SHARP

SHARP is designed to offer students from historically underrepresented communities a clearer path to the opportunities available at Seven Hills and similar schools. Our school year and summer programs offer application assistance, entrance test preparation, academic enrichment and opportunities to learn more about the Seven Hills School and its community. We will either facilitate application to Seven Hills and help students find advantageous placement at other schools when appropriate.

We look forward to welcoming curious, eager learners who are seeking academic challenge. The program is designed to serve students who are historically underrepresented at independent schools. SHARP is open to students who are currently in grades 5 through 9 who are not yet Seven Hills students and who are considering applying to Seven Hills or a similar independent school. The SHARP summer program is also open to students who will be attending Seven Hills for the first time in the fall.

All students who participate in SHARP will benefit from the personal attention and low student-teacher ratios characteristic of learning at Seven Hills. SHARP students, in both the school year and the summer programs, will enjoy innovative hands-on learning activities across a range of subject areas. With both SHARP programs, students have opportunities to explore Seven Hills arts and athletics. SHARP School Year and SHARP Summer Program also include opportunities to meet current Seven Hills students and families as well as alumni and faculty.

Students who have not yet applied to Seven Hills will also receive instruction focused on preparing for the ISEE (the Independent School Entrance Exam); this test preparation instruction will help students with other admissions tests, such as the HSPT as well.

SHARP students who go on to apply to Seven Hills will be granted waivers for test and application fees and specially facilitated Student Visit Days (grades 6-12). While the school remains a competitive admission environment, SHARP participants will be given priority consideration for admission and tuition assistance whenever possible.

SHARP Summer Program students who have already enrolled at Seven Hills for the upcoming school year will participate in refresher classes in math and language arts, receive school-issued technology in advance, and have opportunities to meet teachers and classmates in advance of the first day of classes.

The SHARP School Year session is designed for students considering applying for the upcoming school year or the following school year. SHARP School Year meets on weekday evenings for a series of weeks from November through January, culminating shortly before an ISEE test date. This program includes academic activities, ISEE preparation, and special opportunities in the arts and athletics. In addition, the SHARP School Year program has a parallel program for SHARP parents, designed to provide them an opportunity to meet Seven Hills parents and faculty members, learn about Seven Hills programs, and talk one-on-one about the admissions process.

The SHARP Summer session is designed both for students considering applying in the future and for students who are enrolled for the first time for the upcoming school year. This two-week all-day program offers more extended academic and extracurricular opportunities, including field trips. There will also be brief information sessions for parents during the course of SHARP Summer, as well as a closing celebration to which parents are invited.

Students may (in fact, are encouraged to) participate in both SHARP sessions. Students who participate in the SHARP summer program before applying might also participate the following summer if they have enrolled and are preparing for their first school year at Seven Hills.

The  SHARP School Year program is offered during the fall/winter months, in evening sessions, The program provides interested students useful information to help them successfully navigate the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), as well as providing hands-on learning opportunities for students who are considering pursuing and education at a Cincinnati area private school.

Typical Session in SHARP School Year

The SHARP Summer program runs for two weeks in July and August from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Hillsdale Campus. Activities are designed for two sets of students: those who will be attending Seven Hills for the first time in the fall and those who are considering a private school education, but haven’t yet applied. Both groups participate in academic enrichment, exploratory activities and educational field trips. Prospective students receive entrance test preparation and application support. Future students receive assistance in preparing for the school year, in areas such as technology, campus orientation, and summer assignment support. As with the school year, the summer program includes guest instructors from different departments and visits from alumni and current students. Lunch is provided and students will have an opportunity to utilize the school’s athletic and recreational facilities. Parents of SHARP students will have an opportunity to meet with admissions staff during the summer program.

Example of a Typical Day in SHARP Summer

SHARP participants who enroll at Seven Hills will be invited to ongoing school year programming designed to ensure that their transition to The Seven Hills School community is positive and that they feel supported. Once SHARP graduates will also have leadership opportunities within SHARP.

All SHARP students have access to fee waivers for the ISEE test and for the Seven Hills admissions process. Partial scholarships may also be available for SHARP Summer Program fees. SHARP participants who apply to Seven Hills will be eligible to apply for tuition assistance, including scholarship funding set aside for SHARP participants. Contact us at admissions@7hills.org or contact Meredith Brown, SHARP Coordinator, at meredith.brown@7hills.org for further information.