Research indicates that there is generally a positive correlation between homework and academic achievement. There also seems to be an optimal amount of homework, with both too little and too much having less of an impact.

At Presidio Hill School, we attempt to come as close to that optimal amount as possible. If done properly, homework can be an important part of the learning experience. It expands the learning environment and extends learning time. It creates habits of self-discipline and organization while teaching independence and responsibility. It allows those students who require more time to complete their work and gives them an opportunity to do their best. It gives students a chance to apply, practice and extend skills learned in class. Homework also offers parents a window into their child’s studies at school and how well he or she has mastered the assigned material.   

Homework Guidelines

• In general, as children become older and more mature, they receive more homework.
• Assignments should be clear to the student. This is the responsibility of both the teacher and the student.
• Assignments should relate meaningfully to classroom work.
• Assignments should be appropriate to a child’s ability.
• Most homework is for the individual child and some may involve other family members.
• No two students work at the same speed. Times given below are approximations. 
• How well a child uses classroom time and study halls also determines how much homework actually comes home. 
• Lower School children in Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten will have no homework and those in the intermediate grades should rarely have more than one hour per night. The sweet spot for Middle School children seems to be somewhere between 7 to 12 hours per week. 
• If your child is regularly taking more time than this to complete his or her assignments, please contact the homeroom teacher or advisor.
• No assignment given on a Friday will be due on the following Monday. Friday assignments are due on Tuesday at the earliest. Some children, especially those with busy afternoon schedules, will prefer to do a significant amount of work on weekends. Others, who like their weekends more free, will choose to work more during the school week. Either strategy is fine as long as deadlines are met.
• Students attending the After School Neighborhood program will have the opportunity to do some of their homework while still here at school.
• Fourth through Eighth grade students should be writing their homework assignments in their planners daily. 
• As a back up for both students and parents, all assignments will be posted by teachers in the Family section of the website, and accessed by clicking on the Class Pages, then Homework.
• Extensions are sometimes granted for the completion of homework if there is a valid reason for the extension. Requests for an extension should be made in writing three days in advance of the due date.
• Absences due to illness may be a cause for extending the homework deadline. A general rule of thumb is that a day of extension will be granted for every day of school missed.