Harker was founded in 1893 as a preparatory school that also emphasized character and broad programs. Since then, Harker has continued to promote academic excellence and well-rounded programs, and has created a world-class institution that is now the largest K-12 school in the California Association of Independent Schools. Harker’s preschool opened in 2013 and is a charming place of discovery, exploration and play for the school’s littlest learners.
Academics
Outstanding faculty and small class sizes are paramount at Harker. Teachers are selected for their academic expertise, positive role modeling and passion for teaching.
Harker continually evaluates students’ course placements to best challenge and inspire each student to academic excellence without causing stress. “Harker teaches you to learn. It’s really not about the grades. It’s about the fact that I can read analytically, discuss material with my peers, work through a problem until I solve it, write a cogent paper, and interact with people from all walks of life,” said Alice Loofbourrow, 2011.
Harker also seeks out the best tools to help students learn. For instance, Harker’s Global Education Program, founded in 1993, now involves relationships and projects in 10 countries. Harker’s research curriculum enables students to pursue special topics in science and the humanities through serious, original research, and the new business and entrepreneurship department introduces students to the innovation culture of Silicon Valley and beyond.
While the school focuses on the process of learning, great results are always celebrated, and the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program showed that 65 percent of Harker seniors scored in the top 3 percent of last year’s PSAT test takers nationwide; 32 percent of those students scored in the top 1 percent nationally on the PSAT, which was taken by approximately 1.4 million students.
Broad programs
Students are encouraged to explore and discover their passions outside the classroom. A multidisciplinary program of performance, athletics, art and music are part of the curriculum beginning in kindergarten, and a vibrant after-school program tempts students to try clubs like yoga, Mandarin, cooking or robotics. In all extracurricular programs, emphasis is placed on developing self-confidence, teamwork, dedication and leadership.
Character
Kindness, respect, honesty, integrity and personal accountability have been in the school’s DNA since its founding. Community service, character development curriculum, and the Harker Honor Code all encourage, develop and reinforce these important qualities. John Owen ’85, a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, said, “Harker remains the most significant professional and personal influence on me. Harker provided me with the study skills to succeed in school, and more important, the ethics and values to succeed in life.”
“College admission representatives tell us our students ‘have soul,’ ” said Chris Nikoloff, head of school. “And we couldn’t agree more. They raise funds and awareness for global issues, enthusiastically support each other in celebrating successes and trying new things, and are generous, kind, considerate and thoughtful.” Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Harker guest speaker and author of “Farewell to Manzanar,” said, “The students have a wonderful sense of hope, a positive attitude, an interest in the world and in government and a desire to be of service — admirable in these days of materialism and self-absorption.”
Community
Harker students are passionate, caring citizens of their communities and the world. Harker also brings in visionaries and artists from a wide variety of fields to share their expertise and talents, both with the Harker community and the Bay Area community at large, through the Harker Concert Series, Harker Speaker Series, Harker Parent Education Series, Harker Teacher Institute and the student-generated Harker Research Symposium. It’s a supportive, safe, fun and nurturing place where kids make friends for life with their peers, their teachers and the staff.
From fostering partnerships with schools around the world, to launching a premiere upper school, to opening a state-of-the-art LEED-certified science and technology building, Harker creates the very best learning experience for its students. “Harker helped our family achieve our goal: to raise honest, well-rounded, responsible kids who can take on the world,” said Abha Shukla, parent of ’07 and ’09 graduates. “It takes a village, and Harker is our village.”