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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

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.
We're excited to share that our Hospice Program has been selected as the 2026 AFPGV National Philanthropy Day Award Winner for Outstanding Young People in Philanthropy (Group). This honor recognizes the deep empathy, leadership, and hands-on service our students bring to our community every day. Pictured: AFPGV interview with participating students.
Who needs study abroad when you have study outside? Classrooms spilled across our 25-acre campus today as faculty took full advantage of outdoor learning in the great weather.
From dynamic dance groups and community service initiatives to student-led affinity spaces, today’s Upper School Club Rush was packed with energy and purpose. Student-run organizations are key to our Upper School culture, giving students the platform to lead, collaborate, and build meaningful peer communities.
Congratulations to HAC Wolves Girls Varsity tennis on their advancement to sectional semi finals! Thank you to @PrimetimeBallers for providing outstanding coverage and helping to shine a light on our student-athletes! Photo credit: Primetime Ballers
HAC Volleyball: DIG FOR PINK Join us on Wednesday, October 14 at Allendale Columbia as HAC Volleyball hits the court for our annual Dig for Pink event! Help us reach our goal of $2,000 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. Game ScheduleJV: 4:45 PM Varsity: 6:15 PM Raffle Baskets & Pricing We have over 30 gift baskets featuring items like Lululemon & Lush gift cards, spa products, Halloween/Fall goodies, Buffalo Bills gear, HAC apparel, and more! 1 Ticket: $3.00 2 Tickets: $5.00 5 Tickets: $10.00 12 Tickets: $20.00 30 Tickets: $40.00 Winners will be drawn during the second set of the Varsity match (you do not need to be present to win). Can't Attend But Still Want to Support? Take advantage of our Presale Offer: Get 1 ticket placed in every single basket for $40.00! Venmo: Scan the QR code on the flyer or send via Venmo (include your name and contact info). Players: You can also purchase directly through your favorite Varsity Volleyball player. Let's pack the gym in pink and reach our $2,000 goal for a great cause!
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