Beyond Harbor

As our students progress from Preschool through 3rd Grade, The Harbor School’s curriculum increases in rigor, individual responsibility and social awareness.

At each grade level, we work closely and individually with each Harbor family. Every child’s educational journey is unique, and we continuously strive to accommodate the developing needs of our young students. This includes finding the best next fit for our graduates. Whether our students entered Harbor as three year olds or as first graders, they are known and understood by their teachers.

During the second grade year, teachers and parents start thinking and talking about their thoughts for their child’s next step after Harbor. In the spring of the second grade year, parents gather with their teachers, Head of School and Admissions Director. We discuss the admissions and outplacement timeline, required testing, school visits, and how to choose the best school for your Harbor graduate. We often include an educational consultant in this conversation.

At the beginning of the third grade year, we meet with each family and the teachers who have looped with their class and know them so well. We talk about each child’s strengths, learning styles, motivators and passions. We discuss potential schools and which would provide the optimal environment for our graduates. When a family decides to apply to a school, we compile a comprehensive package which includes personal letters of recommendation from teachers and transcripts from the child’s time at Harbor. Our goal is to provide a detailed portrait of the whole child, that illustrates their academic, physical and social emotional development. Harbor teachers and administrators visit area schools and keep an open dialogue with admissions colleagues throughout the admissions process to guide our families and advocate for each child.

We have an enduring reputation as an established feeder school to the best local independent and public schools. Over the past five years, Harbor students have been accepted into the following independent schools:

  • The Bullis School
  • Georgetown Day School
  • Green Acres School
  • Holton-Arms School
  • The Lab School of Washington
  • Landon School
  • Lowell School
  • McLean School
  • Norwood School
  • Sandy Spring Friends School
  • Sidwell Friends School
  • St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
  • St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School
  • Washington Episcopal School
  • The Woods Academy
 
By the time my son graduated from 2nd grade, his teachers knew him so well! They helped us narrow down the school choices, guiding us in the right direction as early as the end of 1st grade. He is now happily at a school we would never have considered had we left Harbor before he was ready for this independence."
- Parent of Graduate, 2016
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Harbor School