Study Hall

Middle school electives give students an opportunity to discover new talents or explore an area of interest even further All grade 6 electives meet three days a week for one semester Sixth graders choose two electives, one for each semester All grade 7-8 electives meet five days a week for one semester Seventh and eighth graders choose one elective for the year

Math

Grades 7-8: Math Elective Students are exposed to different kinds of contest problems that are challenging and exciting at the same time They work on problems independently as well as in teams This math course will help students better understand problem-solving that is a critical part of all math contests All students in this class participate in contests hosted by various organizations including the Math Olympiad for Elementary and Middle Schools, American Scholastic Mathematics Association and the California Math League Ten students from this class will be selected to represent The Harker School in the MATHCOUNTS competition Students are selected for this elective based on their scores on the entrance test, their interest in solving challenging problems, performance in their math classes and recommendations from math teachers

Computer Science

Grade 7-8: Engineering and App Design This course is a hands-on, project-based course in electronics and microcontroller systems The first segment of the course covers basic electronic theory and circuit diagrams Students construct circuits with components such as batteries, resistors, LEDs, capacitors, buttons, and transistors on breadboards They then learn to solder permanent circuits on perfboards The second segment of the course covers the creation of Arduinocompatible microcontroller systems, including circuitry and software There is a final project of the students’ own choosing No prior electronics or programming experience is required for this course

Grade 6: Innovation Lab Using the create process called design thinking, students will develop solutions to unique problems or challenges Students will design, problem-solve and learn through curiosity and play Projects completed by students may involve one or more of the following workstations within the lab: 3-D printing, textile crafts, electronics, programming or multimedia

Grade 7-8: Java Programming This course offers an introduction to Java for the middle school student The class uses the Processing integrated development environment, which allows students to learn programming through the creation of graphics, animations and sounds Students are encouraged to experiment, but also complete projects that include developing designs, writing code and de-bugging programs Concepts covered include variables, arrays, strings, loops, conditionals, methods, objects and classes

Visual Arts

It is important that students continue to experience and explore the artistic aspects of life in middle school, to complement their academic experiences In addition to a year of music in grade 6, students may also select from a variety of electives to complete an additional experience in the fine or performing arts Students may choose to broaden their knowledge in a current area of interest or explore and develop new passions

Grade 6: Elective Art Students experience a variety of art media in both two and three dimensions The lessons explore the art elements and principles of design Lessons presented focus on engaging the students’ imaginations, enhancing critical thinking skills and developing technical and perceptual abilities Students are also introduced to artists and art movements from history with follow-up assignments that give them the opportunity to interpret style and theme using their own imagery Materials explored include all varieties of graphite, paints, pastels, wood, clay, wire, plaster and mixed-media collage The curriculum is articulated with the California Standards for Visual Arts

Grade 6: Ceramics This semester-long course focuses on theme-based lessons exploring the medium of clay In addition, students will use the semester to practice and develop their skill using the pottery wheel with an emphasis on creating functional ceramics Each lesson theme will engage the student’s imagination and introduce a central idea which they will express There is emphasis on the design process of ideation with two-dimensional visualization and composition explored for each project The designs are fully developed on paper and then transferred into threedimensional expression in clay Sequential lessons build student skill levels from basic to more challenging experiences in the handling of clay There is also strong emphasis on building a foundation and understanding of the elements and principles of art and design

Grade 7-8: Art I Art I is designed for grade 7-8 students taking art for the first time Students experience a variety of art media in a progressive sequence exploring the visual art elements Art from different historical periods, cultures, art movements and artists introduce each lesson to promote art appreciation and comprehension Lessons are taught within a theme that links the purpose and skills to each project Students work in a wide variety of media: clay, glass, wood, drawing, paint, found objects, collage, photography and some computer graphic work as well

This course continues with Art II where these foundation skills are further developed

Grade 8: Art II (Prerequisite: Art I) Art II is a continuation of the work begun in Art I In Art I the focus is on the individual art elements In Art II the focus is on how the art elements are organized in composition and design Art II students learn how to compose, design and develop their own personal expression exploring the principles of design Materials used include clay, glass, wood, drawing, paint, found objects, collage, photography, and a minimal integration of computer graphics Students carry their ideas through from ideation to completion, demonstrating an increasingly complex sense of aesthetics in both concept and art-making strategies Art class is dedicated to the creative spirit and it’s a place to relax and explore ideas Students participate in a shared art project with a sister school in France and in an online art gallery with students from a sister school in Australia

This course emphasizes development of individual skills and practices to prepare the student for articulation into the upper school’s visual arts program

Grade 7-8: Sculpture This course is devoted to building a foundation in additive and subtractive sculptural techniques through an exploration of the elements and principles of art and design Lessons presented focus on engaging the students’ imagination, enhancing their critical thinking skills and developing technical and kinesthetic skills by handling a variety of materials Art from different historical periods, cultures, art movements and artists introduce each lesson to promote art appreciation and comprehension Lessons are taught within a theme that links the purpose and skills together within a project The semester is divided into three basic sections by media and style • Clay: wheel throwing, hand building • Wood: relief sculpture, free-standing sculpture • Mixed Media: culminating project of kinetic sculpture, stabiles and standing mobiles

Grade 7-8: Ceramics I Students will work extensively in the medium of clay interpreting themes and completing assigned projects Each theme is designed to challenge the student’s imagina

tion, explore ideas and promote conceptualization skills Students will experience the process of creativity through the workings of the design cycle: ideation, planning and execution In some instances, students will draw their ideas two-dimensionally and deconstruct them in order to determine how to make them out of clay before they handle the actual material In many cases they will make smaller models before embarking on a large-scale form Students will learn in all methods of clay construction with a focus on designing within the nature and character of clay itself In addition, students will have ample opportunity to use the potter’s wheel and develop this unique skill This course solidifies students’ skills and abilities in self-expression through the aesthetics of clay and prepares them for specialization in upper school Ceramics from different historical periods, cultures, art movements and artists will be studied in order to promote art appreciation and understanding There is also strong emphasis on building a foundation and understanding of the elements and principles of art and design

Grade 7-8: Ceramics II This is an advanced class in ceramics, building upon Ceramics I, with a focus on the pottery wheel Students meet daily for one semester and build on skills developed in Ceramics I Students will solidify their skills using the wheel, initially producing functional ceramics The first eight weeks of class will focus on practicing the finer mechanics of wheel production Students move on to more complex forms as they successfully pass skill tests on each basic form Once wheel mastery has been accomplished, students extend their skills into the creative realm exploring wheel-altered form, sculptural effects, integrating extruded forms, and hand-built forms The second half of the semester is student-directed projects; based on the research of artist and style, students build connections into their imagery and meaning using

techniques and aesthetics from an accomplished artist of their choice In addition, students will explore in-depth glaze application and study various surface treatments such as under-glaze, photo-transfer and stains to bring their completed pieces to fully designed ceramic artworks Ceramics from different historical periods, cultures, art movements and artists will be studied in order to promote art appreciation and understanding There is also strong emphasis on extending the understanding of the elements and principles of art and design with their own artwork

Performing Arts

It is important that students continue to experience and explore the artistic aspects of life in middle school, to complement their academic experiences In addition to a year of music and drama in grade 6 and dance embedded in their physical education classes, students may also select from a variety of electives to complete an additional experience in the performing arts Students may choose to broaden their knowledge in a current area of interest or explore and develop new passions

Grade 6: Dynamics Dynamics is designed for the student who loves high-energy choir performing Students sing, learn choreography and participate in a number of public and school performances Proper vocal production techniques, including support, breathing, stance, harmony and vocal projection, will be emphasized Participation in Dynamics is a year-long commitment Students use their elective period in semester 1 for Dynamics and then in semester 2, students participate in Dynamics during a practice period that takes place within the school day

Grade 6: Drama The drama elective is an introduction to the vocabulary and practice of theater and the dramatic arts

Through acting exercises, projects, improvisation games and playwriting, students explore various elements of drama and performance Students practice what they learn in large group activities as well as individual and partner scenes This course is equally suitable for those students new to theater or those who have already discovered a passion for it

Grade 6: Orchestra This ensemble explores a range of chamber and orchestral repertoire Providing a rich musical environment, students have opportunities to work with professional musicians in master classes and at outside music festivals Students participate in a variety of activities focused on learning a variety of repertoire, sight reading, technique, notating, and composing and analyzing music

Grade 6: Introduction to Technical Theater Students learn the fundamentals of theatrical design from concept through presentation in this semester-long course Using sketches, drawings, models, samples and live demonstrations, students create working designs for every aspect of theater, including lighting, sound, scenery, props, costumes and special effects Specialty workshops, such as scenic painting, special effects makeup and costuming, add a practical, hands-on element to the class

Grade 6: Harker Band Band, which includes all woodwind, brass and percussion, explores a wide range of band styles from classical to jazz to contemporary, while engaging in activities such as fundamental development, reading, learning songs by ear, and performing in concerts For one semester, the band will meet during a class period for three days per week In the opposite semester, students will still meet as a band during the mid-day activity period three days a week, allowing for their second elective option during the elective period Students may take both String Orchestra and Band This course meets the prerequisite for Grade 7-8 Jazz Band and 7th & 8th Grade 7-8 Orchestra

GRADES 7-8 PERFORMING ARTS ELECTIVES

Grade 7-8 students must participate in at least one fine arts opportunity during their seventh or eighth grade year Students can fulfill this requirement by taking any performing arts elective, one of the fine arts electives, or participating in other fine arts at opportunities, such as after-school dance, working on musical scenery after school, crewing the middle school play, participating in the musical or Dance Jamz

Grade 7-8: Concert Choir Concert Choir is designed for grade 7-8 students who love high-energy choir performing Students sing the highest quality of music written for choir, from Renaissance masters to composers of the 21st century, learn choreography and participate in a number of public and school performances Proper vocal production techniques, including support, breathing, stance, harmony and vocal theme using their own imagery Materials explored include all varieties of graphite, paints, pastels, wood, clay, wire, plaster and mixed-media collage The curriculum is articulated with the California Standards for Visual Arts projection will be emphasized Participating in Concert Choir is a year-long commitment Students use their elective period in semester 1 for Concert Choir and then

in semester 2, students participate in Concert Choir during a practice period that takes place during the school day Concert Choir is a requirement for both Vivace and Harmonics; students who are in either group are concurrently enrolled in Concert Choir

Grade 7-8: Harmonics Harmonics is a highly skilled by-audition choir for students who love to sing, act and dance Students study jazz, musical theater and standard choral repertoire; music theory, acting and dance; and present dynamic performances at various Harker campuses throughout the year and on their annual tour Harmonics members are also part of the cast of the annual spring musical

Grade 7-8: Vivace Vivace is a traditional mixed choir of female and male voices that is chosen by audition only in the spring, and meets for the entire year Singers learn harmonies, techniques for correct vocal production and various musical styles Vivace performs throughout the year both on and off campus

Grade 7-8: Acting & Scene Study This course is ideal for students who want to develop their acting skills, improve their oral communication skills or overcome stage fright Through games and trust-building exercises, the students work with a variety of partners to build the foundations of a collaborative learning environment They learn basic performance skills, namely improvisation, pantomime and use of the body and voice to convey ideas and emotions Students discover how to develop characters through improvisation exercises and informal scene work The course culminates in more advanced acting projects, such as formal partner scenes, a short documentary-style film or a one-act play

Grade 7-8: Theater Production Students learn the fundamentals of theatrical design from concept through presentation Using sketches, drawings, models, samples and live demonstrations, students create working designs for every aspect of theater, including lighting, sound, scenery, props, costumes and special effects Students gain hands-on experience by working on projects for major productions held on the middle school campus

Grade 7-8: Orchestra This course is designed to prepare young musicians for more challenging work as ensemble members and overall musicians The program feeds directly into the curriculum of the upper school orchestra program Students receive a diverse musical education ranging from techniques in listening, rhythm and music theory and music history and are introduced to advanced repertoire The orchestra also has various performances throughout the year including the winter and spring concerts It is required that students have had one year of music lessons Some auditions for selected instruments may be required This course is a yearlong commitment

Grade 7-8: Jazz Band Jazz Band is a yearlong course designed for instrumentalists interested in jazz performance Following the National Standards for Arts Education, students will engage in a curriculum that prioritizes creativity, musicianship, playing technique and jazz history Course objectives include: 1) learning repertoire by ear, 2) improvising in a variety of tonalities, meters and styles, 3) reading selected reper

toire, 4) composing/arranging, and 5) transcribing and analyzing selected improvisations Throughout the school year, students will perform in both small (combo) and large (big band) ensemble formats Auditions for selected instruments may be required This course is a yearlong commitment

AFTER-SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS

Grade 6: Dance Grade 6 dance is offered every day after school Students are offered a varity of styles including ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and tap The dance classes consist of a center floor warm-up, across-the-floor programming and learning combinations and routines Flexibility and technique are the focus of the dance classes Students who take Session II dance classes learn a routine for Dance Jamz, the middle school dance show Students must take Sessions I and II to perform in Dance Jamz, whereas Session III is optional

Dance Fusion: Dance Fusion is an audition group comprising grade 4-6 boys and girls The high-energy routines feature the styles of jazz, hip-hop and Latin, as well as partnering skills Students selected are those who demonstrate good technique, stage presence, energy and commitment to dance They need to maintain good academic and citizenship standing Auditions are held the first week of school, and rehearsals are every Friday evening with monthly weekend rehearsals

Grade 6: Play Students wishing to participate in the fall play audition in September for a November production Rehearsals are after school

Grade 7-8: Dance Grade 7-8 dance is offered every day after school Students are offered a variety of styles including ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and tap The dance classes consist of a center floor warm-up, across-the-floor programming and learning combinations and routines Flexibility and technique are the focus of the dance classes Students

who take Session II dance classes learn a routine for Dance Jamz, the middle school dance show Students must take Sessions I and II to perform in Dance Jamz, whereas Session III is optional

Grade 7-8: Showstoppers & High Voltage Showstoppers is a grade 7-8 girls audition dance group and High Voltage is the grade 7-8 boys audition dance group The focus of this select group of dancers is dance Grade 7-8: Drama Students wishing to participate in the fall play audition in September for a November production Rehearsals are after school There is also a spring musical which grade 7-8 students may audition for; rehearsals for that production take place after school

Speech & Debate

Grade 6: Introduction to Speech and Debate Students are introduced to the basics of public speaking, debate and argumentation Students learn presentation, research, organization and critical thinking skills They practice delivering extemporaneous and prepared speeches Students will also learn the core argumentation and refutation skills that are common to all of the competitive debate formats Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events outside of school as part of the middle school speech and debate team This course is a prerequisite for the Debate 1 or Speech 1 class students may choose to take in grade 7 or 8

Grades 7-8: Introduction to Speech and Debate Students will be introduced to the basics of public speaking, debate and argumentation Students will learn presentation, research, organization and critical thinking skills They will practice delivering extemporaneous and prepared speeches Students will also learn the core argumentation and refutation skills that are common to all of the competitive debate formats Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events outside of school as part of the middle school speech and debate team This course is a prerequisite for the Debate 1 or Speech 1 class

Debate 1: Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas Debate Debate 1 will teach students more advanced debate skills Students will focus on preparing for competition in public forum or Lincoln-Douglas debate The class focuses on topic analysis, case writing, research and presenting a persuasive case Students will engage in practice debates and will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events outside of school as part of the middle school speech and debate team Debate 2: Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas Debate Students who have already taken Debate 1 may take this course to prepare for competition in public forum and Lincoln-Douglas debate Students will improve their case writing skills and utilize each of the advanced skills learned in Debate 1 Students will present practice speeches, participate in practice debates and learn to receive and provide peer critiques Students will also work to improve their research skills through finding evidence in school databases, think tanks, books and news to support their arguments Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events outside of school as part of the middle school speech and debate team

Speech 1: Individual Events and Congress Speech 1 will engage students in competitive genres of public speaking and congressional debate After a brief review of public speaking basics, students will delve into exploring the aspects of extemporaneous speaking, persuasive speaking, the interpretation of literature and congressional debate They will have the opportunity to apply their skills through various in-class speeches, drills and exercises Students present in class and peer review their classmate’s speeches Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events outside of school as part of the middle school speech and debate team

Speech 2: Individual Events and Congress Students who have taken Speech 1 may take this course to prepare competitive speeches and further develop skills in congressional debate Students will expand and improve their presentation, research and speech-writing skills, and will present practice speeches and learn to receive and provide peer critiques Students will work to improve their skills through drills and exercises tailored for each style of speech Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events outside of school as part of the middle school speech and debate team This course is for students who have already taken Introduction to Speech and Debate and Speech 1

Grade 6-8: Study Hall Students may also take Study Hall as their elective option This time provides an opportunity for students to work independently on their studying and homework

Middle School

GRADES 6-8

Soar with us!

by the numbers 36

Teams Fielded

13

Sports Offered

65%

Participation

100%

Eagle Pride

FALL

Late-Aug.-Mid-Oct.

Flag Football

Softball

Cross Country

Swimming

Girls Lacrosse

Golf Tournament

EARLY WINTER

Mid-Oct.-Mid-Dec.

Boys Basketball

Girls Soccer

LATE WINTER

Jan.-Mid-Mar.

Boys Soccer

Girls Basketball

SPRING

Mid-Mar.-Mid May

Boys Volleyball

Girls Volleyball

Baseball

Tennis

Water Polo

Golf Tournament

Track Meet

West Bay Athletic League

Interscholastic Middle School League –West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) Castilleja School, Crystal Springs Uplands, Eastside College Prep, The Girls’ Middle School, Keys School, The King’s Academy, Menlo School, Nueva School, Pinewood School, Priory School, St. Joseph’s Sacred Heart School, St. Matthew’s School, Woodland School, Highlands Christian, Redeemer Lutheran

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Athletics are an important part of any adolescent experience – from learning new physical skills and sportsmanship to simply enjoying the activity and competition. Many students play sports for the sheer love of the game. But in our sports programs at Harker, on top of the thrill of competing and having fun with friends, students experience benefits that support their academic, social and emotional growth in middle school. Our coaches, teachers and club leaders work together to ensure our students are performing well in their academics and extracurricular activities. We schedule practices and club meetings at different times so that your student can be on the swim team and the debate team without skipping a beat. The middle school athletic program is structured to provide all interested students with an educational, enjoyable and appropriate experience. In order to accomplish these goals, we have created a structure that combines interscholastic opportunities for the most advanced students and a spirited and instructional intramural program for students who need to concentrate more on sport development. Whenever possible, depending on the availability of competition, we will field an interscholastic team in each sport at each grade level. If there are a large number of skilled players in a grade, and opponents to play, we will consider adding a second team.

INTRAMURAL PROGRAM

We will form an instructional and developmental intramural program in sports where we have ample enrollment. These programs combine students from several grade levels in order to make it viable and fun for all. The goal of the intramural program is to help and support the developing athletes in order to better prepare them for an interscholastic experience in the future and to meet the needs of recreational athletes.

• Practices are held Monday–Friday, 3:45-5 p.m. • Attendance is mandatory on Tuesday,

Wednesday, Friday and all game days. • Swimming is mandatory on Monday Wednesday and Friday. • Track does not have mandatory practice days. • VA and and VB tennis practice TBD.

COACHES

Harker’s coaches do more than just coach their sports. They serve as role models and mentors, helping our student athletes develop into well-rounded individuals who are ready to lead teams, compete and succeed in the world. With experience in collegiate, professional and international sports teams, all of our coaches are qualified to offer your teen an excellent athletic experience. They are also supported with professional development opportunities to continue their growth in coaching our student athletes.

They hold NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) coaching certifications, comprising extensive training in areas including: • coaching fundamentals • first aid and CPR • concussion awareness.

THERESA SMITH

Middle School Athletic Director

Theresa Smith has been at Harker since 1990. She coached the upper school girls volleyball team to the CCS championship in 2019 and the Northern California championship in 2007, and has amassed more than 350 wins as the varsity coach. In 2007 she was awarded the Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach award. Ms. Smith was inducted into the St. Francis High School Hall of Fame in 1992, one of only two female all-around athletes ever so honored. Most recently the 2021 CCS Volleyball Coach of the Year and the 2021 California Volleyball Coach of the Year. She played volleyball, basketball and softball at De Anza College, and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on a full volleyball scholarship, playing basketball there as well. She was chosen as the Peninsula Times Tribune’s High School Athlete of the Year in 1983 and played on the USA Amateur Olympic volleyball team that won the gold medal in Australia in 1990.

Contact:

theresa.smith@harker.org 408.553.0389 (office)

Harker’s mission is to educate students for success at college and beyond. We help our students discover their passions and to find colleges that align with their talents, personalities and goals. We take pride in the wide range of colleges on our matriculation list, representing the great diversity of talent and interests possessed by Harker students and alumni. We celebrate that our seniors have phenomenal college options. Equally important, we celebrate that our students graduate from Harker having developed deep interests, a love of learning, and a desire to have social impact. Graduates from the classes of 2020-2022 matriculated to the following colleges and universities.

Amherst College Babson College Barnard College Bellevue College Boston College 3 4 1 1 2

Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University

8 2 1 Brown University 4 California Institute of Technology 7 California Institute of the Arts 1 California Lutheran University 2 California Polytechnic State

University, San Luis Obispo 2 California State University

Fullerton 1

Monterey Bay 1

Northridge 1 Carleton College 1 Carnegie Mellon University 26 Case Western Reserve University 5 Chapman University 14 Claremont McKenna College 4 Clemson University 1 Colorado State University 1 Columbia University 15 Cornell University 13 Dartmouth College 4 De Anza College 2 Drexel University 2 Duke University 12 Emerson College 2 Emory University 2 George Washington University 2 Georgetown University 5 Georgia Institute of Technology 5 Harvard University 12 Harvey Mudd College 1 Illinois State University 1 Indiana University 2 Johns Hopkins University 5 Loyola Marymount University 7 Macalester College 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 16 Mount Holyoke College 1 New York University 22 Northeastern University Northwestern University

2 3 Occidental College 1 Olin College of Engineering 2 Olivet Nazarene University 1 Oxford College of Emory University 1 Pepperdine University 1 Pitzer College 3 Pomona College 2 Pratt Institute 1 Princeton University 7 Purdue University 13 Reed College 2 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1 Rhode Island School of Design 1 Rice University 3 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 1 San Jose State University 4 Santa Clara University 6 Savannah College of Art and Design 1 Stanford University 27 Stetson University Swarthmore College 1 2

Syracuse University 1

The Peabody Institute of

The Johns Hopkins University 1 The University of Texas at Austin 5 Trinity University 1 Tufts University 3 Tulane University of Louisiana 1 University College London 1 University of California

Berkeley 20

Davis 4

Irvine Los Angeles Merced 8 18 1

San Diego Santa Barbara 9 15

Santa Cruz

3 University of Chicago 11 University of Colorado Boulder 2 University of Denver 1 University of Hawaii at Manoa 2 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 19 University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Charlotte 6 1 17 1

3

1

University of Oregon

4 University of Oxford 1 University of Pennsylvania 13 University of Pittsburgh 2 University of Portland 1 University of Richmond 1 University of Southern California 28 University of St Andrews 1 University of Toronto 4 University of Utah 1 University of Washington 13 University of Wisconsin 12 Vanderbilt University 3 Vassar College 1 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 2 Wake Forest University 1 Washington University in St. Louis 10 Wellesley College 4 Wesleyan University 1 Whittier College 1 Williams College 1 Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3 Yale University 7

‘Sixth grader hosts several segments for Nick News’

– Nick News, May 25, 2022 Seventh grader Rory Hu appeared on Nickelodeon’s Nick News and had the opportunity to ask former press secretary Jen Psaki a question about the effects of social media on mental health. Rory also interviewed both Psaki and Ed O’Keefe, CBS senior White House correspondent, for her Nick News segment during her visit.

‘Two students named Athlete of the Week’

– San Jose Mercury News, Dec. 17, 2021 and April 8, 2022 During the 2021-22 school year, two Harker athletes were chosen as the Bay Area News Group’s Athlete of the Week. For Dec. 6-12, basketball player Anjali Yella, now a junior, was chosen with 34% of the vote, and for March 28-April 3, lacrosse player Kyra Hawk, currently a senior, won with nearly 32% of the vote.

‘Teacher, student receive poetry honors’

– San Jose Mercury News, April 17, 2021 – East Bay Times, July 28, 2021 A student and a teacher both had great accomplishments in poetry. In July, junior Sarah Fathima Mohammed was named one of five poets in the 2021 National Student Poets Program, and in April, English teacher Jennifer Siraganian was named the Poet Laureate of Los Gatos. Both are working on initiatives to promote poetry in their respective communities.

‘DoorDash co-founder gifts $10 million’

– Harker News, April 7, 2021 In April, DoorDash co-founder and Harker alumnus Andy Fang ’10 gifted $10 million to The Harker School to establish The Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund. The endowment will provide need-based financial aid to qualified students and will support Harker’s ongoing commitment to diversity at the school. ‘First woman Bitcoin core developer’

– Forbes.com, July 15, 2020 In July, Forbes recognized Amiti Uttarwar ‘10 as the first woman developer of Bitcoin Core, described as “the protocol underlying a $170 billion market cap asset changing the face of privacy, security, and value.” Uttarwar began working in cryptocurrency in 2018 and has since become an important figure in the Bitcoin sphere, with her presentations and talks being widely circulated.

‘Debaters take first and second at nationals’

– Harker News, June 24, 2019 “At the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June, Haris Hosseini ’19 and rising senior Avi Gulati took first and second place, respectively, in original oratory. Also at this tournament, Alycia Cary ’19 reached the semifinals for original oratory, rising junior Andrew Sun placed 15th in congressional debate and Jason Huang ’19 was a semifinalist in congressional debate.”

‘Cal-Hi Sports D4 school of the year’

– CalHiSports.com, July 23, 2019 In July, Harker was named a State School of the Year in Division IV by Cal-Hi

Sports, the first such honor for the school. Strong performances from boys volleyball, boys swimming, girls golf and girls lacrosse were factors in Harker being chosen for this recognition.

‘Boys volleyball ranked fourth in the nation’

– CalHiSports.com, July 23, 2019 “Harker boys volleyball ranked fourth in the nation in the 2018-19 school year. In July 2019, two members of the upper school boys volleyball team – Jarrett Anderson ’19 and rising senior Jeffrey Kwan – helped the Mountain View Volleyball Club win the 18 Open Division national championship in Dallas.”

‘A trio of Harker alumni make Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2018’

– Harker News, Feb. 26, 2018 Forbes’ 2018 “30 Under 30” lists featured three Harker alumni in three different categories. Siddarth Satish ’06’s healthcare technology company, Gauss Surgical, created an app that monitors blood loss in operating rooms using an iPad. ElectrIQ Power Inc., co-founded by Chadwick Manning ’07, was recognized in the energy category for technology it developed to help home and business owners save electricity. As director of retail partnerships for tech product company b8ta, Meghana Dhar ’06 was named in the retail and e-commerce category for the 700 b8ta stores she opened by 2018.

‘A 32-Year-Old’s Startup, Inspired By A Health Scare, Sells For $275 Million’

– Forbes Magazine, April 16, 2018 In April 2018, Surbhi Sarna ’03 was featured in Forbes after selling her startup healthcare firm, nVision Medical, for $275 million. Sarna, who experienced a health scare at the age of 13, founded nVision in 2009 to develop technology to promote the early detection of ovarian cancer. In 2014, Sarna was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list of entrepreneurs in the science and healthcare field.

‘Saving water is elementary for these Harker students’

– East Bay Times, March 15, 2018 In early 2018, Harker sixth graders Kabir Ramzan, Dustin Miao and Jordan Labio turned a group project for a robotics competition into a proposal for water conservation that has since been presented to companies such as Google, Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware. ‘Maverick McNealy turning pro, not looking back’

– Golf Week, August 23, 2017 Longtime golfer and U.S. Open qualifier Maverick McNealy ’13 made the decision to turn pro in August 2017, prompting coverage from Golfweek, which examined the Stanford graduate’s college golfing career and future prospects. While a student at Harker, McNealy was one of the final eight at the 2012 USGA Junior Amateur Championship, which was followed by a win at the Silver Creek Valley Junior and a quarterfinal finish at the Northern California Golf Association’s Amateur Match Play Championship.

‘Saratoga teen wins $50,000 for creation of medical app’

– Bay Area News Group, Aug. 31, 2017 Rishab Gargeya ’17 received coverage in The Mercury News for winning a $50,000 Davidson Fellows Scholarship for his smartphone app, called “EyeLogic.” The app detects and diagnoses vision diseases using a cost-effective lens attachment, empowering users to quickly identify vision problems and seek proper medical help.

| Visit news.harker.org.

welcome to harker

A Learning Environment Like No Other

At Harker, we define success as something more than outstanding academic achievement: We believe in providing a world-class educational experience that both inspires and empowers students to explore, learn empathy and kindness, discover their unique talents and passions, and share their gifts to make the world a better place. The social and political challenges of our time have also reinforced our commitment and dedication, as a community, to stand against racism, violence, discrimination and harassment of any kind, and to foster inclusivity, equity and compassion in all that we do. Our focus on the whole student leads us to offer the type of truly wellrounded education that leads to happier, more purposeful and more fulfilling lives – K through Life. In this dynamic community, our outstanding faculty and deep academic offerings are enriched with an incomparable array of opportunities for children to immerse themselves in the arts, athletics, extracurricular activities, global education and local community service. Additionally, we empower students to launch projects, initiatives, clubs and more to help them follow their passions and make a difference. Since the school’s founding in 1893, Harker students have gone on to achieve great success in their colleges and careers. They have also continued to demonstrate a commitment to making the world a better place in ways that inspire us every day. We invite you to come experience the uniqueness of a Harker education for yourself!

“Harker remains the most significant professional and personal influence on me. Harker provided me with the study skills to succeed in school, and more important, the ethics and values to succeed in life.”

John Owens ’85 John is a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He is currently the youngest serving federal appellate court judge in the nation.

lead the way

Since 1893, The Harker School has been on a mission to develop students uncommonly prepared for college and beyond, and enthusiastic about future possibilities.

Prepared for success in an ever-changing world Renowned for instilling lifelong qualities of inquisitiveness, critical thinking and leadership, Harker has been on the leading edge of educational excellence since the day it was founded.

For more than 125 years, our campuses and curriculum have continually evolved, incorporating the latest best practices, creating the innovative programs, and building the state-of-the-art facilities that have earned Harker its reputation for offering the most dynamic K through Life learning experience in Silicon Valley.

From our innovative lower school methodologies to a university-quality upper school campus, Harker students dive deep into a rich array of academic and extracurricular programs that develop young adults uncommonly prepared for success in today’s global society.

“I am impressed with Harker’s individual approach to students: the teachers’ efforts to learn who the student is - how they are motivated and what their individual learning style is - and to address the needs of each student, factoring all of this into account.”

inspire passion

Outstanding teachers, small classes When learning is inspired, exploring becomes excelling. We search nationwide for our faculty, then select and retain those who demonstrate the ability to bring out the best in our students. Many hold advanced degrees; each is passionate about teaching and focused on individual student success.

Individualized curriculum, inspired learners As a student’s interests and talents evolve, each is evaluated for the course placement that will best engage and inspire him or her to personal and academic excellence.

Our proven teaching techniques and comprehensive support systems ensure that high expectations are met through a nurturing balance of challenge and encouragement. It’s an approach proven successful to instill students with confidence, resilience and poise.

“Harker provides the best combination of top quality academic and extracurricular programming, dedicated and caring faculty, incredible resources and facilities, and a vibrant community that anyone living in the Silicon Valley could ever hope to share with their child. ”

Bill Stevenson, parent

discover talents

Where opportunities become accomplishments We help students hone talents they never knew they had – ones which they will always be grateful to have discovered. Our richly diverse offerings encourage students to pursue interests outside the classroom where extracurricular activities can become the accomplishments that inspire a lifelong joy of learning.

Outside the classroom: from STEM to strings Our K-8 after-school program offers a myriad of learning adventures, including Mandarin, yoga, violin, cooking, storytelling, athletics, robotics, debate and Japanese anime; the middle school additionally has dozens of clubs and programs.

The upper school boasts an amazing array of more than 100 student clubs, enriching electives, extracurricular activities, and programs from competitive sports to powerful research projects.

Whether it’s our earth-conscious Green Team or the forward-thinking Future Problem Solvers, Harker students are empowered to implement ideas for clubs and introduce initiatives that reflect their own interests and passions to make a real impact in the world.

“I was able to to explore every aspect of performing in ways that I couldn’t have foreseen when I chose Harker for its academic rigor. Having the breadth of performing experience from Harker gave me tremendous confidence that paid dividends in my performing life.”

Gabrielle DeMers ’03 Gabrielle holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music and a Master of Music in opera performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. She currently performs with and is on the board of the Bizarre Noir Theatre Company.

perform & create

The chance to perform and create Nurturing the creative spirit in children, and giving them lots of opportunities to share their gifts with others, plays a vital role in their development and teaches them how to be part of something greater than themselves. And knowing, for instance, that music also fosters math comprehension in early learners (just as athletics help promote strong character development) it’s easy to see that your child’s chance to participate in extracurricular activities isn’t anything other than essential.

That’s why Harker students perform in 25 major events each year – from musicals to dramas to concerts. Our groups have even been invited to perform internationally, including four times at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.

Visual arts students express themselves through a variety of mediums, including bronze casting and architecture, producing works that have been selected for national exhibitions.

The opportunity to grow Through an array of opportunities they wouldn’t have elsewhere, and in ways they would never have otherwise imagined, Harker students discover and nurture their own talents, develop self-confidence and unleash their creative potential.

“I still draw inspiration from my athletic experience at Harker, and our journey to the state championships!”

Tanya Schmidt ’08 Tanya is a Santa Clara University graduate and played professional volleyball in Germany and Belgium. She is pursuing a master’s degree in English and American literature at New York University.

compete and grow

Eagle spirit: character with a competitive edge Teamwork, sportsmanship, dedication and leadership are the cornerstones of our athletic program. From the very start, our programs focus on character development and are designed to instill positive attitudes, strong core values and the habits of healthy living.

Each campus features extensive athletic facilities and playing fields, from a lower school swimming pool to the upper school’s state-of-the-art Singh Aquatic Center and 33,000-square-foot athletic center.

Eagle athletic offerings include football, soccer, volleyball, swimming, softball and lacrosse, to name a few. We participate in the South Valley Athletic League, West Bay Athletic League, Bay Football League and others.

Whether student athletes pursue sports for pure enjoyment or have a desire to compete at the collegiate level, we provide the guidance, leadership and support they need to get and keep their game on. Go Eagles!

“Harker had a lot to do with my drive to be an entrepreneur and I’m grateful for all of the teachers who inspired me while I was there. It was a fantastic journey.”

Surbhi Sarna ’03 Surbhi earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She founded venture-backed nVision Medical in 2009 to develop technology to more quickly detect ovarian cancer. The medical device that resulted received FDA approval in 2015.

explore the world

Worldly classrooms As students move through the divisions with growing involvement in international programs, their experiences are consistently being filtered through the goals of our global education program: awareness, collaboration and experiential learning. Our students have collaborated with schools in 25 countries through projects or visits since the program began.

Meaningful research Research programs enable upper school students to pursue the wonder of science through original, real-world research projects. The John Near and Mitra Family endowments allow students to engage in deep research in the humanities, and the annual Harker Research Symposium provides deep, college-level research opportunities.

Business and entrepreneurship Our business & entrepreneurship program prepares students as emerging leaders in engineering, technology, finance, marketing, and hospitality and tourism. A new incubator program, BECon (Harker’s annual convention) and TEDx Harker School events offer unique opportunities to leverage the entrepreneurial engine of Silicon Valley.

“Our kids are learning a lot, and have also made great friends. It shows because they are raring to go to school in the morning!”

Raghu Subramanian, parent

enjoy friends

Our students cheer each other on in athletics, applaud their friends in school performances, celebrate the activities of the student-run clubs, and just enjoy hanging out together from morning to evening.

Schoolwide traditions We have some long-held social traditions – homecoming, a family and alumni picnic and our gala – that bring students, faculty, parents and alumni together just to have a great time!

Campus communities Lower school students take pride in sharing fun events with family and friends at our annual Hat Parade, Grandparents’ Day and Halloween parade. Harker’s Eagle Buddies program pairs grade 3 students with an upper school buddy. Fun buddy events are planned throughout the year, which has formed warm connections between our youngest and oldest students.

Middle school students are assigned to one of four “houses” which compete in spirit events throughout the year. Cheering for friends at sporting events and attending barbecues and dances all ensure your pre-teen has plenty of opportunities to make friends, build confidence and have fun.

Upper school students form deep and lasting friendships at Harker, creating a warm, fun and supportive social life. Dozens of events like class competitions, spirit activities, events, dances and outings make for an engaging and exciting high school experience.

“In addition to the academic rigor, Harker does a very good job of creating a caring and supportive community for the kids. It’s been really rewarding to see our son’s friends, who are seniors, support and encourage our daughters as freshmen. It really does feel like a family.”

nurture and thrive

Harker students receive a world-class education within an intellectually challenging and supportive community. But to truly thrive we believe students also need to be healthy, self-aware, resilient and empathetic. The curriculum for developing these traits starts the moment students begin their journeys at Harker.

The lower school uses a curriculum called The Toolbox Project, which is designed to empower the children with 12 specific tools that will guide them in managing their own social, emotional and academic success.

Middle and upper school students are assigned to a faculty member’s advisory. They remain in that group throughout their time at that division. Advisories offer downtime to chat and play, to discuss topics of interest, give and receive guidance about wellness and social issues, and form a close-knit group of friends outside of one’s regular classes or pursuits.

At the upper school, the LIFE (Living with Intent, Focus and Enthusiasm) program sponsors workshops throughout the year that help our students navigate through topics including healthy relationships, performance anxiety and college readiness.

Harker students encourage and support one another and celebrate each other’s efforts and successes with hugs, high-fives and applause. It’s a supportive, safe, fun and nurturing place where kids thrive.

“Harker students are always curious to learn, enthusiastic to help and are really connected to the importance of giving back. You have a tremendous group of future leaders in your midst.”

give back

We teach character development skills as a part of the regular curriculum, engaging our students to develop essential character traits including kindness, respect and integrity. With hands-on learning opportunities for character development both in the classroom and out in the community, students will have many options for participating in service and helping others.

Big hearts, kind souls Students raise awareness and funds for both local and global issues, and they enthusiastically support each other in celebrating successes.

Immersed in an environment of integrity and respect, our students are generous, kind, considerate and thoughtful. They learn to think of others and have a desire to help those around them. No wonder college reps say, “Harker kids have soul!”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I had at Harker to explore so many areas that helped nurture my intellectual curiosity growing up, such as exploring different disciplines like art history and economics; participating in various afterschool activities like volleyball and the school musical; and pursuing college-level advanced computer science courses that influenced my professional ambitions.”

Andy Fang ‘10, Co-founder, DoorDash

share with others

Harker Concert & Speaker Series Harker invites visionaries, innovators and artists from a kaleidoscope of disciplines to share their talents and expertise with our students and the greater Bay Area.

Being green At Harker, being green means more than wearing our school color. From earning a commendation for our “dedication to environmental stewardship” for helping to implement San Jose’s new recycling program, to opening the first LEED Gold certified school building in Santa Clara County, our commitment to sustainability runs deep.

Ready to change the world To be a true global citizen is to understand the impact one person can have on the world. Our students are guided to become knowledgeable, ethical and responsible contributors to society, empowered with the desire to share their gifts and make a difference.

“It’s been an awesome 13 years at Harker! I will miss every part of Harker so dearly, but I am happy that I will always be welcome back home. I’m a ‘Lifer,’ I love Harker, and go Eagles!”

Vikas Bhetanabhotla ’14 UC Berkeley graduate, current cloud security software engineer at Palo Alto Networks

celebrate community

Our community is vibrant, bustling and inspiring. Athetic events, musicals, parties, speaker events, workshops and more provide opportunities for faculty, parents, students, alumni and the greater community to gather, have fun and share their passions.

We treasure our alumni and stay closely connected through nationwide alumni events, reunions and mentoring programs. Some of our alumni have come back to teach at Harker, while others serve on boards, present to classrooms and find reasons to come back to see their teachers (and have the famous Harker lunches again).

We are also a community of passionate learners and constantly seek ways to understand, improve and explore new ways of thinking. From student classrooms to parent education events, to reunions, there is a shared love of learning that permeates our community. Join us!

connect with us

We invite you to become a part of the Harker community. Whether it’s to attend Harker, participate in an event or become a mentor, we welcome you to join our commitment to excellence in education.

General: 408.249.2510 | communications@harker.org | www.harker.org Admission: admission@harker.org Summer Programs: summerinfo@harker.org Subscribe to Harker News Online: http://news.harker.org

The Harker School | K-12 College Prep | Summer

Upper School 500 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129 Middle School 4525 Union Avenue., San Jose, CA 95124 Lower School 4300 Bucknall Road, San Jose, CA 95130

San Jose, CAPreschool I Summer Programs

www.harker.org “ For our daughter to attend the new middle school is the sweetest homecoming I could wish for her. And to be buoyed by such a remarkable community is a blessing and an opportunity for which we are forever grateful. The new campus reflects the spirit, innovation, creativity and grace of the Harker family.”

HARKER’S MIDDLE SCHOOL

Free to be yourself. Inspired to be your best.

As a Harker middle school student you will enjoy a distinct advantage – a campus all your own! Here, you are free to be yourself and focus on learning in a nurturing environment uniquely designed for the specific needs of students your age. It’s a winning formula that helps you explore, develop confidence and be prepared for success in high school – and life.

A program uniquely designed to meet your needs.

Our classes are small and your academic placement is tailored to optimize your success. Our teachers are amazing (just ask the students!) and their enthusiasm and innovative teaching techniques will inspire you to learn and explore. From the arts to STEM, you can take cool classes like Engineering and App Design, Innovation Lab and Jazz Band. There are 36 clubs to choose from – you might think about joining the Badminton Club or Comic Book Club. You get to choose! And we have 13 sports, including water polo and golf.

We’re a neighborhood for you!

We have a nurturing, caring and fun-loving family atmosphere at the middle school. In this close-knit community, you are free to be yourself, have fun and find your passions.

We are here for you and invite you to join us!

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to educate students for success at college and beyond, and to foster kindness, respect, and integrity within a safe and nurturing environment. We achieve academic excellence through the development of intellectual curiosity, personal accountability, and love of learning. Our comprehensive program and exceptional faculty and staff help students discover, develop, and enjoy their unique talents. We honor individuality, embrace diversity, and promote leadership and service, preparing students to take their place as global citizens.