Once Harrisburg Academy’s Admission Office has helped interested families learn about our school and meet various members of our community, we then work with prospective parents to gather information for student applicants so that the Academy can make educationally appropriate admission decisions. Families normally begin Harrisburg Academy’s application process during the fall or winter months prior to their intended date of enrollment. Almost all Academy students begin their enrollment on the first day of the academic year.
Every year, Harrisburg Academy enrolls new students at almost every grade level. The largest numbers of new students enter the Academy through our Early Childhood Program, as well as grades one and nine. International students often represent a large group of new students to our Upper School. Harrisburg Academy maintains wait-pools in grades for which there are more qualified applicants than available openings. Students are offered positions in the wait-pool during first round admission decisions if they are acceptable candidates and no space exists for them. Harrisburg Academy seeks and admits students without discrimination regarding their ancestry, color, creed, national origin, race or gender.
Please submit all admission-related documents and fees to Harrisburg Academy, Office of Admission, 10 Erford Road, Wormleysburg, Pa., 17043. Letters of recommendations and school records should be provided directly to Harrisburg Academy by the current teacher or school in a confidential manner.
Please contact the Office of Admission to obtain an application for admission or to learn more about the admission process.
How to Apply
Harrisburg Academy accepts students without regard to race, religion, sex or national origin. The forms you will need are in the "blue box" to the right and can be downloaded, printed, and submitted as per the instructions below.
- Step 1: School visits, either with the Director of Admission or during an Open House, are required for all interested families. Please contact the Admission Office at 717-763-7811 to schedule a tour.
- Step 2: Completed application for admission, with a $75 nonrefundable fee, will be accepted within two years prior to the desired enrollment date.
- Step 3: Teacher Recommendations are to be completed by the appropriate teachers and mailed directly to Harrisburg Academy.
- Step 4: Transcript Release Requests (as included on page 8 of the admission application) should be signed by the parents and given to the previous school, permitting the school to forward transcripts and standardized testing reports to Harrisburg Academy.
- Step 5: Entrance Evaluations are required for all candidates, grades HATS through 12.
- Step 6: Harrisburg Academy will mail the results of the admission process and an invitation of acceptance, if applicable, to your home address as provided on the application for admission.
Admission to Early Childhood
Evaluation by Admission staff, Early Childhood/Lower School head, and/or teachers may include developmental readiness, aptitude, and achievement measures. This process includes an observation of the candidate during a Saturday play date and may include a full-day visit in a Harrisburg Academy classroom.
Admission to Lower School
Evaluation by Admission staff, Early Childhood/Lower School head, and/or teachers may include developmental readiness, aptitude, and achievement measures. This process also will include a minimum of one full-day visit in a Harrisburg Academy classroom.
Admission to Middle or Upper School
Candidates take an exam to assess verbal, math, and writing ability during their full-day visit to Harrisburg Academy. Admission decisions are made when the entire application process is complete.
Admission to Upper School for International Candidates
In order to study at Harrisburg Academy, international students must be studying through an approved international study program to host their stay in the United States. Please click here for more information about admission for international students and home-stay programs.
