Harrisburg Academy

The students, teachers & staff embraced our family when our child began 5th grade at the Academy in 2011. It was the smoothest & warmest transition we've ever experienced at any school, at any grade - & we're military, so we've had many transitions! We are thrilled with the Science class - complete with a real lab that most kids won't experience until high school - & the Bill Nye-Science-Guy sort of hands-on enthusiasm Mrs. S. brings to the classroom & engenders in the students...so much so, our child signed up for the after school science club (free) to do more experiments! Art class is seriously wonderful (complete with a NYC fieldtrip to the Met!) . The 6th grade Ancient History class feeds my child's craving for all things Egyptian & archeological - just like her 5th grade Geography class fed her interest in studying foreign countries. We love the foreign languages - esp. Latin beginning in 7th grade - & after school sports options (our child swam last yr. & will do the tennis program this yr.) & small class size. The diversity of the student body plus the school's emphasis on technology & a 21st c. curriculum makes it perfect for my 21st c., citizen of the world student!
—Submitted by a parent

Great Academics that push the kid and gets them ready for college. The school has great teachers because they can teach how they want, not a strict guidline. Art and Music are strong as well as Gym time. small classes. My son loves the school, unfortuntly a little longer ride for him, but he enjoys it. disruptive kids are removed from school, I love the trouble makers are not asked back.
—Submitted by a parent

What is there NOT to like about Harrisburg Academy? The teachers are excellent, extremely caring, and appreciate the uniqueness of each student. The same can be said for the school's administrators and principals - their commitment to educating the whole child is clear with every decision, every newsletter, and every event. The curriculum is challenging, but not out of any child's reach. With so many schools cutting music, phys ed, and foreign language classes, it's a relief to know that Harrisburg Academy will never let that happen within its campus.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child attended the academy from kindergarten until middle school. She did quite well and the education and guidance she received was top notch. However, she has recently switch to a public school, and there is no real difference in the level of learning, or the amount of one on one instruction with faculty. In fact there are more opportunities both academically and socially at her public school. The Academy is a great school, but not really any different then some of the better public schools in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

We are absolutely thrilled with the year our daughter has had at Harrisburg Academy. She absolutely loves going to school every day and we are amazed with how much she has grown both academically and socially in just one year.
—Submitted by a parent

My son loves going to school! The Harrisburg Academy keeps him challenged and excited about learning. The small class size and the diversity of the students is wonderful. It is a safe environment that encourages learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Sometimes you don't know how good it is until they graduate. My 2 kids worked hard in Upper School and it paid off. They knew how to write papers, and exempted out of English and Foreign Language courses in college. Looking back, they appreciate the hard work they put in, and the close relationships they had with teachers. It can't be duplicated.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very satisfied with the quality of education and the learning environment that Harrisburg Academy provides. Our child has been at Harrisburg Academy since JK. She loves every aspect of the school. She has been exceling in art and music. We're looking forward to many more years of excellence!
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have been at the Academy since HATS. We really have enjoyed watching the teachers and other staff help them to become well rounded children who love to be at school. The small class size allows children and parents to feel like family. It has been a wonderful choice for our family
—Submitted by a parent

My family and I couldn't be happier with the quality of education that Harrisburg Academy provides. This school is dedicated to each individual child, and strives to encourage independent thought and creativity. The entire staff - teachers, administrators, maintenance - work incredibly well together to provide the best school environment possible. We're looking forward to many more years of excellence!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a Middle Schooler at the Harrisburg Academy. We've been a part of the HA community since Kindergarten and we just love it. Small class size is our favorite of many positives ... our child benefits in so many ways by attending the Academy. The nurturing environment has allowed our child to shine and grow. Every child should have this opportunity.
—Submitted by a parent

Our two teenage sons attend Harrisburg Academy's Upper School - we were looking for a school with high academic standards that would challenge our sons while preparing them for college and HA is doing that and so much more! We feel they are part of a true school community here that includes high quality teachers, attentive administrators and respectful fellow students and their families. The school has allowed each of our sons to thrive in his own way and truly engages them in their work in every subject area.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter just started her third year at the Harrisburg Academy. She is absolutely flourishing at this school. The opportunities afforded to her through their technology, arts and sciences are much more plentiful than any other school we have found. The school is grounded in their beliefs and carries out what it promises. We have experienced nothing but the most responsive teachers and administration. We feel blessed to have such a great school in the area where we live!
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter s sixth year as a student as Harrisburg Academy. The level of educational and community support that my family receives from Harrisburg Academy is priceless. From the administrators, counselors, teachers, and fellow students have all welcomed my family to the Harrisburg Academy family. They have not just taught a responsive classroom method, but have modeled it as well. I see how the Academy stays on top of technology, math, science, arts, and teaches foreign languages, too. At Harrisburg Academy, my daughter and her peers are learning to become great leaders in tomorrow s world.
—Submitted by a parent

We are new arrivals to Harrisburg Academy. Our child started first grade this fall (2010) and I'll admit that I had some concerns--not about the school, but about our child's ability to adapt to going from a small Montessori school to a much larger, more structured environment. It seems that the faculty and staff understand this concern because there were numerous pre-attendance opportunities to get to know the school--both for students and exclusively parents. We are so pleased with the structure, quality of learning, overall positive environment, and caring faculty and staff. We are also pleased with the use of technology (check out the "Best of the Web"-nominated site) both for parents and students.
—Submitted by a parent

Harrisburg Academy has provided my children with an exceptional educational experience in the early years when I believe it is most important to lay the foundation for the many years of learning to come. The environment is incredibly nurturing, the teachers are enthusiastic about their role in the children s lives, and the class size makes for an ideal atmosphere in which to learn. I am consistently amazed at the work my children bring home from school and the level of thought and analysis they demonstrate, which are true testaments to the teaching methods at the Academy. My older son (who has been at the Academy for 5 years) tells me that his first day at the Harrisburg Academy was the best day of his life! As a parent, that is a wonderful endorsement regarding our decision to enroll our children at the Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

Harrisburg Academy is certainly not all it is hyped up to be. You pay for individual attention, and top-notch academics when in reality there is not. I found a much better education at a public school for my child, CV in fact. They are doing much better there, because at HA you simply can not get your child into more challenging courses, where at public school you can. I was very dissapointed with Harrisburg Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

We are the proud parents of an Upper School student. Our son entered Harrisburg Academy in 9th Grade. We were thrilled to have him in an environment known for academic excellence with a focus on the whole child. Our son has prospered at the Academy. When he attends college, he will have been prepared to meet that challenge. Not only is he being academically prepared, but he has participated in sports and other activities that have greatly enriched his experiences. We wanted our son to be challenged and engaged; and to enjoy his precious high school years. HA has welcomed our son as the unique person that he is. We are proud we chose the Academy where he can spend each day with such wonderful teachers, good friends, and caring staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My wife and I are both committed to the education of our children. Consequently, several years ago, we decided to locate a school to nurture their intellectual and social development. We selected Harrisburg Academy over many other schools. To say the least, the Academy has delivered for our children! As such, we continue to make the financial sacrifice to send our children to the Academy because it continues to meet their needs at every stage of their development. Even so, we could not meet the financial commitment without the generous financial aid program.
—Submitted by a parent

I am sorry to say that our experience with Harrisburg Academy does not jive with the views expressed by the previous commenter(s). As parents whose only affiliation with the school is that our children recently attended, I can tell you that our experience was quite different. We did not see the personal attention or individualized instruction that has been mentioned. In fact, we saw just the opposite. Instruction was homogeneous and geared to the middle. Academics were not really challenging. Yes, there was lots of homework assigned, but it was mostly busy work. The only real advantage to sending your child to Harrisburg Academy versus a good public school is that the expectation of higher education is assumed for all children who attend. But if you as parents have already set that expectation, why pay the high price for Harrisburg Academy?
—Submitted by a parent