Student Support
At Harrisburg Academy, we know that the best educational environment is one in which individuals feel safe – socially, emotionally, and physically. For this reason, we are committed to supporting all of our students and ensuring each student has a safe environment in which to learn.  Harrisburg Academy stresses a team approach to supporting our students.

In the Lower School, the teacher is primarily responsible for both the academic and social needs of students. The teacher, using the Responsive Classroom® model, as well as the services of available counselors, fosters social-emotional development by integrating social skills acquisition throughout the curriculum and by providing appropriate time during the class day to address issues that may arise.

In the Middle and Upper schools, the teacher is the first point of contact with a parent when an issue arises within an individual classroom setting. In addition, all Middle and Upper School students are assigned to faculty who serve as both mentors and advocates as they monitor and guide students’ overall educational experience at the Academy.

Middle School teachers use the strategies of Developmental Designs, a teaching philosophy that stresses social and cooperative learning skills, to address the unique social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of young adolescents. Upper School students meet with their faculty advisors once per seven-day cycle.

Academic Support
We recognize that our expectations can be especially challenging for students entering, and in some instances, progressing through our academic program. For this reason, we offer academic assistance to students.  Teachers, advisors, division heads, parents, and the learning support staff work as a team to develop and implement these strategies. 

Our learning support staff director coordinates the services provided to the Academy by the Capitol Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU). The CAIU provides student support to those who qualify according to Pennsylvania Act 89.  These services can include remedial reading and speech therapy for our students enrolled in Kindergarten and 1st through 12th grade.

Emotional Support
Our School Counselor is the primary coordinator of the social and emotional support services provided by the Academy.  Students may seek assistance (self-referral) or be referred to the school counselor by a peer, a parent, or a faculty member.