Harley was established in 1917 by a group of 10 women from diverse backgrounds who wanted their children to benefit from the leading educational practices of their day—an education that focused on the development of all aspects of a young person.

These were insightful and brave women. The education to which they aspired resulted in creativity, a lifelong love of learning, respect and appreciation of others, and a strong sense of self—ideals that remain at the core of what we do. A century ago, they were certainly seen as “ahead of their time” but in contemporary terms, an education that results in these qualities is widely agreed to be the most valued for the 21^st century. To be creative with knowledge, to learn, unlearn and relearn with great facility, to work well in a diverse and dynamic world and to have the tenacity and inner strength to follow your passions—this is a Harley education.

We are also a dynamic and caring community of faculty, staff, parents, students and alumni who reach out and affect our world with a collectively positive spirit. I would say that one can measure the “heart” of an institution by its stories and in this regard, Harley has a heart of gold. Time and again this has shown through, as it did again in recent accomplishments.

There was “Harley House,” a Habitat for Humanity house that was conceived of, executed and completed by Harley students. Our senior leadership unified the School and their energy sprouted in every corner. From the Lower School Pageant, “Architects of the Heart,” to selling out of pancakes at a fundraiser, all will remember “the year we built the house.”

There is Harley’s unique hospice program. Upper School students participate in a hospice course and volunteer for this work throughout the region. Truly remarkable in itself, but there is more. Students and faculty also travel to Calcutta, India, to serve the needy and dying at Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity Hospice—a profound experience. Bob Kane, the teacher behind this program, has told me of a conversation he had with one the organizers in India and it went something like this: “Why would you want to do this?” asked the Indian man. “Because we are educating people to become good human beings” replied Mr. Kane. The expanded question is, “why would you bring students from the safe environment of the United States to one of the poorest places on Earth to serve dying and dispossessed people for whom no one else cares?” Mr. Kane answered well.

There is the BRIDGES program, conceived of and brought into reality by a Harley alumnus. Harley students and those from Rochester public schools come together in a collaborative program that challenges each participant to step outside their comfort zone and learn from the gathered diversity. They build boats, study the Genesee River and cross the boundaries that separate different experiences of growing up in America.

These stories speak to who we are as a community and there is a foundation upon which they unfold. In the greatest tradition of democracy, we teach and are guided by the responsibilities that accompany the rights we enjoy (see Rights and Responsibilities under our Mission and Core Values):

• the right to have the respect of others and the responsibility to respect others
• the right to feel safe and the responsibility to help others feel safe
• the right to an atmosphere that promotes learning and the responsibility to promote learning through preparation and participation
• the right to have one’s property respected and the responsibility to respect the property of others
• the right to expect the best of others and the responsibility to be one’s personal best.

It is no surprise that our commitment to these values results in a student body willing to step outside of comfort zones and act on the world as social entrepreneurs.

Thank you for allowing me to welcome you on behalf of The Harley School. Please stop in, visit and get to know us. You will undoubtedly be amazed by the joy that permeates the School and the ease with which relationships are formed.