Upper School Blast Jan 23, 2026

10th Grade Family College Counseling Conversation — Monday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., Zoom

In our experience, parents and guardians of 10th graders often have many questions about the months and years ahead. To make sure we address your questions and concerns, this meeting will primarily be an open discussion.

We will begin with a few updates from the world of college admission and share guidance for the months ahead. From there, the floor will be open for questions and topics you would like to discuss. Common areas of interest for 10th grade families include testing timelines, when and how to begin a college search, summer plans and programs, course scheduling and choices, grades versus rigor, and the cost of higher education.

Because the college admission landscape continues to evolve, we encourage all parents and guardians to join us for this conversation. A link to the meeting is available on the Class of 2028 Canvas group. A recording of the meeting will be posted on Canvas.

Last Day to Purchase your Books for Lunch ticket is Jan. 28!

Winter Formal — Feb. 7

Greetings from the Seven Hills Student Government.

We are excited to announce that the Winter Formal Dance will take place on Feb. 7 from 8-11 p.m. at The Palomar in Walnut Hills (2622 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206). There is parking on site, but we encourage carpooling and parent drop off/pick ups to help alleviate a parking crunch. 

Tickets for the Winter Formal are $30; however, students may take advantage of a $5 early discount if tickets are purchased up until one week before the dance. Stay tuned for additional details regarding ticket purchasing and payment.

Our Student Government has worked diligently to create a truly special experience, and we are thrilled to offer students an off-campus Winter Formal for the first time ever. The Palomar is a stunning venue featuring a beautifully restored 1884 Gothic-style church, providing an atmosphere unlike any previous school event. The evening will also include catered snacks and beverages, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

We strongly encourage families to support this event by helping us sell as many tickets as possible — even if your child does not typically attend school dances. Your support makes a meaningful difference and greatly contributes to the success of student programming.

We look forward to welcoming students to an extraordinary evening at Winter Formal and hope to see many familiar faces there.

Reminder: Personal Technology Policy

As a reminder, Upper School students are prohibited from using cellphones and other personal technology during the school day so they can stay focused on academics and community life. This includes smart watches and smart glasses.

When possible, students should leave these devices at home. If they do bring them to school, they need to turn them in to their advisor. Seniors with senior privileges may keep their phones on their person during the day, but not other smart devices. Please contact Dan Polifka with questions.

Free Practice ACT Opportunity with Thirty-Six Education

Thirty-Six Education will host a free practice ACT at the Upper School on Saturday, Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m. Interested sophomores and juniors can sign up for the test online. This test will be administered using standard time constraints (i.e., no accommodations), with or without science, depending on individual student preference, and students will receive a detailed score report to guide further study. Space is limited; available seats will be assigned in order of students’ registrations. Please contact support@36education.com with any questions about this opportunity or your student’s registration.

Save The Date: Coffee With A College Counselor — Tuesday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m., Zoom

Parents and guardians from all grade levels are invited to join college counselors for a casual conversation about looking ahead to summer. After our opening remarks, the floor is yours to ask questions and discuss current topics in college admissions. A link to the meeting will be posted to all College Counseling Canvas groups. The meeting will be recorded for those unable to attend.

Global Ed Day Volunteer Presenters Needed … Middle School Needs Your Help!

On Friday, March 6, Middle School will celebrate our 17th Annual Global Education Day and we could use your help! As part of our morning activities, students will attend small group sessions. We are looking for members of the Seven Hills community (and beyond) to conduct these sessions. Students will attend three 40-minute sessions during the morning, between 10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 

In the past, sessions have included topics such as travel, cuisine, or other elements of culture from around the world, conducting business in a global world, technological advances and their impact on the world, science and conservation, etc. The ideas are limitless! Facilities could be available to prepare foods. The number of students in a session can be limited if necessary due to space or recommendations from the presenter.  

If you are interested in being a presenter or know someone who you think would be a good fit for this day, please contact Jennifer Licata by no later than Friday, Feb. 13.

LEAD Together Sessions for Second Semester

Spring Music Showcase — March 7

The Upper School music department is excited to present its first Spring Music Showcase, open to all Upper School musicians. The event will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. in The Schiff Center. The goal of this showcase is to provide an opportunity for students to come together and celebrate their musical achievements with the community. Students who wish to participate will need to audition for Mrs. Kuhlman or Mr. Rising during the last week of February. Musicians of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate — no matter your level of experience. Stay tuned for more details!

Senior Diplomas — Name Preference

Senior parents, please know your students have received an email regarding the name they would like printed on their diploma. It is very important that students put their information into the 2026 Seniors Diploma Name document by March 1. A calligrapher does each diploma by hand and needs time to complete them all. Please note that if your student does NOT enter their desired name by the deadline, their first and last name in the system will be used. Please contact the Upper Office with questions.

Senior Showcase Photo — Due April 30

We would love to showcase each senior’s achievements and post grad plans by displaying a senior photo of them in our showcase located outside of the Upper office. Along with their photo we will display their chosen college.

Below are the guidelines we would like you to follow regarding the photo:

• 4×6
• Vertical
• Black & White OR color
• MUST be printed (we do not have the ability to print in house)

We would like to have these photos displayed before graduation to ensure your students are able to see the showcase and enjoy this traditional moment. The due date for this is April 30. Your students may bring this photo to Mrs. Minton in the Upper office.

We appreciate your assistance and attention to this. If you have any questions, please contact upper.office@7hills.org.

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