Pursuits

Beyond the classroom

The Hilltop is thriving throughout the week as well as on weekends with students fully engaged in academic and extracurricular life. Our student-centered approach means that students determine what they are passionate about, how they’d like to grow, and the ways in which they want to invest their time.

STEM Activity

STEM Activity is open to all students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through experiential projects. As a team, students work together to solve a problem or answer a question related to STEM by using the scientific method or engineering processes. Projects are guided by the interests of the instructors and students, with some examples including developing an IoT network, designing and building an underwater ROV, exploring biotechnology, and making use of the KUA campus for environmental research.

KUA Fire Brigade

The Kimball Union Fire Brigade is the only program of its kind in the United States. It is comprised of students and two faculty advisors who serve as active members of the Meriden Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout the year, students undergo extensive firefighting training to respond to emergency fire and rescue calls.

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Pigs cared for by the Farm Team

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Gallons of maple syrup produced using KUA’s syrup evaporator Farm Team

The KUA Farm Team practices sustainable agriculture on campus. Students raise hogs and chickens, construct animal housing, tend a hydroponics greenhouse, and raise seasonal field crops. The Pork Project is our flagship program. Food waste from the dining hall is fed to pigs, offsetting up to 15 tons of CO2 emissions annually and generating a positive cash flow for the club. Farm Team data are incorporated into the science curriculum, and the team’s work helps raise community awareness about sustainable food production.

Pursuits

Outing Club

The KUA Outing Club is an afternoon activity that creates opportunities for students to explore and enjoy the outdoors through on- and off-campus adventures at all levels. Canoeing on the Connecticut River, overnight trips, hikes, and backyard explorations are a few of the many events the club undertakes each year.

Potato Patch

An extensive network, including the campus “Potato Patch,” offers maintained and groomed trails on approximately 50 acres suitable for biking, nordic skiing, running, and walking. The trails are used by KUA’s Mountain Biking and Cross-Country teams and connect directly to the main Pope Fields athletic complex.

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Students participating in the Winter Musical

Our visual arts program offers a rich selection of both trimester and yearlong visual art courses and a vibrant afterschool program. Learning from teachers who are also working artists, you will explore a variety of media as you learn the important technical skills of the different disciplines. Our hands-on studio classes will help you find and develop the creative voice that will give expression to your ideas, feelings, and experiences.

Performing Arts

Performers of all abilities are encouraged to participate. Our unique Ensemble Period is a dedicated “sacred space” in the daily schedule free of conflict with other school activities that guarantees all students full access to music and dance ensembles.

Athletics

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Students earning at least one varsity letter each year

KUA provides excellent athletic facilities for the entire community. Nestled in the heart of the Upper Valley, our campus is the ideal training and recreation center for athletes of nearly any discipline and at all levels.