a
Open House
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Open House
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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 News

Harley's Podcasts

Joy In Learning

The Harley Parley

Our Instagram Feed

Harley teachers are full-time, experienced early childhood specialists. Experience the difference that deep expertise and joyful mentorship make during these foundational years. Meet our faculty at the Oct. 17 Nursery & Kindergarten Open House: Link in bio.
Multimedia Journalism visiting Record Archive to collect reference images for their yearbook theme this year!
Snacks and lunch are built directly into our curriculum, and the reason why might surprise you. Come discover how shared family-style meals foster community, self-reliance, and connection at Harley. Register for our Nursery and Kindergarten Open House on Oct. 17—link in bio.
Celebrating Excellence in Music at Harley We are proud to announce that Harley students Eden S. and Leo D. have been selected for the @nyssma_official Conference All-State Performing Ensembles following their outstanding scores at last spring's solo festivals. Honorees: Eden S. – Violin (All-State Symphonic Orchestra) Leo D. – Mallets (All-State Symphonic Band) | Snare (Alternate, All-State Bands) Recognized among the top student musicians across New York State, this honor reflects incredible dedication, discipline, and artistic skill. Both students will represent The Harley School at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester from December 3–6, 2026. Congratulations to Eden, Leo, and our music faculty on this well-deserved recognition!
Welcoming higher education partners to campus! This week, our Upper School students have the opportunity to connect directly with admissions representatives from: • Clarkson University • Nazareth University • Le Moyne College These visits provide our students with insights into academic paths, campus life, and admissions strategies.
Trish Corcoran brings a remarkable range of experiences to Harley students: paddling Irondequoit Creek, visiting Ganondagan, exploring our pollinator garden, and learning through Indigenous storytelling and conversations with guest speakers. As our Environmental and Indigenous Studies educator, Trish works with students from Nursery through Grade 12. Her teaching brings together environmental exploration, Indigenous histories and living cultures, and opportunities to learn directly from people in our wider community. Recently, her work included a Grade 4 visit to Ganondagan as part of their Haudenosaunee unit and a Grade 5 canoeing trip in Irondequoit Creek. Across the school, students take part in Indigenous storytelling, walks and hikes through our pollinator garden, visits with remarkable guest speakers, and experiences such as A Witness to Injustice. These experiences encourage curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a deeper understanding of our responsibilities to the land and to one another. We’re grateful for the knowledge, care, and relationships Trish brings to Harley, and for the many ways she makes learning meaningful for our students. Trish’s work extends beyond campus, too. She is one of the organizers of Rochester’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, now in its fifth year. Harley parents serve on the organizing committee, students from Lower through Upper School help prepare for and support the event, and families make signs with their young children. Faculty and alumni will also share their voices in song at the sunrise and sunset ceremonies. We’re proud to recognize the time, talent, and care these members of our community bring to the celebration. This year’s celebration takes place Monday, October 12, with events throughout the day: Sunrise Ceremony: 7 am at Cobbs Hill, by the White Pine near the reservoir Main celebration: 11 am–5 pm on the RMSC campus, 657 East Avenue Indigenous classical music: 4:45–5:45 pm in Eisenhart Auditorium Sunset Ceremony: 6 pm on RMSC’s East Avenue front steps The celebration is free and open to everyone. Regular museum admission fees apply separately.
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