Frequently Asked Questions

Mission Hills School is a private school serving Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade across two East Bay campuses, in Union City and Castro Valley, California. The school focuses on small classes, hands-on STEM and technology education, and a well-rounded academic program covering math, science, language arts, world languages, and the arts.

Mission Hills has two campuses. The Union City campus (Mission Hills Middle School) serves Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. The Castro Valley campus (Mission Hills School) serves Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Mission Hills has been educating East Bay students for over 15 years, with a consistent focus on small class sizes and a balance of academics, creativity, and hands-on innovation.

At Mission Hills, we believe families should have choices when it comes to their child's education. Many families choose Mission Hills because they're looking for a more personal, engaging, and academically focused school experience — combined with the convenience and support busy families need. Families often tell us they value smaller class sizes, where teachers have more opportunities to know each student and provide individual attention, and strong academic foundations that emphasize the core skills students need to become confident, independent learners.

They also point to hands-on STEM & technology — students don't just learn about technology, they use it to design, build, code, and solve problems — alongside a well-rounded education spanning STEM, languages, arts, physical education, and other enrichment. Families value a close-knit community and strong parent-school communication, a focus on the individual child, and extended care included at no additional charge for working families.

Choosing a school is about finding the right environment for your child and your family. Mission Hills is designed for families looking for a school where their child can be known, challenged, supported, and inspired — while giving working parents the convenience and peace of mind they need.

Yes. Mission Hills' technology and STEM program includes coding in Scratch, Python, JavaScript, and HTML; robotics with Edison robots, Sphero, and LEGO Mindstorms; Arduino electronics projects; and 3D design and printing using TinkerCAD. Students take part in hands-on challenges and competitions such as Battle Bots, Sphero Bowling, and a Mission to Mars engineering project, alongside instruction in digital citizenship and online safety.

Mission Hills keeps class sizes small, typically between 15 and 24 students, so teachers can give each student more individual attention.

The core curriculum spans math, science, English and creative writing, French and Spanish, physical education, and the arts, in addition to the school's technology and STEM coursework. Separate curriculum tracks are offered for elementary and middle school students.

At Mission Hills Schools, we believe every student has the ability to succeed when provided with the right support, encouragement, and opportunities to grow. From their very first day on campus, students experience a culture that values academic excellence, personal growth, curiosity, and perseverance.

Our passionate teachers create engaging, positive learning environments where students are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and embrace challenges. By replacing the fear of failure with confidence and curiosity, students are empowered to think independently.

We recognize that every student learns differently. Through smaller class sizes and supportive learning environments, Mission Hills is able to tailor instruction to meet the individual needs and pace of each child, with teachers and staff working closely with students and families.

Success at Mission Hills is built on a strong partnership between students, families, teachers, and administrators — a warm, nurturing community where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to learn.

Mission Hills Schools is committed to supporting the individual learning needs of each student. While we do not have a dedicated school psychologist on campus or specialized resources for every type of learning need, our experienced teachers and administrators have a strong history of providing thoughtful support, appropriate accommodations, and meaningful academic challenges for students with a variety of learning profiles.

Through close communication with families and a collaborative approach, we work to understand each student's unique needs and provide support within our educational environment whenever possible. Please contact our Admissions team to discuss your child's specific situation and how Mission Hills may be the right fit.

Families can schedule a campus tour through the school's website and speak with staff about enrollment. Mission Hills accepts applications on a rolling, first-come first-served basis rather than a single fixed deadline.

Yes. Mission Hills offers year-round open enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis, so families can apply at any point in the school year, subject to space availability.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK): children who turn 4 years old by July 31 are eligible to begin TK on the first day of the school year. Children who turn 4 after July 31 may still be eligible to enroll later in the year depending on birthdate and developmental readiness — contact our Admissions team to discuss eligibility.

Kindergarten: children who turn 5 years old by October 31 are eligible to begin Kindergarten during that school year.

Yes. Mission Hills Schools offers an assessment experience for prospective students in TK–5th grade as part of the admissions process. This visit gives students a chance to experience our learning environment while allowing our teachers to better understand their academic readiness, learning style, and overall fit within our school community.

During the assessment, students take part in age-appropriate activities designed to observe foundational academic skills, classroom engagement, and social-emotional readiness, helping our admissions team and teachers determine the best placement and support for each student.

The assessment process is available to applicants after an application has been submitted.

Tuition varies by campus and grade level. Contact the Union City or Castro Valley campus directly, or see the current fee schedule on the school's website, for exact rates.

At Mission Hills Schools, we are committed to making a quality education accessible to qualified students, regardless of financial circumstances. Mission Hills School and Mission Hills Middle School reserve a portion of our income to provide need-based tuition assistance to support families who qualify.

As we do not receive local, state, or federal funding or grants, tuition assistance is awarded on a case-by-case basis based on available resources and individual family circumstances. Families interested in learning more about eligibility and the application process are encouraged to contact our Finance Office.

For tuition payments, families may choose from two convenient options: one annual payment, or ten monthly payments.

Yes. Mission Hills runs summer workshops covering Engineering, Math, Robotics, English, and a Creative Studio track, typically running six weeks over the summer with full-session and weekly enrollment options.

No, Mission Hills Schools does not require school uniforms. We believe students should feel comfortable expressing their individuality while maintaining a neat, respectful, and school-appropriate appearance.

We do ask that all students wear appropriate athletic shoes on days they have Physical Education (P.E.). For students in 6th–8th grade, P.E. classes include more structured physical activities, and students should come prepared with athletic footwear that allows them to participate safely and comfortably.

While the classroom experience is at the heart of student learning, Mission Hills Schools believes that meaningful experiences beyond the classroom are equally important in helping students grow, explore their interests, and build confidence.

We offer a variety of sports, athletics, clubs, and enrichment activities designed to encourage teamwork, creativity, leadership, and personal growth. Our offerings continue to evolve based on student interests, teacher passions, and opportunities that enhance the overall school experience.

The Union City campus (Mission Hills Middle School) can be reached at (510) 493-2189. The Castro Valley campus (Mission Hills School) can be reached at (510) 317-8627.

Yes. Tours can be requested through the tour request page on the Mission Hills website, or by calling the campus you're interested in directly.