I first came to know The Harley School through the Horizons at Harley program, an academic enrichment initiative that creates joyful opportunities for learning for students from the city of Rochester who might not otherwise have access to our incredible campus. Watching Horizons students explore, create, and grow here showed me what happens when a community truly believes in the transformative power of education. The public purpose at the heart of both Harley and Horizons—the belief that learning should be joyful, inclusive, and rooted in curiosity ultimately led me to consider Harley as the right place for my own children.

When my son Leo first joined Harley’s Middle School, and later my daughter Silvia followed, I was reminded of the same spark I saw in those Horizons classrooms. My children have been challenged academically in ways that inspire them to think deeply, ask questions, and love learning for its own sake. Their teachers know them not just as students, but as whole people—guiding, supporting, and celebrating them in the most Harley way possible. That care and attention have helped my children not only succeed, but enjoy school, which feels like one of the greatest gifts a parent could hope for.

Beyond academics, Harley has given my children the freedom to explore every side of themselves. They’ve discovered new sports without the weight of competition, found confidence through creativity, and continued their artistic pursuits—like Leo joining Vocal Chords this year. Each day, I see them becoming more thoughtful, capable, and compassionate people. For me, that’s the true essence of a Harley education: a place where curiosity meets kindness, where learning feels like joy, and where children grow into their fullest selves.

Claire Labrosa 

Executive Director of Horizons at Harley