Who We Are
Harrisburg Academy is the only preschool through 12th grade, coed, independent school in the greater Harrisburg area. As an educational community that challenges and inspires students from throughout the region, our school adds an exceptional choice to the educational fabric of the midstate. Only fifteen schools throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are certified to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program, with Harrisburg Academy being the first in the Carlisle-Harrisburg-Hershey area to do so.
Our Mission
The Academy offers an academically challenging and globally minded liberal arts education that encourages each student to reach his or her full potential. In our commitment to excellence, we provide tools and teach skills that will prepare students to thrive and succeed in college and in their future endeavors.
Our Commitment
Each student is on a personal journey towards individual learning outcomes. The Academy offers our students an education that will provide them with 21st century skills necessary to thrive and succeed in our global society.
School Hours
Early Childhood and Lower School
8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (HATS through 4th grade)
Middle School and Upper School
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (5th through 12th grade)
Half Day (HATS)
8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (includes hot lunch)
School Spirit
Colors - Blue and Gold; Team Name - Spartans
Our Faculty
Extraordinarily talented in their fields of expertise, our teachers are committed educators who encourage the academic success and well-being of each student. Lifelong learners themselves, our teachers and administrators enhance their own skills through ongoing professional development.
• Fourteen in-service days each school year
• Faculty with advanced degrees: 45%
• Faculty’s average teaching experience: 17 years (10 years tenure at the Academy)
• Faculty (including part-time), support staff and administrators: 111
Student Body
• Enrollment for 2011-12: 400
• 34% of students represent ethnic or international diversity
• 127 international students from 25 countries have studied at the Academy since fall 1989; current international student enrollment is 10 students from three countries in the Upper School
• 28% of students receive need-based financial aid
• Enrolled students represent seven counties and 26 school districts in the midstate; 12 school districts provide daily transportation for our students
• Male/Female Ratio: Approximately 50/50
By the Numbers
• School-wide student-to-teacher ratio: 8:1
• IBcourses: 13
• Arts: Art, chorus, drama, band, and orchestra
• Athletics: 11 competitive sports (including co-op) for Middle and Upper School boys and girls and a co-ed intramural/club sports program in two sports for Lower School students
• 170-175 school days per year, on average
• 24-acre campus one mile west of downtown Harrisburg
Programming Enhancements and Strategic Initiatives (2011-12 and 2012-13)
In line with our Challenge 2013 strategic plan, the current school year includes these initiatives:
• Expansion of IB Diploma courses to include HL Mathematics and consideration of further HL courses
• Consideration of teaching a non-Western language through an after-school program to meet the needs of multi-age students at varying levels of proficiency
• Development of an enrichment-based academically focused summer school program
• One-to-One technology program with integration support for students and faculty
• Continuation of the IB Summer Scholarship opportunity to qualified juniors – more than $50,000 has been awarded in the past two years
College-Bound Graduates
Academy students apply to a variety of colleges and their acceptances reflect a broader range than their destinations. Notable college statistics include:
• In the Class of 2011, student acceptances to 71 different world-wide institutions
• One hundred percent of our seniors reaching their desired level of post-graduate education
• National Merit Scholar and National Achievement Programs: For 10 years, graduating seniors recognized by these prestigious programs based upon their 11th grade PSAT scores
• College Admission Record, past 17 years: 98% to 4-year colleges; 2% to 2-year colleges
• Average SAT: Critical Reading, Math and Writing (as Seniors, past 10 years): 1842
• Average ACT: 26
• Mid-fifties: Class of 2011: Senior Critical Reading = 570-680; Math = 520-640; Writing = 560-680 (note: PA. State Averages: 501 CR, 516 M, 492 W)
• 326 IB certificates issued (including those counted for Diplomas) in the past 3 academic years
Technology
For the 2011-12 academic year, the Academy’s most exciting technology extension is its One-to-One Computing Program for students in 8th through 12th grade. Each 8th grade student is provided with an Academy laptop (to be used at school) while 9th grade students are required to bring their own laptop of choice to school (to be used both in class and at home). Students in all Upper School grades may use their own personal computers if they wish. In addition, we offer the following services to students of all ages:
• Campus-wide high-speed wireless computing
• Two computer labs, eight mobile laptop carts, and interactive SMARTBoards in each classroom
• Windows 7 and MS Office 2010 on all computers and MS Live @ Edu cloud-based services to students wherever they have a computer (including MS Office Live, student email and 25GB of personalized file storage)
• Availability of the Adobe CS3 suite
• NetClassroom as an integrated course management system for students and parents
Governance
The Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of parents of present and former students, alumni, and community and business leaders.
Accreditation
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools; Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; International Baccalaureate Organization
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Academy accepts students without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
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