History

The HillSprings Learning Center, now HillSprings Academy, was founded by a group of concerned families, educators, and health care professionals who were grappling with the problem of inadequate resources for the many Pikes Peak region's children with learning differences who were not getting the support they needed in the regular school environment. 

One of those founders, Janis Hannifin, had discovered The Hill Center in Durham, North Carolina and had made the dramatic step of moving there to get her son the assistance he so desperately needed (www.HillCenter.org). Motivated by the success Janis's son enjoyed at The Hill Center and the enthusiastic support of numerous volunteers and educators in the Colorado Springs area, The HillSprings Learning Center was established to bring The Hill Center model to the Pikes Peak region. The facility opened in the fall of 2004.  In 2014, the name was changed to HillSprings Academy to reflect the specialized programming we provide, to highlight the training and certification required of our teaching staff, and to decrease confusion with other learning and child care centers.​

Since the school began, several components have been added. We currently offer a Morning Program, Mid-Day Program, After-School Program, Summer School Program, professional development workshops for teachers, and community outreach programs.

Methodology

As an affiliate of The Hill Center in Durham, NC, HillSprings Academy follows an instructional philosophy based on the methods of Orton-Gillingham. 

In reading and written language, students are taught the structure of the language.  In all three academic areas (reading, writing, and math), instructors utilize a specific sequence of skills and incorporate precision teaching techniques that include charting and graphing student progress.  Using placement assessments developed at The Hill Center, an individualized instructional plan is created for each student.  Progress is continually monitored as students work toward mastery of skills.