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Applying to Harley

Process and Application

Enrollment Process

The Harley School offers a rolling enrollment process. We encourage interested families to apply throughout the academic year. Each division has a slightly different process, and we look forward to talking with you about your child and letting you know how to get started. Complete our inquiry form or call our Enrollment Office at (585) 442-1770, ext. 1113.

Thinking of applying?

Explore our enrollment and application process.

Financial Assistance Opportunities

A Harley education is possible for your child.

Lower School Enrollment Process

At Harley, our attention to individual students and families starts early in the enrollment process. We meet with you and your child to get to know you, to understand your goals, answer your questions, and determine your child’s readiness for our program.  

We enjoy meeting our youngest students as they embark on their educational journey. For Nursery and Kindergarten applicants, visits are informal and fun. After applying, playdates are set up in January through the springtime for admission in the following fall.

For candidates in grades 1-4 after application is received we schedule a classroom visit; this is a morning visit for students entering Grades K-2, and a full-day visit for students entering grades 3 and 4.  All applicants will spend time with their peer group and meet with one of our learning specialists for 30 minutes during their visit for a short assessment of reading, math, and writing skills to help with placement.

Middle and Upper School Enrollment Process

Prospective students are welcome to visit Harley for a day and are paired with a student host. They attend classes and meet other students, faculty, and staff. For enrollment, your child will complete entrance exams in English and math, and a current transcript and other relevant academic records are also needed for consideration. In addition, three recommendations are required: one in English, one in math, and a personal recommendation.

We also consider their interests, experience, aptitudes, character, motivation, maturity, and previous experiences, along with academic records and teacher recommendations.

International Students

The Harley School enrolls international students in Grades 8-12. We limit international enrollment to five students per grade. We require proficiency in the English language, as we do not offer ESL courses. All international students without family in the area are required to be represented by an agency. Homestays will be provided through the agency.

Our international students take full advantage of the life of the school, participating in athletics, visual arts, music, and student government.

International students are encouraged to begin the application process in January before the entering year. To obtain a Harley School diploma, all students must spend a minimum of two years at the campus.

Cultural Exchanges

Non-degree/non-diploma candidates in any division wishing to spend time at Harley are welcome to join us. An I-20 is required.

To begin, please complete an International Inquiry Form.  For additional questions, please email enrollment@harleyschool.org.

Notice of nondiscriminatory policy for students

The Harley School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

The Harley School

1981 Clover Street
Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 442-1770

©2023 The Harley School

Students may create independent studies with supervising teachers throughout their Upper School experience or, during Grade 12, they can design Capstone projects—intensive collaborations with Harley faculty and off-campus mentors—involving rigorous academic study and culminating in public presentations. They are empowered to create their own curriculum, set goals, and work on time management skills in order to accomplish their objectives.

Independent Studies run the gamut from The Psychology of Sports to Furniture Design to The Neuroimaging of Alzheimer’s Disease. Capstones, meanwhile, are as diverse as the students who pursue them: Fictional Rochester, Autobiographical Art, Biomimicry Education, Organic Fuel, and Rochester Refugees. 

Indicative of Upper School curiosity and creativity, pursuits such as these distinguish our graduates in college. Through deep dives of this sort, Harley students master more than speaking, writing, and computing: they learn to communicate, advocate, collaborate, organize, listen, and empathize. 

About

Academics

Key Programming

Enrollment

Letter from the Head of School

Letter from the Editor

Features

Central Work that Matters: DEI

Harley Black Alumni Network

Climate Crisis Curriculum

Citizen Scientists

Joy Moss: Storytelling Roots

In Every Issue

Class Notes

Diane Donniger Award

By the Numbers

From the Archives

What’s (Who’s) New at Harley

Divisional Highlights

Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

Alumni Profiles: Keller

HAC Athletics

2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

1000 Words

Commencement 2022

Reunion 2022

In Memoriam

Retirements and Fond Farewells

Letter from the Head of School

Letter from the Editor

Features

Central Work that Matters

Affinity Group Forms

Climate Crisis Curriculum

Citizen Scientists

Joy Moss: Storytelling Roots

In Every Issue

Class Notes

Diane Donniger Award

By the Numbers

From the Archives

What’s (Who’s) New at Harley

Divisional Highlights

Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

Alumni Profiles: Keller

HAC Athletics

2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

1000 Words

Commencement 2022

Reunion 2022

In Memoriam

Retirements and Fond Farewells