The Seven Hills School

Meet: Sawyer Austin, 5th Grade Lead Teacher

Where are you from, and what were you doing before coming to Seven Hills?
I am originally from New Jersey and taught there for 11 years. Most recently, I have been teaching 1st grade at The Dorris-Eaton School in San Ramon for the past five years.

Tell us about your family.
I have two wonderful children. Mackenzie (12), who is entering 7th grade, and Chase (7), in 2nd grade. We have many pets. Mia (the sweetest Pittbull mix dog), three cats (Pumpkin, Rosie, and Luna), and two leopard geckos.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
Being surrounded by complete authenticity every single day. I love being able to see the world through children’s eyes.

What are three words students would use to describe you?
Patient, funny, and welcoming.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing?
An engineer. I like solving problems, figuring out how things work, and fixing things that are broken.

What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Be by the water.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I unfortunately have not done a ton of traveling abroad. I would love to explore Europe and experience all of the culture and immense history there.

Meet: Chen Liang, Middle School Math Teacher

Where are you from, and what were you doing before coming to Seven Hills?
I’m originally from China and came to the United States after graduating from high school. Before joining Seven Hills, I spent eight years tutoring math and helping students with college planning, followed by three years teaching middle school math at private schools.

Tell us about your family.
My wife and I have two daughters (6th grade & 3rd grade) and two American Shorthair cats named Silver and Freud.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
Hearing students’ questions. They often help me see a problem from a new angle and challenge me to find clearer and more creative ways to explain it.

What are three words students would use to describe you?
Patient, funny, and "sigma"—in the words of some of my former students :-)

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing?
I could see myself being a farmer—growing vegetables, raising chickens, and enjoying a quieter pace of life.

What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Playing the piano.

What's one thing on your bucket list?
Retire in Hawaii someday.

Summer fun continues at Seven Hills, including last week's Math Connections Camp with Ms. Ritz! ➕🧩 From cracking secret codes to exploring fascinating fractals, students kept their mathematical minds engaged through hands-on challenges and creative projects, including geometric string art, mandalas, symmetrical paper airplanes, and tessellation tote bags. The week concluded with a Math Museum, where students proudly shared their learning, creativity, and excitement with parents and caregivers.

Meet: Rebecca Blythe, Director of ECE

Where are you from, and what were you doing before coming to Seven Hills?
I was born and raised in Minnesota—a farm girl with big city dreams. Those dreams took me to NYU for graduate school, where I fell in love with Brooklyn, made it my home, started my family, and began my teaching career at Brooklyn Friends School. In 2013, my family relocated to the East Bay, and we’ve been happily in Albany ever since. Most recently, I was the Early Childhood Division Head at The Berkeley School, and I’m thrilled for this next chapter at Seven Hills!

Tell us about your family.
My husband Rolph and I have three wonderful teenagers—correction, two teenagers and a (gulp!) 20-year-old. My youngest daughter will be a sophomore, my son a high school senior, and my oldest daughter a junior at UCLA. We’re also ruled by our fluffy white dog, Fritz.

What’s your favorite thing about your role?
I love taking good care of people! With children, that means noticing what sparks excitement and creating opportunities for them to dive right in. As a leader, it means understanding what parents and teachers need to thrive so they can keep showing up with energy and joy for the children in their care.

What are three words students would use to describe you?
Since 3- and 4-year-olds keep it simple: kind, sparkly (I like to wear sparkly pins), and helpful.

If you weren’t an administrator, what would you be doing?
I love to pretend that I am a professional garden coach/therapist. Talk to me about your garden!

What’s an interesting fact about you?
I’m a major plant nerd. I have more than 40 houseplants and countless outdoor plants in my garden. I love a botanical rehab project and have never met a plant I did not want to try to save from the brink of death.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The ability to duplicate myself under one shared consciousness. I would have an indoor me who would tackle home projects and bake sourdough; an outdoor me would spend all day in the garden; I would have a work me, an outdoor adventure me, a super mom me...Alas, I am just one person with a lot of big ideas and goals. :)

We’re thrilled to share that Seven Hills has been named a winner in Diablo magazine’s 2026 Best of the East Bay in the K–8 Private School category! 🎉

We’re honored to be recognized among the people, places, and businesses that make the East Bay such a special community. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, and to for this wonderful recognition. Most of all, thank you to our students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni—the reason our school is such a joyful place to learn and grow.

At the final Lower School Green & White Assembly of the year—and the last one as Lower School students for our 5th graders—our oldest students shared words of wisdom with the younger grades. 🎤

From embracing challenges and working hard to being kind and including others, their reflections offered a glimpse into the lessons they've learned during their time in Lower School. Swipe through to read their advice for next year's students.

A few more moments from a Graduation Day we won't soon forget!

We are grateful for the many ways these students have shaped our community and excited to see all that lies ahead for them. Congratulations, Class of 2026—we'll be cheering you on every step of the way. 🎓

Happy last day of school, Seven Hills! 🎉

This morning, we gathered as one community for our Farewell & Promotions Assembly. From Double Rainbow, Rainbow, and Red Barn students sharing parting gifts with their big buddies to celebrating our promoted Kindergarten-8th grade students, the morning was filled with reflection and pride.

We also honored our Super 7s who have spent seven (or multiples of seven!) magical years at Seven Hills, recognized student achievements, applauded inspiring speeches and performances, presented Middle School awards, and said heartfelt farewells to departing faculty and staff members.

What a beautiful way to close another year together. Now, let summer begin! ☀️

Science came to life in Kindergarten this month! 🐣🦋

Earlier in May, our young scientists eagerly awaited the arrival of their new class pets: chicks and butterflies. Along the way, they explored the parts of hens and roosters, observed caterpillars both in the classroom and in their native plant garden, and learned what happens inside incubating eggs. A highlight was candling eggs in the dark shed and spotting movement inside, an unforgettable moment of discovery.

Then came the big moment: the first chicks began hatching in the incubator. Kindergarteners lined up throughout the day to watch the pipping process, listen for tiny chirps, and witness new life emerging before their eyes.

The chick nursery brought weeks full of excitement, stewardship, empathy, and hands-on learning, with families even signing up to “chick-sit” or adopt some of the new arrivals.