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Founded in 1917, The Harley School is a private, independent school in Rochester, NY offering a college preparatory program for approximately 450 students in Nursery through Grade 12.

When you set foot on the Harley campus, you immediately sense education is different here.

Our approach yields outstanding outcomes to be sure: the highest SAT scores in the region for the past five years, and college acceptances for our graduates at prestigious colleges and universities, including Harvard, MIT, McGill, and Kings College in London.

However, the most important part of our story isn’t results like these; it’s how our students are given the opportunity, the gift really, to be who they are: authentically and with the support of a caring community all around them.

In Their Own Words

"I love Harley. The Harley community's devotion to progress, especially evident in our mission of diversity and inclusion, gives us unique potential as a school that can be a place welcoming to all. And, honestly, I am incredibly grateful for this community. Being who I am, as a queer and trans person, it is not an exaggeration to say that this school saved my life."

—Kai DeJesus ’19; Undergraduate Student, Harvard College; Political Outreach Lead (MA), Brand New Congress

"There’s nothing I love more about Harley than our community. My teachers take time to talk with me or share things they think I’ll find interesting, and my classmates are always willing to help out if there is something I don’t understand. There’s plenty to love about Harley, especially the welcoming and supportive community—that’s why I’ve been here since Grade 1."

—Luke H. '25

Future Students

Our diverse learning community champions intellectual challenge and empathy, powered by students who act with care for themselves, each other, and the world.

Academic Programs

Harley fosters a culture of academic excellence where exploration, risk-taking, and intellectual curiosity fuel innovation and lifelong learning. (link to academic overview)

Culture & Community

Our vibrant learning environment fosters academic achievement, personal growth, a strong sense of community, and fun.

Innovative Student Projects

Cells Unbound: a Grade 7 Science Project

Step into the microscopic world! Our Grade 7 scientists at The Harley School took on the challenge of bringing cellular biology to life. From intricate 3D models to creative material choices, see how our students visualized the building blocks of life through this experiential science project.

Harley's NASA Hunch Program

Learn about the NASA HUNCH program at The Harley School, where students design and build solutions for life on the International Space Station. From the workshop to the launchpad, see how our students are making their mark on the cosmos—by applying creativity, hard science, and ingenuity.

The Solenoid-Based, Midi-Playing Marble Metallophone

Two Upper Schoolers were inspired by The Wintergartan Marble Machine, which sends thousands of steel marbles around an enormously complex circuit to make music. Their version uses circuits, coding, 3D printed parts, and more to play any midi file song file, from Free Bird to Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Grade 3: Harlic Garlic Project

One annual tradition that ties Grade 3 students to the Microfarm is Harlic Garlic. Each year, Grade 3 students sell the garlic that they have grown the previous year (and harvested over the summer), and at the end of the fall, they plant another round of garlic for the next class.

Harley's Podcasts

Joy In Learning

The Harley Parley

Our Instagram Feed

Entreprenuerial spirit: Grade 3 Harlic Garlic logos Students learned entrepreneurs often create logos in order to build interest and enthusiasm around a product. Art teacher Julie showed the classes a variety of familiar and unfamiliar logos and how they have changed over time and also provided tips for color selection and layouts. Students were then tasked with creating a logo for Harlic Garlic. Grade 8 art students joined us one day to provide advice and artistic guidance, then Upper School faculty members Ms. Kindelan and Ms. Barker had the idea and skills to combine them into one piece!
Calling all young readers, teens, and book-loving families! The Harley School will be at the Rochester Children & Teen Book Festival this Saturday at MCC! Whether you're coming for the read-alouds, author meetups, or hunting for your next great read, we’d love to see you. Stop by the Harley table to say hi, pick up some fun giveaways, and chat about how we foster a lifelong love of reading from Nursery through Upper School. See you there! Monroe Community College (Campus Center) Saturday, Nov 7 | 10 am – 4pm
In Grade 6 English class, students spent time exploring one another’s personal book project summaries and reviews. They browsed classmates' work to discover new titles for their own reading lists while leaving thoughtful compliments for their peers.
Fine Motor Skills in Action In one of our Primary classrooms students recently practiced body awareness and fine motor control through a multi-step design process. To focus on proportion and detail, students first built human figures out of blocks, cut paper shapes to assemble their figures, and finally drew the shapes to complete their person. Later in the week, students applied these same fine motor skills to handwriting practice on their slates, as well as creating detailed haunted houses.
Match Day is here! HAC Wolves Varsity Volleyball takes on the No. 3 Waterloo Tigers today at 5 pm at Allendale Columbia School for the Section V Class B Semifinals. We need the entire Wolf Pack loud in the gym—come out, bring the energy, and support the team as they compete for a spot in the finals!
Our choirs prepared a preview for their peers today in advance of tonight's concert. Singing in choir provides a space where students are in community with each other as well as developing the self-confidence that comes from public performances. Best wishes tonight to all of our educators and performers! You bring "music to our ears!" Pictured: Members of our Treble Choir