Hilldale is an absolute gem. We've been part of the community for nearly nine years and currently have children in 8th, 6th, and 4th grade. We're deeply grateful for how the school has supported, nurtured, and challenged each of them. The head of school is outstanding, and the teachers and staff are exceptional. We came for the academics and stayed for the school's commitment to developing thoughtful, self-aware, and engaged citizens. Hilldale's core habits of leadership, respect, and independent lifelong learning are woven into every aspect of the experience. The curriculum is well balanced, with strong emphasis not only on STEM, but also on humanities, arts, music, ethics, and global citizenship. Some of our favorite traditions include the Young Authors Project, the Harvest Feast, the Winter Music Concert, and the International Fair, which celebrates cultures from around the world. We've also appreciated how thoughtfully the school meets each child's individual needs. One of our children received early support and accommodations for a learning difference, even before a formal diagnosis, and is now thriving alongside his peers. Another was moved ahead in a subject to ensure he was adequately challenged. Throughout, communication with us as parents has been clear and collaborative. Our oldest is sad to say goodbye after starting in kindergarten, but she leaves well prepared for the transition to high school. We can't thank the Hilldale team enough for their dedication to our children's growth over the years. read more

Very unwelcoming school, one of the staff said that my child has dyslexia even though he doesn't, does not feel like a school AT ALL.

Hilldale has been an amazing experience for our whole family. The teachers and staff are extremely attentive and communicative and we have been deeply impressed with the level of attention each student receives. It has been amazing to experience the dedicated teachers working to see the individual needs of the students and really tailoring each child's experience in a way that both supports and challenges them beautifully. We feel so lucky to send our kiddo to school in an environment that is academically rigorous and at the same time socially/emotionally nurturing. Ms. Clayton is an incredible head of school; it is hard to imagine how she finds the time to be so available to every family and really get to know each of the students at Hilldale. Ms. Sanchez is a dream of a Kindergarten teacher - kind, patient, warm, and inspiring. Mrs. Burleson seems to be able to be in all places at once, even giving her time to do individual tutoring with kids. It's a gift to know that our kiddo is in such capable, thoughtful, and caring hands at school and it is wonderful to see the love of learning and of the whole social school experience that it is fostering. read more

My twin boys love Kindergarten at Hilldale. The school has bright/gifted children, a warm atmosphere, and teachers who challenge your kids to their full potential (not simply meeting them where they are). They believe in differentiated education, and your kids will be grouped with others of similar mastery, not absolute age. From the first assessment you'll go through during the application, they really get to know your child's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. They have created an inclusive environment where different cultures are studied but without political agendas. Pricing is an absolute value compared with similar quality schools as their tuition includes coverage from 7:30am to 6pm; they cater to working parents! read more

I cannot say enough great things about this gem of an independent and unpretentious educational institution! We stumbled upon this school after years of navigating private school options in San Francisco that we could never see ourselves fitting into. They did an incredible effort during Covid to keep the community safe without skipping a beat. We joined in 3rd grade and love the administration, the teachers, and curriculum and social emotional learning is a priority. read more

A few things we liked about Hilldale after speaking with the principal, reading the web site, and speaking with a couple of parents: - the values of the school leadership, including emphasis on behavioral norms, high expectations etc. - they teach all subjects one grade level ahead - high emphasis on social-emotional learning at an age-appropriate level - they're serious about differentiation within the class (e.g. for math and English) - when differentiation isn't enough, they consider subject acceleration (e.g. 3rd grader in 5th grade math) - price - extended care up to 6pm at no extra charge; - they place kids after a half-day assessment, instead of by age. Any San Francisco school (either public or private) would have forced our son to do kindergarten, because he was born 2 weeks after the cut-off, even though he had already mastered all of the academic content for that grade. Our expectations have been met. In addition: - amazing parent community - amazing principal who treats each child as an individual read more

My three kids (ages 7, 9, 11) have been attending Hilldale School in Daly City since they were in Pre-K. When COVID hit, they transitioned seamlessly to all-virtual, without skipping a beat. My kids still covered all the intended curriculum for the year, and had fun doing it! They were in school from 8:30-3:30 pm on zoom, with regular breaks to avoid zoom fatigue - even my little kindergartener. And they covered all the intended curriculum for the year. Hilldale is an independent private school that is academically accelerated (sometimes 1-2 grades ahead of the public school system), with incredible teachers, a very strong community of parents and families (who are for the most part, working parents), a rich program in the arts (music and art), world language and citizenship, and character education. Their mission is to meet the needs of accelerated and above average students, which is often lacking in the public school system (no STEM programs, etc). The class sizes are small (12-18 students), allowing ample opportunity for differentiated learning (both within the class and intra-classes - some students may excel at math, and go up one grade for math, and then back to their home class, because they might not be emotionally or socially ready to skip an entire grade). That differentiation is very fluid - it could change depending on the subject, the topic being discussed. This flexibility allows for our kids to get education that is tailored to their individual learning needs. The school day goes from 8:30-3:30 pm, with no extra cost for extended care till 6pm (all included in the tuition). The school year is longer than the traditional year (195 days), but that means more learning (and less summer camps you have to book)! They emphasize hands-on, project-based learning with fieldtrips that reinforce the content from class. For example, when my kids were learning about China, India, and Japan, we took fieldtrips to Chinatown, had a tour from a local grandma who had grown up there, and we explored her neighborhood. We went to the Japanese tea garden and had a tea tasting experience. When they studied ancient civilizations in 4th grade, we went to the amazing San Jose Egyptian museum to see the huge collection of Egyptian artifacts. They make learning fun and exciting! After school enrichment programs are available for those (with a minimal additional cost), like cooking class, piano or guitar lessons, chess, lego class, and other fun sessions! There's a homework club that everyone automatically participates in if they're after school, with a dedicated teacher for that grade so that YOU don't have to hassle them to finish their homework when you get home. Ms. Sasha Clayton, the principal, is an incredible rock star! She is incredibly responsive, warm and loving. She knows EVERY single child - their quirks, their likes and dislikes, and personalities. She is so responsive, communicative, and willing to incorporate parental feedback and will make changes swiftly if needed. When we had a teacher that was not a good fit last year, she addressed it head on, observing the teacher in the classroom, watching recordings of her teaching sessions, had one-on-one feedback with the teacher, held parent meetings with us, where we voiced our concerns, and within a week, the teacher was gone and replaced with one that everyone loved. Her leadership through COVID has been tremendous. She is highly informed and thoughtful, had a steering committee of parents to help craft the policies and procedures, based on the most up-to-date science and public health guidelines. I'm an emergency physician, and can attest that the school's policies and procedures have made all of us feel very safe. I guarantee that you will not find a better principal - she sets the tone for the school, and sets her expectations high for the students and teachers. She's had a legacy of recruiting exceptional teachers. In short, we absolutely LOVE Hilldale. It's a hidden gem that is reasonably priced (when compared to other private schools in the SF Bay Area), and my kids have truly thrived because they are surrounded by kids who are bright, inquisitive, and love to learn. Hilldale is a place where it's "cool" to be smart and gifted. It's a place that is not only focused on academics, but in the whole student - developing an ethical, responsible, civic-minded, compassionate and kind human being. I wish I had been able to go to a school like Hilldale when I was a child. You will not find a better school for the price. read more

I can't say enough praises to this school and it's Principal! The values of the school and it's leadership and teachers are beyond believe!! The way every student and parent is treated at the school is outstanding! All subjects are taught at least 1 year above all other private schools and actually at a High schools level. The education children get at Hilldale is PRICELESS!! PLEASE, TRUST ME, IT IS WORTH YOUR EVERY PENNY AND MORE!! The discipline at school is very strict which is perfect and creates very organized and structured environment, which promotes education, not playing around. Don't take me wrong, they have lots of fun days, activities, parties, etc. "Work hard and play hard", but work is Hilldale's first priority. It gave my daughter an invaluable experience and education which prepared her for high school better than all other students in her grade from different private schools. Hilldale school leadership will always accommodate a student whether he/she is above or below the average and needs some curriculum adjustment. There are many, many more plusses and advantages at Hilldale, that i can't even fit all in this review. The most personable and amazing principal, who cares about every single child GENUINELY and is always willing to help. If you are looking for THE BEST EDUCATION in Bay Area, this school is for you! read more

Hilldale has provided a loving, supportive and challenging environment for our daughter since pre-K (now in 7th grade). We have been impressed with the curriculum throughout, which is accelerated and differentiated, but not too intense. The kids take Spanish from Kindergarten on, and there are weekly music, art and technology classes for all grades, and the middle school provides a number of electives each semester for enrichment (from debate to engineering to gardening). The teachers and administrators are highly engaged and know all of the students. They care deeply about our kids and I am so comfortable leaving my daughter in their care each day. The school actively helps parents and kids evaluate choices for their post-Hilldale education, providing seminars and assistance in finding the right public or private high school and helping families navigate the complicated submission process. I personally have benefited so much from the involved parent community and have made some wonderful, close friendships that I hope will continue on past graduation. The school is a rarity in that it is secular (not religious nor affiliated with any church) and still much more affordable than other private schools we looked into. We appreciate the values and character education the school promotes, and have been impressed with the young people who graduate each year. We will be sad to leave our "home" next year when our daughter finishes eighth grade! read more

I cannot say enough great things about Hilldale School. Its administration, teachers and curriculum are top notch. When my son entered 6th grade at Hilldale middle school, not only did the other children welcome him into their class with open arms (most of them had been together since kindergarten so we were nervous about my son being able to integrate), but my son says he learned more in his first 3 months in various classes at Hilldale than in the 8 years at his previous highly regarded (and expensive) private school in SF. The curriculum is academically advanced, but my son has been able to catch up with the support of his teachers and mentors. When Covid hit, we were impressed at the speed and agility with which the school was able to pivot to virtual learning - with full days and lessons. Hilldale School is an amazing and warm community and we can't wait until our son can return to enjoy his teachers, peers and school events in person. For those other reviewers that were not impressed with Hilldale's facilities, believe me I experienced the opposite and much prefer Hilldale's homey atmosphere. During our 8 years at his previous private school in the Mission District, we experienced high annual tuition hikes and shakedowns to donate money to capital campaigns for new, gleaming facilities and updates to others - but these came at the expense of a focus on academics, teacher retention and attention on building kids' characters. It was nice to have a farm & garden and every musical instrument under the sun at my son's previous school, but believe me all of the wonderful attributes of Hilldale and the humans behind it make us not miss the fancy facilities at all. read more

This is a wonderful school and the faculty is very focused on each child's learning. From frequent academic related field trips to holiday recognition the curriculum incorporates more than just dates and facts but the reason behind the events. Since the school site is on a hill there are stairs and inclined paths (but that is because it is on a hill). There are several outdoor play areas that are level. The bathroom in the pre-k classroom is a standard bathroom that you would find in anyone's home, so unless you have made a specific child sized restroom in your home then this is just like home. They have the steps in front of the toilet and sink just like we do at home. read more

Great place ,great school . I am happy that my kids attending the school .great community highly recommend !! read more

I want to thank the Principal and all the teachers at Hilldale School for making my older son such a great person. The school is small, but is very family friendly and welcoming. The teachers provide a very unique and academic education to the students. In the past 3 years, my older has grown so much. Now I'm applying my younger son to Hilldale. I highly recommend this school to everyone! read more

If you have an incredibly gifted and outgoing child who needs a strong academic focus and having them pushed academically is your main goal, this could be for you. However, I didn't realize just how disappointing the facilities are until I started touring other private (and even public) schools. The rooms are cramped and the outdoor space is uninspiring. Additionally, although I found principal Clayton friendly and personable on an individual level, my interaction with her, and the entire child interview process left me with some serious red flags I only realized in retrospect, outlined below. This was for assessment into their pre-K or K program (we were open, didn't know where he would fit), and my son was 4 years, 1 month old at the time: 1. The assessment takes place behind a closed door where a child is alone with the principal. There are no visiting days for kids prior, so this is the first time they are in this environment and meeting the staff. I had told my son I would be waiting just outside the door, and was told (in front of him) to just go home and they will call me to get him later. I truly can't imagine a child who wouldn't be stressed out by this but, being our first school, I didn't know that this is abnormal and that other schools are much more sensitive to a child's emotions and need for feeling secure. 2. The website will tell you that the assessment is "fun". It is in actuality an exam administered by the principal, with the child required to answer directly to questions about shapes, letters, numbers, vocabulary etc. 3. I was asked to come back early, I suspected that the assessment had not gone well and while I waited for the principal to see me in, a secretary said "oh I am sure it went fine, when he came out he wasn't crying like a lot of kids do". !!Other kids come out crying? 4. I was taken through my son's performance, which, though not up to the school's accelerated standards I can appreciate, was well within range of a normal 4 yr old child. However, the results were presented to me as a string of failures "he didn't know all his lower case letters, he couldn't name an octagon, he wouldn't try and write his name for me". I was told that his vocabulary was that of a 6 1/2 yr old (2 years ahead of his age!) but this was mentioned briefly before a long tirade of the words he didn't know. Examples: "for this one he said bones instead of skeleton, and here he said tables n chairs instead of furniture". 5. The principal then proceeded, though I will admit in a very kindly manner, to tell me she believes my son may be on the spectrum, because he didn't make much eye contact with her and wasn't trying to make conversation with her. Being that she was a person of authority, I took this very seriously and sought out the proper channels for assessment. In the end I learned that my son is 100% absolutely NOT on the spectrum, and that his reaction of being withdrawn in this scenario was more than normal given the stressful circumstances. I also learned from pediatricians and county assessors how incredibly inappropriate it was for principal Clayton to even make this kind of judgement call. read more

I recently went for a school tour for my 4 yrs admission, i really liked their curriculum........ & its only that which is really good about the school. The restroom need to be renewed. Its so ugly, old & scary. I really pitty the kids who are currently using them. This school is no where getting less fees compared to others. Why cant they maintain a better restroom for the kids who had to be in their school for more than 6hrs? I can even accept the building being old for a good education but not the restroom, for the small kids. Parents have some courtesy for your kid who had to use that kind of a rest room the whole day during their school timings. Path leading to each class room is so slippery & steep, especially the one leading to Music class & Pre-K Class, I won't be surprised if there's any poisons snakes or insects hiding beneath or on the sides of the walk way & the bushes around. Its so scary more than education. read more

The best way I can prepare my kid for a successful life is by providing a great foundation, and that is where Hilldale School comes into play. Not only do they provide an accelerated curriculum, but it is delivered with the utmost care. My child has attended Hilldale School for 6 years and I could not be prouder of the results. Hilldale has created a well rounded individual with a sense of community. I have 2 kids 7 years apart, and based on how well they prepared my older child to become a leader and a thinker, I revel at the opportunity to enroll my younger kid in this wonderful environment. Some of the reasons my younger child will attend Hilldale: * Small classes with individualized attention. Teachers really care and at Hilldale School they are given the opportunity to provide individualized attention to my child. * They've fostered the love for reading to each and every child in the school. My oldest child reads for fun, outside of school two or more books a week now. This is due to Hilldale School's reading buddy program, where older kids read to the younger ones and viceversa. * Drama, Music, Art, Spanish are an important part of the included classes. * After school homework club allows my child to finish homework by the time to leave, allowing play time and family time on the evenings. Homework has always been well planned to allow for work/life balance. * After school activities like, cooking, lego, chess, soccer, swimming are well orchestrated and my kids wants to sign up for everything year after year. * Being a non denominational school, my kids has been exposed and respects multiple religious and political views without prejudice. * Fields trips that are fun but have education on the forefront. * All the parents I have met care for the development of their children and thus are very involved with the school and have built an incredible community. The community feeling is truly appreciated at the end of the year picnic, where teachers and students engage in a water gun battle and alumni often return to partake on the festivities. It is here where I spoke with graduates and their parent and learned that all of them are excelling with ease at their High Schools of choice. read more

Hilldale is the epitome of accelerated, immersive, schools that seem to be trending recently. It operates more like a large family than a traditional school. That said, traditional teaching is the backbone of their success. Science, math, writing, and social studies all take a forward position, and the children in grades K-3 really get a head start. Our Second Grader is not only proficient, but excelling beyond what we thought possible. He has taken a great interest in Drama, Music, and Spanish as well. I cannot say enough about the Principal.....Ms. Clayton who so obviously takes a very personal, yet very professional approach to learning, socialization, and administration of her school. Great job Hilldale! read more

Both my kids attend Hilldale School and absolutely love it! From the day they had their assessment tests with Ms. Clayton, they were pampered with loving teachers who pay individual attentions and kind classmates who never tease or bully. The class size is small. Pre-K has 15 kids with two teachers. Kindergarten class is the largest in size, with 20 students and two teachers. The school's slogan is "rising to the challenge." And indeed, my kids constantly amazed me with how much they can learn and achieve at such a young age. The accelerated curriculum sounded daunting, but the kids can do it with ease with the proper level of encouragement and individual attention. After school activities are plentiful, ranging from drama, musical performance, chess, swimming, cooking (one of the all-time favorites) to lego and dance. Most after-schools are included in the tuition. The tuition is the lowest I can find in the Bay Area of all secular private schools. The school encourages public speaking and performance and hosts at least 3 drama and musical performances annually. It was a delight to see my very shy child reciting long poems and singing beautiful songs in front of a big crowd! If you are looking for an affordable school with solid education and loving environment, you should check out Hilldale. read more

Rising to the Challenge! That's what kids are doing at Hilldale School. My son has attended pre-k and kindergarten at HIlldale. In under two years, he has gone from being a non-reader to reading multiple books per week and doing double digit addition and subtraction. This, however, does not mean all work and no play. While the emphasis is on academics,it is presented in a structured but fun and positive manner. Moreover, they teach not only academics but also place value on good citizenship. Each month there is a new virtue on which some lessons are based. Honesty, integrity and perseverance, to name a few. Curriculum includes Spanish, music and art and Hilldale offers a wide variety of after school programs. Even if you choose not to enroll in after-school programs, after school care until 6 pm is included in the tuition. I am extremely impressed by the teaching staff whose dedication and enthusiasm is apparent. They have the resources to teach subjects from a variety of approaches for effective learning. Because of the small class sizes, kids receive more individual attention. I think this is important so that kids can get the extra help when they need it. This boosts self-confidence in that they can overcome learning obstacles and in the process, develop good study habits. I am especially impressed with the principal, Ms Clayton. She is very attentive and responsive to the parents and the school community. It is very apparent that she is genuinely concerned for the well-being of the kids. She knows all the students and their parents by name, showing how involved she really is. Not all is perfect, however. The playground and some of the eating areas are not level and the classrooms are not modern and quite cramped. There is no indoor gathering area for lunch or assemblies when it's raining and they have to resort to eating or having recess in their classrooms. These issues are generally cosmetic and the school gets by. But there are plans to build a multi-purpose room to address this concern. In a nutshell, Hilldale is an accelerated academic school that emphasizes early reading and challenges kids to achieve their full potential in all areas. It is a relatively small school making for a famiiar and safe environment for children. I think students come out of Hilldale with self-confidence, self- esteem and skills that well prepare them for high school. read more

My son is enjoying Mrs. lee 1st grade class. I really like the school . The staff does a wonderful job communicating with the parents. My child is being challenged and loving every minute! Thanks Hilldale for doing such a great job with the little ones!!! read more

I don't write a lot of yelp reviews, but I just have to share this one with other parents. Hilldale is a wonderful school in Daly City, which my daughter has been attending for almost three years. If you are looking for an advanced curriculum and a friendly atmosphere, then Hilldale is a right school for you! Hilldale is a K-8 school, so we are planning to stay there long term. Furthermore, the school offers a superb Pre K program, where loving and caring teachers do a great job of preparing the little ones for kinddergarden. My daughter attended the Pre K program and I cannot wait for my son to start! HIlldale offers art, music and Spanish classes, taught by specialists. In addition, there are various after school activities; such as drama, swimming, musical theatre. All the staff are highly professional and are very dedicated to their students. We are very fortunate to have found Hilldale for our children and I look forward to many more years there, read more

My son attends pre-K here and is having a great time. He's so excited about learning he wants to do more 'work' when he gets home. He walks around singing songs and he loves the playground and 'outside' time. read more

Since 2015, it was no replied. The moment Sasha Clayton saw my feedback, she immediately managed to find a parent to provide a reply. Sasha - feedback is a gift. You are losing business because the school is poorly performed compare to other schools because you're not addressing school issues. People are not leaving good school.... read more

I am so happy with this place the are very good my kids been in this school for two years great finance aid . My kids love this place nice community !!!! read more

We are lucky that we found this place through greatschools.com. The teacher/student ratio is perfect for our child and the extended aftercare program has a wonderful variety of offerings. It provides a wonderful and supportive community for our entire family. read more

Not as many people post these days, but Hillsdale is a great school. Everyone there is friendly and kind. The teachers are kind and really care about the education of the students. There are schools that make learning stressful and hard, but here, all the teachers make learning a lot more interesting. All the students there are really nice, and making friends is not hard. Again, this is a great and memorable school. There is no place I'd rather be than here. read more

This is a wonderful, small private school for Pre-K thru 8th grade. Although it's located in Daly City, it's just minutes from most neighborhoods in San Francisco (Bernal, Noe, Portrero, West Portal, Sunset, Ingleside, Excelsior, Glen Park, Sunnyside, etc.) It's not religious at all and very academic, and one of the only places I know of where your child can start Kindergarten without meeting any minimum age requirement. The teachers are wonderful and the school is a very safe, caring environment. read more

This has been the perfect place for my Grandson. He started in the Pre-K and is now in 1st grade. The faculty is great in challenging the students to learn to their fullest potential. read more

We consider ourselves so fortunate to have found The Hilldale School. Our son loves going to school, and we know that his education easily surpasses any school in the area. We chose this Pre-K through Eighth Grade school with the hope that our son builds strong and enduring friendships here. We found a warm, friendly community of families who value education. The curriculum is challenging. Midway through kindergarten, kids begin work that in most schools is covered in First Grade. Thereafter, the curriculum is accelerated by one full grade level. After completing Eighth Grade here, kids have mastered Ninth Grade work, and capably enter high quality high schools. Advanced does not mean dull! The curriculum is rich, including Art, Spanish, and Music. Science here means that even Kindergarten students actively participate in annual science fairs! The school year has been expanded so that topics can be covered more extensively, and classes are small enough that instruction can be individualized. The country-like setting lends itself to nature walks and lots of exploration. Even the quaint building arrangement adds interest. The owners have invested in many upgrades ranging from the pool and building improvements to technology labs. The teachers are enthusiastic and well-prepared. On my first visit there the energy was almost palpable. There are so many positives here. Extended care is included in tuition. Hot meals are available (and include organic and vegetarian selections). Finally, tuition is really reasonable, especially for a non-religious school. Scholarships are available. This school is certainly worth a look for any family who is really committed to education. read more

Hilldale is a great school if you are looking for a small community where your child can grow. Our son is now in the Kindergarten Class and has learned a lot. His current teacher seems very dedicated and definitely focuses on both their strengths and weaknesses. Best part is that the teachers as well as the rest of the staff including receptionist and principal are involved in the children's growth. Because of it is a small community all the kids know each other and learn from each other. Even the after school staff is very involved with the kids. I would recommend Hilldale if you are looking for small classes and definite one on one interaction. read more

If you are looking for a solid education in a safe environment for your children, you should really check out Hilldale School. We started our son in a public school in San Mateo and were mortified by the lack of focus on education and safety. We went searching for a school in the middle of the school year when a friend suggested Hilldale. That was 4 years ago and we couldn't be more pleased. Hilldale offers a very strong and diverse curriculum that challenges the kids yet tailors the program to their individual needs. The school community is very warm and down to earth. Everyone is there because education is their #1 priority. Check it out. read more

My daughter has been going to Hilldale since Kindergarten and is now about to finish 6th grade. She wouldn't go anywhere else. Sure, the advanced curriculum is a lot of work at times but she see's the benefit of getting a solid, well balanced education. She loves her teachers and likes the small class size. Any academic difficulties are quickly recognized and can be addressed because of this. Hilldale is a tight knit community. We have several fund raisers during the year that are very well attended and all the proceeds benifit the children. It's also a no nonsence school. Inappropriate behavior is not tolerated. I feel very good that my child is getting a solid education and growing up to be a good citizen. read more

After months of reading reviews and investigating schools, we are blown away to have found such an amazing school. Having gone to a private catholic school, myself, this school goes above and beyond anything I could ever ask from a school. They teach environmental awareness, independent lifelong learning, critical thinking, and bring out so much more than I ever thought my own children were capable of. The staff members are second to none, totally involved in every aspect of your children's development. They use IXL, an on-line math program. It alows you to monitor your child's progress, see time spent during the year, and it has fun rewards that the children earn along the way to keep them excited about learning! They also use an on-line program to send out medical alerts, good behavior alerts, ilness exposures, and any other reelevant info. This school is everything we could ever want in a school and I look forward to many more years of learning. read more