Enrollment Information
Current and Returning Families¹: Re-registration/Priority Registration for Fall of the upcoming school year will take place in February. Instructions will be emailed out in early February to all eligible families who are currently attending. Please note: returning families (those who have had children attend previously and would now like to enroll a new sibling) DO NOT need to tour again and may register in February along with currently attending families.
Registration for New Families takes place once annually, in March, for enrollment beginning Fall of that same year. All new students are started in September. We do not enroll new students mid-year (with the exception of those placed on the waitlist during Spring registration, as space becomes available²). For those interested in enrolling in the 2027-2028 school year, our next registration will take place in mid-March 2027 and placement will be decided by lottery. In order to take part in the lottery, you must attend a tour prior to the registration date in March. Once your tour attendance has been confirmed, you will be given access to our online registration, which will be open for one day only, in March (exact date TBD). Tours are offered, by appointment only, in January and February (we recommend scheduling these tours as early as October).
PLEASE NOTE: TOURS FOR THE UPCOMING 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR HAVE CONCLUDED AND NO ADDITIONAL TOURS WILL BE OFFERED.
If you are interested in enrolling in a future program, we ask that you call us beginning in October to schedule a tour for the following Spring registration period. Our tour calendar books up quickly and spaces are limited, so the earlier you call (beginning October 1), the better!
For further information or to schedule an informational tour, please call the Preschool Office, M-Th from 9:00am-4:00 pm at (510) 537-0773 OR send an email (preferred) to inquiries@happinesshill.org. If requesting a tour, please include your name, as well as the name and birth date³ of your child. Attending a tour is required prior to enrolling your child or taking part in the lottery.
¹Returning families – please contact the office prior to February to obtain information about our online registration process and to add your name to the list to receive the priority registration link via email. Registration for continuing students as well as new siblings must be completed by the end of February in order to receive priority registration and secure your spot for the next school year!
² We will continue to add students from the waitlist, as space allows, through January.
³Child’s birth date is required because our tours are age-specific, in order to provide you with the most appropriate age group/classroom information pertaining to your child.
Meals
Children are provided a nutritious morning and afternoon snack. All lunch items are provided by the parent.
Ages
We accept children 2 years through 5 years. Children are grouped according to age (as of September 1) into one of six classes*:
Early 2 years
2 1/2 to 3 years
3 to 3 1/2 years
3 1/2 to 4 years
4 to 4 1/2 years
4 1/2 to 5 years
Children generally transition to a new class each fall when the new school year begins.
*Adjustments to the age range may sometimes occur, as necessary, in order for classrooms to maintain proper numbers and ratios, per state licensing regulations.
Curriculum
Age and developmentally appropriate activities are planned to allow each child to grow at his or her own pace. Indoor and outdoor activities include arts and crafts, science, music and movement, Bible stories, literature, dramatic play, math concepts, alphabet and numeral recognition and prereading skills. Circle time, snack time, and craft time along with free choice and play times allow much individual and group social interaction which are all vital experiences for young children.
Field Trips
A unique benefit that Happiness Hill offers your child is a chance to attend field trips. Classes visit a variety of age-appropriate locations, which offer hands-on learning opportunities in a new environment. Throughout the school year, the children of Happiness Hill embark on an adventure on our school bus. Whether it be a trip to the San Jose Discovery Museum or a local park, your child is in store for a great experience. Parents and grandparents are welcome, as space allows, to sign on as chaperones and join in on the fun!
