The Harbor School

Harbor provides an incredibly nurturing environment that takes the discipline of early childhood education seriously. This is not a warehouse for little kids, occupying their time until they get to the older grades - this is a school that believes early childhood education not only is a building block, but central and critical to the child's overall development and future educational achievement. There is also an increasing body of work that suggests that you really don't know how a child will learn, and what sort of scholastic environment suits them until they are 7 or so. Since I ascribe to that line of thought, observing our child in the early years and making an educated choice about future schooling after the second grade makes sense. Finally - Harbor's reputation is stellar, so placement after 2nd has proven to be as painless as it can be. I can't say enough about this place.
--Submitted by a parent

I am sorry about the experience posted by the Sept. 22 review. Our experience with Harbor School, however, has been truly wonderful. The school has embraced and loved our special needs son and has done such incredible work with him that he no longer needs one-on-one assistance at the school. The director is a brilliant and amazing leader, and has successfully promoted inclusion and communication to ensure all of our children's successes at the school. We cannot say enough positive things about the school (for all of our kids), and only wish it continued through high school.
--Submitted by a parent

I also am very sorry for the feelings from the parents posting of 9/22. Our daughter has only been at Harbor for a month and I cannot say enough about the INCREDIBLE way that leadership, faculty and students EMBRACE, not tolerate (as with many other school), children with special needs: it is very much part of the fabric and culture of the school and, honestly, it will produce imply better kids, complete with empathy, tolerance, compassion, and understanding - things that seem to be in somewhat short supply out there these days. An experience to illustrate the amazing culture and the effect is has on the kids: 6yo special girl child as a breakdown in class and needs to leave the classroom - comes back 5 minutes later and apologizes to her classmates - unsolicited by teachers or anyone, the rest of the class gives her a standing ovation and then runs over to hug her! I feel this is one of those paradigm-shifting stories that needs no further explanation and illustrates the power of what Dr Wise and her staff are doing with the inclusive model at Harbor. If the school is a good fit for your child, there is no better place to be regardless of your child's situation.
--Submitted by a parent

This school espouses inclusiveness, diversity and child-focused learning, and yet is unwilling and ill-equipped to accommodate children who need any extra special needs. Spent many hours exploring the school and being led to believe that our child's needs were not an issue, only to be declined later. We were welcomed with open arms at another fabulous school and are ultimately pleased that things worked out as they have, but don't lead people on (it's a waste of everyone's time)!
--Submitted by a parent

The Harbor School is caring, supportive and joyful place for children. We have been thrilled with excellent teachers, supportive environment, and caring parent community. The new head of school is creating a wonderful place for early childhood education.
--Submitted by a parent