The Hawbridge School: FAQ

What are the class sizes?

The K–3 class size is limited to 17 students. Grades 4 and 5 are capped at approximately 20 students. The Grade 6 class size is not expected to exceed 22 students.

How much technology is used in classrooms?

Technology use at Hawbridge is limited. Teachers use technology to supplement instruction, and Chromebooks are available for students to use during the instructional day.

How much homework is assigned?

Teachers assign homework when students demonstrate a skill deficiency or when additional practice with a concept is needed. Flexible time in the daily schedule gives students an opportunity to complete homework assignments.

How much time do students spend outside?

The daily K–5 schedule provides 30 minutes for outdoor recess. All K–5 students have a 50-minute Outdoors Special each week. Grade 6 and Grade 7 students are also enrolled in an Outdoors course.

Students often eat lunch outdoors, and teachers regularly take classes outside for purposeful instruction.

What specials are offered at the Lower School?

The K–5 weekly rotations include Outdoors, Art, Music, Guidance, and Life Skills. Grade 6 and Grade 7 students enroll in two daily non-core courses and also take Art and Outdoors.

What are the lunch options?

Hawbridge does not have a cafeteria, but refrigerators and microwaves are available for students who bring food from home.

Students may also order food from the Saxapahaw General Store for delivery during lunchtime. View the Saxapahaw General Store menu.

Are sports available?

Students in Grades 6 and 7 are eligible to participate in athletics. In past years, students have participated in cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. Most sports have been coeducational.

How is the school day structured?

The K–5 schedule includes 90-minute reading and math blocks featuring whole-group and small-group instruction. Writing, science, and social studies are also daily components.

All K–5 classes attend a daily special, lunch, and recess. A flexible period allows teachers to revisit topics while students complete homework, participate in enrichment activities such as clubs, or receive additional assistance as needed.

What are the class sizes?

Classes rarely exceed 22 students, and some classes are in the single digits. As students select courses that support their interests, high school experience, and post-graduation goals, most students’ schedules differ slightly.

What are the lunch options?

Hawbridge does not have a cafeteria, but refrigerators and microwaves are available for students who bring food from home.

Students may also order food from the Saxapahaw General Store for delivery during lunchtime. View the Saxapahaw General Store menu.

Where can families learn about the Upper School curriculum?

Please refer to the High School Planning Guide for an overview of course offerings and Hawbridge’s academic approach.

What foreign languages are offered?

Hawbridge offers up to five levels of Spanish, with the fifth level being AP Spanish Language and Culture. The school also offers up to two levels of Mandarin Chinese. In the past, some students have continued their Chinese language studies through online courses.

What does the arts program include?

The arts program is extremely popular at Hawbridge. The school offers introductory, intermediate, and advanced visual arts. Advanced classes focus on students’ individual interests and portfolio development, and many Hawbridge graduates have been accepted to art schools.

Performing arts opportunities include music and theater classes. Theater production auditions are open to students regardless of whether they are enrolled in a theater class.

Does Hawbridge have an honors program?

Although students do not enter a separate formal honors program, Hawbridge offers Honors, Advanced Placement, and acceleration opportunities across its academic disciplines.

Please refer to the High School Planning Guide for information about qualifying for and participating in Honors courses.

What outdoor education opportunities are available?

In addition to physical education classes that may include canoeing and other outdoor activities, Hawbridge has offered courses such as Outdoor Leadership, Haw River Ecology, Environmental Science, and Saxapahaw Studies.

Teachers are encouraged to use the outdoors as classroom space. Hawbridge’s emphasis on place-based education creates additional opportunities to bring the outdoors into the curriculum—and the curriculum into the outdoors.

What sports are offered?

In past years, students have participated in cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. Most sports have been coeducational.

Is organized transportation available?

Hawbridge has used a summer carpool survey to connect interested families by ZIP code. Families receive contact information for others in their area and may then coordinate their own arrangements. Hawbridge can help families connect but does not organize or operate the carpools.

What after-school options are available?

In past years, Hawbridge has worked with Sprout and Camp Chestnut Ridge to provide after-school care, with both organizations picking students up at the end of the school day. Families should contact the school for current after-school options and availability.

What is Hawbridge’s approach to standardized testing?

Since its founding in 1998, Hawbridge has not emphasized standardized testing. The school administers assessments required by the state of North Carolina but does not administer optional assessments such as check-ins.

Small class sizes allow teachers to assess students’ understanding of the curriculum without making standardized testing the primary focus of instruction.

Do you provide services for students with disabilities or learning differences?

Yes. If a student enrolls at Hawbridge with an existing 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program, the school follows the accommodations and modifications outlined in that document.

Those supports may change as the student transitions into the Hawbridge environment and the school learns what works best for them. For students coming from a nontraditional school that does not provide formal services, Hawbridge works with the family to determine how best to support the student.

How is the Exceptional Children Department structured?

Hawbridge provides Exceptional Children services at both the Upper and Lower Schools. Many services use a push-in model, allowing students to remain in their classes. Flexible periods may also provide time for students with Individualized Education Programs to receive services without being removed from elective courses.

What speech and occupational therapy services are provided?

Hawbridge offers speech and occupational therapy as related services.

What services are available for students with 504 Plans?

A student’s 504 team may include the student, their parents or guardians, teachers, and school counselor. The team determines appropriate accommodations based on how the student’s disability or medical condition affects their educational experience.

How does Hawbridge support students who are new to the school?

Hawbridge strives to provide a welcoming environment for students. Like any school transition, joining a new community may feel awkward at first.

The Hawbridge Ambassadors club, led by the school counselor, has helped welcome new students into the community. School counselors are also visible during transitional times—including lunch, Bridge, and class changes—to help students connect with others and find their place at Hawbridge.

How does Hawbridge address students’ social-emotional needs?

School counselors use several approaches, including:

• Individual short-term counseling to address academic and mental-health concerns. School counselors are not therapists, but community-based counseling resources may be provided to families upon request.
• Group counseling to help address conflict among peer groups or other shared concerns.
• Classroom guidance to build community, share mental-health resources, and help students develop skills such as mindfulness, stress management, and time management. At the high school level, classroom guidance may also help students prepare for life after Hawbridge.

School counselors may also use surveys and observations to identify and respond to student needs as they arise.