ABOUT US

Hollow Hills Elementary School: A Fundamental School is a special place. Our school is one of two fundamental schools established in 1982 in Simi Valley. Critical components of the fundamental school program include:

• Rigorous development of each student’s academic skills.
• Structured consistent learning environment.
• Warm, caring atmosphere.
• Emphasis on traditional American Values
• Parent volunteering

Student, parent, and faculty expectations are clearly defined and reviewed by the School Site Council to ensure continuing excellence. A strong PTA and dedicated parent volunteers enrich the curriculum with programs such as Chromebooks for all students, a STEAM lab with a dedicated STEAM docent, as well as physical education, library, music, ceramics and art programs. Volunteering is not required but encouraged and appreciated.

Hollow Hills Fundamental School is a great place to learn!

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: There is a limitation as to how many students may attend a fundamental school due to campus size. Therefore, admission into a fundamental school is determined by lottery at the kindergarten level. Waiting lists exist for Grades 1 through 6. If you are interested in having your child attend a Hollow Hills Elementary School, please contact the school’s office staff for further information on the lottery and waiting list process.

We have waiting lists for all grades except 6^th. We usually have openings for 6^th graders. The application can be picked up at our office between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The enrollment/lottery process closes the first day of school and all students wanting to enroll at Hollow Hills after the first day of school will be put on the waiting list for the next year. 

WHAT IS A “FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL”?

A fundamental school in the Simi Valley Unified School District is an elementary school (grades Kindergarten to 6th) whose purpose is to provide a traditional, standards-based education for its students. The emphasis is to provide a rigorous academic program and to develop individual responsibility and independence in each student. There are two fundamental schools in the SVUSD district, Hollow Hills Elementary School and Vista Elementary School.

IS THE CURRICULUM CONTENT AND/OR MATERIAL DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT?

Both fundamental schools teach the state and district content standards and use the basic texts designated by the school district. Instruction is for mastery of content and concepts.

HOW ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOLS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS?

Fundamental schools provide equal access for all students of the SVUSD without consideration of the neighborhood where a child lives. Parents choose to have their children at the fundamental schools and agree to support the goals, philosophies and student and parent expectations. Staff members choose to work at the fundamental schools and have been selected to do so. This results in an atmosphere of support and commitment.

There is a firm requirement that students complete all classwork and homework. This includes make-up work when a student has been absent and “fix and finish” assignments to correct errors. Accuracy is stressed as an important factor in learning.

Another focus of the fundamental schools is consistent two-way communication between school and home. Teachers give frequent progress reports, comments on papers and notes to parents.  

Families are urged to consider these factors when determining if the fundamental school program is a good choice for their family.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE AN “A” STUDENT?

No! A child will be successful if he or she is close to average in most areas and is willing to be responsible and work diligently. The kind of student who succeeds at fundamental schools is one who can work independently, is focused on school and can handle a large volume of paperwork.

HOW MANY HOURS DO I HAVE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE SCHOOL?

There is no requirement for volunteer time at the fundamental schools. However, there are many parent volunteers who together contribute thousands of hours of service each year. Opportunities to volunteer will vary from teacher to teacher.

There is a requirement that parents support the goals and expectations of the fundamental school and support the teacher in working with a student. Parents are required to review student work, sign tests, sign assignment sheets and help teach children proper work habits and attitudes. Parents are also expected to attend Back-to-School night, Parent/teacher conferences, Spring Open House, and other conferences as requested by the teacher.

IS THERE DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION TO THE FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL?

No. There is no district transportation provided to the fundamental schools.

HOW IS IT DETERMINED WHO ATTENDS VISTA FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL AND WHO ATTENDS HOLLOW HILLS FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL?

Parents choose which school to apply to, based on convenience and personal choice. Parents of Kindergarten children may participate in only ONE LOTTERY. Applicants may only be on ONE WAITING LIST.

WHY AREN’T ALL SCHOOLS FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOLS?

The fundamental school program is NOT the only path to educational excellence. Students can and do excel at all of our district elementary schools. The fundamental school requires an on-going commitment to school and learning from students and parents. Some parents find that the daily commute to and from the school is not reasonably possible for the family.

WHAT OBLIGATION DO I HAVE IF I PUT MY CHILD’S NAME ON THE WAITING LIST?

There is no obligation for being on the waiting list. During the month of January an update letter is mailed to names on the waiting list. This includes a postcard to be returned indicating your intention to remain on the list or be removed. Openings are filled only during the months of June and August. If you choose NOT to accept the opening your child’s name will be removed from the waiting list.

 HOW AM I CONTACTED?

All applicants on the waiting list will receive a letter with a postcard during the month of January. Return the postcard by February 15 to remain on the waiting list. If the postcard is not returned, your child will be removed. It is the parent’s obligation to update the office of any changes to address and/or telephone numbers from the original application. The fundamental schools will be unable to contact you if information is no longer current.