HICKORY HILL ACADEMY
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
We offer unique enrichment programs for children enrolled in our private school, preschool, and school-age summer camp!

After School Environmental Program
Hickory Hill Academy (HHA), formerly Kids Express Learning Center, offers an innovative After School program for children enrolled in any of our 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. programs. The After School Environmental Club (ASEC), directed by Georgine Jacobs, runs Monday - Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Before School care is available as well, 7:30-8:00 a.m.). Children in ASEC enjoy unique opportunities to explore and learn about nature through daily hands-on nature lessons and activities, including opportunities to feed, water, and care for the farm animals that make HHA their home. AESC members have a wonderful opportunity to plan, prepare, plant, tend, and harvest an on-site organic garden. Our After School program is associated with the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots environmental education club for children.

Mandarin
This Chinese course for beginners includes an introduction to pronunciation and daily expressions. Students will have a fundamental understanding of Mandarin and make basic conversations of daily living. In addition to the dialogues, the selection of reading materials and practice activities will make the content as rich and varied as possible, in order to stimulate the students’ interests. Sample classes on our blog.
Spanish
Each week, children learn new Spanish words for concepts related to lesson plans created by their teacher. Lessons are designed to introduce these words and guide the children as they practice using the words in conversational sentences, followed by meaningful hands-on reinforcement activities. Children are encouraged to select books written in Spanish to share with one another and their homeroom teachers. Sample classes on our blog.

Science and Nature Studies
In Farmer Will’s Nature Nook, a school bus classroom, children engage in hands on experiments and experiences to grasp concepts in physics, chemistry, and more. Children learn about animal characteristics, habits, and more through daily interaction with resident farm animals and nature classes that utilize our school forest, wooded trails, and a tiny pond. Our environment provides rich opportunities to learn about life and the wonders of the natural world. Sample classes on our blog.
Science and Nature Studies teacher, Mr. Rich, demonstrates his passion for nature in every developmentally appropriate nature-based lesson he leads. Children learn through the stories he selects for lessons in Farmer Will's Nature Nook bus, the hands-on activities he plans for in the Nature Center, and through daily interactions with HHA's farm animals. Alongside Mr. Rich and the HHA animals, children learn about animal characteristics, habits, sensitivities, feeding and care. In addition to teaching the children about KELC's domesticated animals, Mr. Rich uses HHA's forest and pond as outdoor 'classrooms' for learning about woodland animals, pond life, birds, and more. Even physics and chemistry lessons find their way into Farmer Will's school bus as Mr. Rich uses all his passions to inspire young, questioning minds.
Music
Bucky Beats is an interactive music experience rooted in percussion, vocal exploration, music reading, exploration of several instruments, and song writing. Classes raise interest in sound, rhythm, instruments, and music, while also helping children to strengthen attention skills. School-age children explore specific instruments, work together to write songs, and are encouraged to have fun and build confidence in their talents and creativity. Sample classes on our blog.
Culinary
Children attend classes lead by our local chefs from Yummy Sprouts -- a dedicated team inspired to educate children about healthy food, and how to make it. Our culinary class promotes a lifelong skill of cooking, builds a sense of accomplishment, and encourages children to try new foods. A kitchen also serves as a learning lab where children use all of their senses. Sample classes on our blog.

Summer Specials
At "Summer on the Farm", homeroom teachers plan fun, interactive activities promoting literacy, math, writing and learning. These activities help children retain what they have learned throughout the school year. In addition, our School-Agers participate in a variety of special classes taught by top instructors in the Madison area. These classes are what makes Summer on the Farm a truly unique experience for our School-Age campers. In the morning, campers select either "Rock & Roll for Kids", Zumba, Gymnastics, Golf, Yoga, or Culinary Classes.