTS WHO BUILD COMMUNITY AND:
• Include others.
• Welcome a diversity of ideas, experiences, and expressions in and from others.
• Consider themselves local and global citizens.
• Practice healthy habits that support their own personal well-being (physical, emotional, and spiritual) so they can support the same in others.
• Trust teachers to guide them along their individual educational arcs.

WE CHALLENGE STUDENTS TO:
• Recognize patterns, connect the dots, and verify validity.
• Identify and challenge cognitive filters and biases to see new possibilities and connections.
• Communicate persuasively to connect across opinion and purpose for meaningful impact.
• Integrate knowledge, values, ethics, and action.

I’ve had a lot of time at Hyla, and what I can confidently say is that I’ve never been to a school like it. Here, our motto is “We take care of each other”, and throughout all my time here, I’ve never once believed that the school fails to deliver that.I truly feel that this school has something special, that extra spark of community that ties it all together, and we don’t take it for granted. We take care of each other."Hyla 2025 Graduate

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In This Section

Mission & Philosophy

Our Philosophy & Values

Middle School Program

Upper School Program