The Hopwood School FAQ

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School Questions:

What is your school's philosophy?
What is your school's curriculum?
Can I visit my child during the school day?
When do you start tours and enrollment for next year?
What type of security and emergency procedures do you have?
What are your hours?
Are you open all year?
Do you have "before and after care"?
What elementary schools bus to and from your school?
What is your staff turnover?
What is the average age of your staff?
Do you take infants?
Does my 2 year old have to be potty trained?
What is your school closing procedure / policy for snow?

Camp questions:

What is your camp's philosophy?
Can I visit my child during the camp day?
What is your camp enrollment procedure?
What type of security do you have at camp?
What are your camp hours?
Do you have "before and after care"?
What is your camp counselor profile?
Does my 3 year old have to be potty trained?
What are your swimming policies?
Do you go on camp field trips?
Do you offer sibling discounts?
Do you offer part time programs for Middle and Upper Camps?

School questions and answers

Q: What is your school's philosophy?
A: We concern ourselves with the "Whole Child". We focus on the intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth of your child. To learn more please go to our philosophy page. > back to top

Q: What is your school's curriculum?
A: The High/Scope approach is the basis of the Hopwood programs. To learn more please go to our curriculum page. > back to top

Q: Can I visit my child during the school day?
A:Yes! We have an open door policy. Special days allow for a parent to stay at school for a morning or afternoon in the classroom. > back to top

Q: When do you start tours and enrollment for next year?
A: We start enrollment for new students in January for the next academic year. We accept enrollment for returning students in December for the next academic year. > back to top

Q: What type of security and emergency procedures do you have?
A: The Hopwood School has a PIN# security system for access to the front of the building. Additionally, all children have associated pick-up lists. Children are only permitted to leave with individuals on that list or with individuals previously approved by a parent. All outdoor play areas are fenced. Hopwood has emergency preparedness policies and procedures in place as required by state and federal law. These policies and procedures are only disclosed to staff, local emergency services and parents of enrolled students. > back to top

Q: What are your hours?
A: The Hopwood School is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. M-F > back to top

Q: Are you open all year?
A: Yes. However, we are closed for major holidays (we follow the major holiday schedule associated with the North Penn school district) and we are closed for a short period just prior to the school year. > back to top

Q: Do you have "before and after care"?
A: We can provide care for your child prior to and after our school day as long as it is arranged in advance. $4 / hr. for one child and $6 / hr. for two. > back to top

Q: What elementary schools bus to and from your school?
A: Presently, Walton Farm Elementary. However, we do transport children from General Nash Elementary using our school van. > back to top

Q: What is your staff turnover?
A: Our turnover is very low. Several of our teachers were with the school for nearly 30 years until their recent retirement. Our teaching staff today has an average of 7 years at Hopwood (some going on 12 years). > back to top

Q: What is the average age of your staff?
A: Our teaching staff's average age is approximately 45 years old. Our aide staff averages approximately 35 years old. > back to top

Q: Do you take infants?
A: Sorry, we do not care for infants. Children must be 2 years of age as of September 15th of the enrollment year. > back to top

Q: Does my 2 year old have to be potty trained?
A: No they do not. > back to top

Q: What is your school closing procedure / policy for snow? A: Please listen to the radio station WNPV am 1440, watch WPVI channel 6, or visit the home page of this site for our closing information. If snow or ice conditions merit a school closing, we will make the decision prior to 6:00 a.m. Our first criterion for closing is whether or not the North Penn School District is closed. If the School District is closed, our second criterion is current and/or forecast secondary road conditions to and around the school. If the Director determines that current conditions and/or forecast conditions are not conducive to safe travel for students, parents and staff, the school will be closed. Both criteria must be met to close the school. WE NEVER HAVE LATE OPENINGS OR EARLY DISMISSALS. WE ARE EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED. ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS, CLASSES WILL BE CLOSED BUT DAY CARE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR WORK COMMUTING PARENTS. TUITION IS NOT REFUNDED FOR SNOW DAYS. Again, please listen to the radio station WNPV am 1440, watch WPVI channel 6, or visit the home page of this site for our closing information. > back to top

Camp questions and answers

Q: What is your camp's philosophy?
A: We concern ourselves with the "Whole Child". We focus on the intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth of your child. To learn more please go to our philosophy page. > back to top

Q: Can I visit my child during the camp day?
A:Yes! We have an open door policy. Chances are, however, your child will be so busy playing and moving through activities that they may not have time for Mom or Dad. > back to top

Q: What is your camp enrollment procedure?
A: We start enrollment for summer campers the first week in February. Please call or contact us starting in January to put your name on our mailing list if your child has never enrolled at Hopwood. Previously enrolled families will receive brochures automatically in February. Our programs always fill up quickly, some earlier than others. We have no way of predicting when they will fill up or which ones will fill up first. Once you recieve our brochure and registration forms, it is always best to get the forms and deposit(s) back to us ASAP! Once registered, you will subsequently recieve your tuition bill (based on the program and number of weeks you choose) and additional forms. Payment for summer camp is due in full prior to May 15th.

Once full, our programs will close without notice. We only honor the receipt of completed registration forms accompanied by deposit checks. Calling about the camp, receiving a brochure or visiting the camp does not constitute registration.> back to top

Q: What type of security do you have at camp?
A: Hopwood Camp has a PIN# security system for access to the front of the main school building. Additionally, all children have associated pick-up lists. Children are only permitted to leave with individuals on that list or with individuals previously approved by a parent. All outdoor play areas for lower camp are fenced. > back to top

Q: What are your camp hours?
A: The Hopwood Camp is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. M-F > back to top

Q: Are you open all summer?
A: Yes. However, we are closed for the 4th of July and we are closed for a short period just prior to the school year. > back to top

Q: Do you have "before and after care"?
A: We can provide care for your child prior to and after our camp day as long as it is arranged in advance. $4 / hr. for one child and $6 / hr. for two. > back to top

Q: What is your camp counselor profile?
A: Many of our counselors were campers as children. Many counselors are college students majoring in education or working teachers on summer break. Our camp staff has an average of 5 years at Hopwood. > back to top

Q: Does my 3 year old have to be potty trained?
A: Yes they do. We cannot allow them in the pool for lessons if they are not potty trained. > back to top

Q: What are your swimming policies?
A: Swimming is a big part of summer camp. Children learn to swim and/or improve their water skills and confidence at Hopwood. The pools are also a very social place for campers and a place to cool off during hot days. All lifeguards are certified.

1. There are 3 swim times at Hopwood; morning lessons, afternoon free swim and after care free swim. Children must participate in morning lessons to swim in the afternoon free swim.

2. Both pools are sectioned into three areas (shallow, middle and deep). Children must pass lifeguard monitored tests in order to swim in progressively deeper water.

3. Children are required to swim at Hopwood. It is a part of the curriculum. Special care is taken with children with no water experience or fear of the water. Hopwood will not segregate children from swimming activities or the pool under any circumstance, however, children with a valid doctor's note (i.e. for swimmer's ear) are not required to swim during the recovery period prescribed by the doctor.> back to top

Q: Do you go on camp field trips?
A: Yes we do! Upper and Middle camp alternate weekly field trips. Trips include everything from nature trips, laser tag, rock climbing, Phillies' games and much more. > back to top

Q: Do you offer sibling discounts?
A: Yes. Please call to discuss the number of children you will be enrolling.> back to top

Q: Do you offer part time programs for Middle and Upper Camps?
A: No. "Middle" Camp (ages 6,7,8) and "Upper" Camp (ages 9-12) are full day / 5 day only programs (2 week minimum enrollment). However, Preschool "Lower" Camp (ages 3 through 5) offers several full day and half day options within 2, 3 and 5 day programs (2 week minimum enrollment). > back to top