The Harvey School

I have two kids in the Harvey Middle School. We brought them to Harvey because our kids were getting lost in the public system. They were too smart to get extra help from the public schools but needed more educational support to reach the excellence status. Harvey has delivered excellence in this regard - both are enjoying school again, are making honor roll and are regaining their confidence to succeed at a high level. The teachers take the time, are skilled in educating and communicate constantly with the parents by phone and email. My kids actually prepared and followed a study schedule for the week before exams! This was not happening before we sent them to Harvey. Additionally, both kids are individuals in their own way - they didn't fit the traditional "popular" mode and public school was making them fee insecure about this - at Harvey, differences are truly embraced and valued with both kids coming through adolescence with their self-esteem intact. The culture and support at Harvey is exceptional - our kids are happy, kind, well-adjusted and well educated - exactly what we were looking for their middle school experience to be.
--Submitted by a parent

Harvey is an exceptional school. Great teachers and caring staff. Superior eductation and athletic opportunities.
--Submitted by a parent

Do you want your kid to be inspired? Do you want your kid to love to learn? Do you want your kid to have teachers who know him/her? Do you want your kid to like things you never thought he/she would like opera, Latin and poetry? Do you want a kid who loves to go to school everyday? Do you want a school that challenges your kid and provides a logical, well-rounded and well-executed curriculum? Do you want to be a person and not a number? Then, look no further than Harvey. From a parent who put their 2nd child in Harvey after a disappointmenting experience with a bright John Jay student (ie: 30 kids in a class, eating lunch on the floor, having no practice because there were no fields, teachers that don't know students' names, teachers that can't teach - just to name a few items...)
--Submitted by a parent

Funny thing about reading these negative reviews - we could not find anyone with actual experience with the school say anything but good things about it - including Administrators at other schools who have their kids here. We have been exceptionally pleased with our experience with the school. The teachers and administrators not only 'talked the talk', but 'walked the walk' as well.
--Submitted by a parent

This was a solid school years ago. Unfortunately, it has lost its way. The lack of clarity of mission has led to a lack of support for teachers, and ultimately a bad experience for students. Can your child get the necessary grades required to get into the college you desire for them? Yes, just demand it, if that is all you seek. Will your child get the type of education required to thrive in that college once admitted? This is a big 'maybe', and depends upon whether your child is lucky enough to interact with the small number of great teachers who will succeed in any environment, even one that is as fractured as this one. But hurry, because the great ones are unlikely to stay here long. If they are forced to stay for economic reasons, the greatness will be beaten out of them, if not they will leave soon.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't understand the bad reviews for this school. My son attended a couple other private schools with little success. We found Harvey and he thrived. He is now attending Columbia University, which would not have been possible without The Harvey School.
--Submitted by a parent

The Harvey School is a wonderful, small and caring school that offers students the opportunities to utilize their strengths and reach their potential in a warm, supported environment.
--Submitted by a teacher

I go here and I don't know why there are so many bad reviews. Public school was a horrible experience for me and I don't know how I would have ever gotten into college if it weren't for Harvey. Lighten up, this school helped me reach my potential and they really understood me. It's also fun.
--Submitted by a student

I don't know how the other reviewers managed to get such a negative impression of Harvey - I went to school here and I loved it! The teachers at Harvey clearly care about their students, and it reflects in how they teach. Most of the classes are only eight students, and the small size allows students to seriously immerse themselves in the subject. It also allows the teachers more one-on-one time with their students, to assess their learning styles and make sure they reach their potential. The Harvey School college advisors want to make sure that their students are going to a college they will like and be able to flourish at, rather than going to an Ivy League school just because it's 'better.' Students from The Harvey School are currently attending Cornell U, Boston U, Oberlin, Columbia, Barnard, Bennington, Elon U, Villa Nova, and UNC at Chapel Hill, among others.
--Submitted by a student

This is a high school of missed opportunity and a huge disappointment! It has a beautiful campus, small class size, and offers sports and arts but is unable to achieve what they claim in educational and philosophic goals. They accept many children with learning differences but are unable to cope with the educational and emotional needs of this population. The administration lacks a fundamental will to provide consistent structure and discipline. The result is a general lack of respect of the teachers for students and students for teachers. Teachers are not properly trained and often not mature. The administration does not respond to parental concerns so that families are forced to withdraw their children.
--Submitted by a parent