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Coordinates: 37°18′48″N 121°58′08″W / 37.31322°N 121.9689°W / 37.31322; -121.9689
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{{short description|Independent school in San Jose, California, United States}}
{{short description|Independent school in San Jose, California, United States}}
{{Infobox school
{{Infobox school
| logo = The Harker School Logo.jpg
| logo = The Harker School Logo.jpg
| image = The Harker School Nichols Hall.jpg
| image = The Harker School Nichols Hall.jpg
| caption = Nichols Hall
| caption = Nichols Hall
| name = The Harker School
| name = The Harker School
| motto = K through Life
| motto = K through Life
| established = 1893 as Manzanita Hall<br />1972 as Harker Academy <br />name changed in 1993 to the Harker School
| established = 1893, as Manzanita Hall
| former_names = {{Small|Manzanita Hall (1893–1919),<br> Miss Harker's School (1902–1972),<br> Palo Alto Military Academy (1919–1972),<br> Harker Academy (1972–1993)}}
| type = [[Independent school|Independent]]
| type = [[Independent school|Independent]]
| gender = Coeducational
| gender = Coeducational
| grades = PreK–12
| grades = PreK–12
| head of school = Brian Yager
| head of school = Brian Yager
| tuition = Upper School: $53,800<ref>https://www.harker.org/admission/tuition-financial-aid</ref><br /> Middle School: $49,300<br /> Lower School: $41,400<br /> Preschool <br /> Full Day: $35,125
| tuition = Upper School: $53,800<ref>https://www.harker.org/admission/tuition-financial-aid</ref><br /> Middle School: $49,300<br /> Lower School: $41,400<br /> Preschool <br /> Full Day: $35,125
| dean =
| dean =
| faculty = 450
| faculty = 450
| students =
| students =
| enrollment = Upper School: 800 (approximate)
| enrollment = Upper School: 800 (approximate)
| athletics =
| athletics =
| conference =
| conference =
| colors = Green {{Color box|#05533e|border=darkgray}} and White {{Color box|White|border=darkgray}}
| colors = Green {{Color box|#05533e|border=darkgray}} and White {{Color box|White|border=darkgray}}
| mascot = Eagle
| location = Upper School: 500 Saratoga Ave.<br /> Middle School: 3800 Blackford Ave.<br /> Lower School: 4300 Bucknall Rd.<br /> Preschool: 4525 Union Ave.
| mascot = Eagle
| location = Upper School: 500 Saratoga Ave.<br /> Middle School: 3800 Blackford Ave.<br /> Lower School: 4300 Bucknall Rd.<br /> Preschool: 4525 Union Ave.
| coordinates = {{Coord|37.31322|N|121.9689|W|region:US-CA_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|37.31322|N|121.9689|W|region:US-CA_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| city = [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
| city = [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
| state = [[California]]
| state = [[California]]
| country = USA
| country = USA
| homepage = [http://www.harker.org/ www.harker.org]
| homepage = [http://www.harker.org/ www.harker.org]
}}
}}
The '''Harker School''' is a private, non-profit school in [[San Jose, California]], in [[Silicon Valley]]. Founded in 1893 as Manzanita Hall by Frank Cramer in [[Palo Alto]], Harker now has four campuses: Union, Bucknall, Blackford, and Saratoga, named after the streets on which they lie. The Union campus houses the Preschool, the Bucknall campus houses the Lower School ([[kindergarten]] through grade 5), the Blackford campus houses the Middle School (grades 6 through 8), and the Saratoga campus houses the Upper School (grades 9 through 12).
The '''Harker School''' is a private, non-profit school located in [[San Jose, California]], in [[Silicon Valley]]. Founded in 1893 as Manzanita Hall, Harker now has four campuses: Union, Bucknall, Blackford, and Saratoga, named after the streets on which they lie.


== Components ==
== About ==
The Union campus houses the [[preschool]], the Bucknall campus houses the Lower School ([[kindergarten]] through grade 5), the Blackford campus houses the Middle School (grades 6 through 8), and the Saratoga campus houses the Upper School (grades 9 through 12).


Harker School's tuition is significantly higher than most comparable private schools in the [[San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mullins|first=R.|date=2005-03-28|title=Costs Keep Rising At Private Schools|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2005/03/28/focus1.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Silicon Valley Business Journal}}</ref> Many of the 35+ after-school programs have historically been included in the tuition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2011-10-14|title=The Harker School helps children find their passion|url=https://www.jweekly.com/2011/10/14/the-harker-school-helps-children-find-their-passion/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-10|website=J. News, The Jewish News of Northern California|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Upper school ===
The upper school, offering grades 9 through 12, is located on the Saratoga Avenue campus. The campus was previously home to an all-girls school, Mother Butler Memorial High School, which merged with [[Archbishop Mitty High School]] in 1969.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005704/http://news.harker.org/former-residents-of-saratoga-campus-visit-share-memories/ Saratoga Campus History]</ref>


== History ==
The upper school was added to the K-8 program in 1998, with the first class of graduates in 2002.
[[File:Miss Harker's School Palo Alto.jpg|thumb|''Miss Harker's School'' (c. 1915) in Palo Alto, building designed by [[Ernest Coxhead]], of Coxhead and Coxhead|left|200x200px]]
The Harker School was founded as three distinct schools, which merged in 1972 to form Harker Academy and in 1993, Harker School.


=== Manzanita Hall and Palo Alto Military Academy ===
Currently, there are about 800 students in the upper school.
In 1893, the school was a boys day school and boarding school, by the name of ''Manzanita Hall'' founded by Frank Cramer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Sargent|first=Porter E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4KFeAAAAIAAJ|title=The Handbook of Private Schools|publisher=Geo. H. Ellis Company|year=1915|series=Sargent's handbook series|location=Boston, MA|pages=84, 162|language=en}}</ref> The ''Manzanita Hall'' school was originally located at 1129 Parkinson Avenue in [[Palo Alto, California|Palo Alto]], California.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Rogal|first=Samuel J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MX31JVNIQdwC|title=The American Pre-College Military School: A History and Comprehensive Catalog of Institutions|date=2009-03-24|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5329-0|pages=126|language=en}}</ref> In 1915, the enrollment was 60 boys.<ref name=":0" /> in 1919, ''Manzanita Hall'' was purchased and renamed as ''Palo Alto Military Academy'', and that school remained until 1972.<ref name=":1" />


=== Miss Harker's School ===
The school's sports mascot is an eagle, as referenced in the school song lyrics: "We can make a difference, you and I / Ride on wings of eagles to the sky."
In 1902, ''Miss Harker's School'' was founded by Cathrine Harker as a girls day school, with a limited boarding school, also located in Palo Alto.<ref name=":0" /> In 1917, the enrollment was 40 girls and was served as a preparatory school for competitive colleges such as [[Stanford University]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fcYVAQAAIAAJ|title=Western Journal of Education|date=January 1907|publisher=Harr Wagner Publishing Company|others=California Dept. of Public Instruction, California Dept. of Education|volume=Volume 12|pages=544|language=en}}</ref>


==== Academics ====
=== Harker Academy ===
In 1972, there was a merger between the ''Palo Alto Military Academy'' and ''Miss Harker's School'' in order to form the ''Harker Academy'' and moved to 500 Saratoga Avenue in San Jose, California.<ref name=":1" /> in 1993, the school name changed to ''Harker School''.


In 1954, the Harker School joined the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges|Western Association of Schools and College]]<nowiki/>s.
Harker has the highest ranking by the College Board for [[Advanced Placement Program|Advanced Placement]] test scores for [[AP Computer Science]], [[AP Psychology]], [[AP Chemistry]], [[AP Microeconomics]], and [[AP Calculus]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} In May 2014, 1,536 examinations were written by 513 students in grades 9–12. Scores of 4 and 5: 88 percent; scores of 3, 4 or 5: 97 percent. Harker had 10 perfect scores in AP Microeconomics in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2013/12/22/san-joses-harker-school-students-earn-perfect-scores-on-ap-economics-exam/|title=San Jose's Harker School students earn perfect scores on AP economics exam|date=2013-12-22|work=The Mercury News|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref>


== Campus ==
=====Academic Olympiad competitions=====
{{more citations needed|date=February 2018|section}}


=== Upper school ===
Harker school started competing at US Physics Olympiad in 2004 with Yi Sun winning the gold medal at International Physics Olympiad as part of the US team at South Korea.<ref>[https://www.aapt.org/olympiad2004/updates.cfm 1]</ref> A record three students in 2009 made the final 24 and Anand Natrajan representing the US team won the gold medal in Mexico.<ref>[https://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2009/ 1]</ref>
The upper school, offering grades 9 through 12, is located on the Saratoga Avenue campus. The campus was previously home to an all-girls school, ''Mother Butler Memorial High School'', which merged with [[Archbishop Mitty High School]] in 1969.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005704/http://news.harker.org/former-residents-of-saratoga-campus-visit-share-memories/ Saratoga Campus History]</ref> The upper school was added to the K-8 program in 1998, with the first class of graduates in 2002.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}


=== Middle school ===
=====Science research competitions=====
The middle school is located on the Blackford campus, the former site of [[Blackford High School (San Jose)|Blackford High School]]. The site has been rented since the 2005–2006 school year. Before 1998, grade 8 was the final year at Harker, and middle school graduates matriculated to private and public high schools in the Bay Area. Since the opening of the upper school in 1998, most students choose to remain at Harker School after middle school. Many components ease the shift from the lower school to the middle school, including various athletic and artistic programs. There is also a fine arts requirement: students in grades 7 and 8 must take at least one arts class or participate in one art event in order to graduate (sixth graders are encouraged to do so, as well).


=== Lower school ===
In the [[Siemens Competition]], Harker School had four national semifinalists in both 2006 and 2007, and six in 2008. In 2012, Harker had four regional finalists and six semifinalists: one-fourth of the regional finalists in California were from The Harker School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/siemens-competition-four-harker-regional-finalists-six-semifinalists/|title=Siemens Competition: Four Harker Regional Finalists, Six Semifinalists|work=Harker News|date=19 October 2012}}</ref><ref>https://www.siemens-foundation.org/fileadmin/user_upload/USA_Foundation/Programs/Siemens_Competition/2012_Finalists_Siemens_Competition.pdf</ref>
The elementary school is located on the Bucknall campus, the former site of ''Bucknall Elementary School''. The campus was sold to Harker School by the Moreland School District, and classes started there in the 1998–1999 school year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Delevett|first=Peter|date=February 9, 1998|title=Harker plans to establish high-tech high school|work=Silicon Valley Business Journal|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/1998/02/09/story5.html}}</ref> The lower school also has an after-school orchestra, as well as sports and other activities.


== Academics ==
The Harker School started participating in the Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search competition with its first graduating class of 2002. Between the first graduating class of 2002 until 2019 Harker high school has produced a record 92 semi-finalists and 18 finalists.<ref>[[Regeneron Science Talent Search|1]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=March 2019}} In just 17 years Harker High School has become one of the top three high schools in the USA with a total number of 18 finalists and top ten high schools in the total number of 92 semi-finalists.<ref>[[Regeneron Science Talent Search|1]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=March 2019}}.


Harker has a high ranking by the College Board for [[Advanced Placement Program|Advanced Placement]] test scores for [[AP Computer Science]], [[AP Psychology]], [[AP Chemistry]], [[AP Microeconomics]], and [[AP Calculus]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
In the [[Intel Science Talent Search]], a Harker student won the $75,000 second place award in 2006. From 2007 to 2009, 12 Harker School seniors were named national semifinalists, the largest number of any school west of the Mississippi in those years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/traffic/ci_7995408|title=South Bay places 8 among nation's top high school scientists|work=mercurynews.com|date=17 January 2008}}</ref> In 2010, Harker School had another Intel finalist,.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/opinion/21friedman.html|title=America's Real Dream Team|last=Friedman|first=Thomas|date=20 March 2010|work=New York Times}}</ref> In 2011, Harker School had seven semifinalists and was the only school with two Intel finalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_17209589|title=6 Bay Area students named finalists in Intel Science Talent Search|work=mercurynews.com|date=26 January 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Harker School had 11 Intel semifinalists, the most in California and second in the nation behind [[Stuyvesant High School]] in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/harker-once-again-sets-record-for-california-intel-semifinalists/|title=[Updated] Eleven Intel Semifinalists: Most in California, Second in the U.S.|work=Harker News|date=18 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=333 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128134011/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=333 |archive-date=2016-11-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2013, Harker School again had six Intel semifinalists, the most in California for the second year in a row, and one finalist.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=442 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095254/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=442 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=459 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402230315/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=459 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014 Intel STS Harker had 10 semi-finalists, most of any school in California and one finalists. In 2015 Intel STS Harker had record 15 semi-finalists, most of any school in the USA and three finalists, again most of any school in USA with a student winning the first prize of $150,000.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/the-next-generation-of-stem/articles/2015/05/12/san-jose-high-school-senior-wins-global-good-prize-for-genetic-research 1]</ref> In 2016 Intel STS Harker had four semi-finalists and one finalists.<ref>[https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-sts-2015 1]</ref>


===Academic Olympiad competitions===
In the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search competition, Harker had seven semi-finalists, the most of any school in California and three finalists, tied with another school as the most of any school in USA.<ref>[https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts-2019-finalists 1]</ref> In 2018 Regeneron STS Harker had six semi-finalists, tied as most of any school in California and two finalists. In 2017 Regeneron STS Harker had nine semi-finalists, tied as most of any school in USA with two other schools and had three finalists most of any school alone in USA.<ref>[https://student.societyforscience.org/search?st=regeneron%20sts%202017%20finalists 1]</ref>
Harker school started competing at US Physics Olympiad in 2004 with Yi Sun winning the gold medal at International Physics Olympiad as part of the US team at South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2004|title=2004 Physics Olympics|url=https://www.aapt.org/olympiad2004/updates.cfm|url-status=live|website=aapt.org}}</ref> In 2009, a record 3 students made the final 24, and Anand Natarajan of Harker School, representing the US team won the gold medal in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet the team: Anand Natarajan|url=https://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2009/team.cfm?id=654|url-status=live|website=aapt.org}}</ref>


===Science research competitions===
====Athletics====
Harker School offers an athletics program which includes [[American football|football]], [[volleyball]], [[Football (soccer)|soccer]], [[track and field]], [[basketball]], [[baseball]], [[tennis]], [[golf]], [[softball]], [[lacrosse]], [[road running|cross country running]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[water polo]], [[scholastic wrestling|wrestling]], [[cheerleading]], [[yoga]], [[Physical fitness|fitness]], [[physical education]], and [[dance]]. Students are encouraged to participate in sports from 4th grade onwards. Some sports, such as lacrosse, diving, track and field, and tennis, are only offered in middle school and high school. Most sports are separated by gender, but others remain co-ed. Harker School is in the [[Central Coast Section]] of the [[California Interscholastic Federation]] and is classified as Division III in some sports and Division IV in others.


In the [[Siemens Competition]], Harker School had four national semi-finalists in both 2006 and 2007, and six in 2008. In 2012, Harker had four regional finalists and six semifinalists: one-fourth of the regional finalists in California were from The Harker School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/siemens-competition-four-harker-regional-finalists-six-semifinalists/|title=Siemens Competition: Four Harker Regional Finalists, Six Semifinalists|work=Harker News|date=19 October 2012}}</ref><ref>https://www.siemens-foundation.org/fileadmin/user_upload/USA_Foundation/Programs/Siemens_Competition/2012_Finalists_Siemens_Competition.pdf</ref>
In August 2017, Harker finished construction on their new athletic center on the upper school campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/harker-celebrates-historic-milestone-as-athletic-center-opens/|title=Harker celebrates milestone as athletic center opens|website=news.harker.org|date=28 August 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref>


The Harker School started participating in the Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search competition with its first graduating class of 2002. Between the first graduating class of 2002 until 2019 Harker high school has produced a record 92 semi-finalists and 18 finalists.<ref>[[Regeneron Science Talent Search|1]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=March 2019}} In just 17 years Harker High School has become one of the top three high schools in the USA with a total number of 18 finalists and top ten high schools in the total number of 92 semi-finalists.<ref>[[Regeneron Science Talent Search|1]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=March 2019}}.
==== Performing arts ====
Harker School offers a K–12 performing arts program. The upper school program offers courses in vocal and instrumental ensembles, acting, dance, and technical theater, as well as a program named the Certificate Program.


In the [[Intel Science Talent Search]], a Harker student won the $75,000 second place award in 2006. From 2007 to 2009, 12 Harker School seniors were named national semifinalists, the largest number of any school west of the Mississippi in those years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/traffic/ci_7995408|title=South Bay places 8 among nation's top high school scientists|work=mercurynews.com|date=17 January 2008}}</ref> In 2010, Harker School had another Intel finalist,.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/opinion/21friedman.html|title=America's Real Dream Team|last=Friedman|first=Thomas|date=20 March 2010|work=New York Times}}</ref> In 2011, Harker School had seven semifinalists and was the only school with two Intel finalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_17209589|title=6 Bay Area students named finalists in Intel Science Talent Search|work=mercurynews.com|date=26 January 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Harker School had 11 Intel semifinalists, the most in California and second in the nation behind [[Stuyvesant High School]] in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/harker-once-again-sets-record-for-california-intel-semifinalists/|title=[Updated] Eleven Intel Semifinalists: Most in California, Second in the U.S.|work=Harker News|date=18 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=333 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128134011/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=333 |archive-date=2016-11-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2013, Harker School again had six Intel semifinalists, the most in California for the second year in a row, and one finalist.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=442 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095254/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=442 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=459 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402230315/https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=459 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014 Intel STS Harker had 10 semi-finalists, most of any school in California and one finalists. In 2015 Intel STS Harker had record 15 semi-finalists, most of any school in the USA and three finalists, again most of any school in USA with a student winning the first prize of $150,000.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/the-next-generation-of-stem/articles/2015/05/12/san-jose-high-school-senior-wins-global-good-prize-for-genetic-research 1]</ref> In 2016 Intel STS Harker had four semi-finalists and one finalists.<ref>[https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-sts-2015 1]</ref>
This Certificate Program allows upper school students to "major" in a specific discipline within the performing arts, requiring them to take specialized classes and participate in performances in order to graduate.{{cn|date=June 2021}} Students are guided by an advisor. All upper school performing arts teachers remain active professionals in their respective disciplines. At the end of their senior years, candidates perform a piece from their portfolios at a formal senior showcase and receive their certificate designating completion of the program.


In the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search competition, Harker had seven semi-finalists, the most of any school in California and three finalists, tied with another school as the most of any school in USA.<ref>[https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts-2019-finalists 1]</ref> In 2018 Regeneron STS Harker had six semi-finalists, tied as most of any school in California and two finalists. In 2017 Regeneron STS Harker had nine semi-finalists, tied as most of any school in USA with two other schools and had three finalists most of any school alone in USA.<ref>[https://student.societyforscience.org/search?st=regeneron%20sts%202017%20finalists 1]</ref>
Harker School's musical theater department has been invited four times to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in 2007 (''Urinetown: The Musical''), 2011 (''Pippin''), 2015 (''Into the Woods''), and 2019 (''Urinetown: The Musical'').{{cn|date=June 2021}} The orchestra played at Carnegie Hall in 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/orchestra-travels-to-new-york-to-perform-at-carnegie-hall/|title=Orchestra travels to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall|website=news.harker.org|date=7 April 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> and performed by invitation at the 2012 London New Year's Parade and Alice Tully Hall in 2009. Cantilena, a classical women's vocal ensemble, toured Italy in 2012.{{cn|date=June 2021}}


==Athletics==
Vocal groups in the upper school include the show choir Downbeat!, the classical choir Cantilena, the chamber choir Camerata, and the beginning choir Bel Canto, as well as an SATB a cappella group, Signature.{{cn|date=June 2021}}
Harker School offers an athletics program which includes [[American football|football]], [[volleyball]], [[Football (soccer)|soccer]], [[track and field]], [[basketball]], [[baseball]], [[tennis]], [[golf]], [[softball]], [[lacrosse]], [[road running|cross country running]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[water polo]], [[scholastic wrestling|wrestling]], [[cheerleading]], [[yoga]], [[Physical fitness|fitness]], [[physical education]], and [[dance]]. Students are encouraged to participate in sports from 4th grade onwards. In August 2017, Harker finished construction on their new athletic center on the upper school campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/harker-celebrates-historic-milestone-as-athletic-center-opens/|title=Harker celebrates milestone as athletic center opens|website=news.harker.org|date=28 August 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref>


== Performing arts ==
Harker School organizes a play each fall, a musical each spring, and a student-directed showcase each winter.
Harker School offers a K–12 performing arts program. The upper school program offers courses in vocal and instrumental ensembles, acting, dance, and technical theater, as well as a program named the Certificate Program. In February 2018, Harker opened a new performing arts building on the Saratoga campus, which includes a 463-seat theater, dressing rooms and practice rooms,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://harkeraquila.com/40180/news/rothschild-performing-arts-center-opens-inaugurates-new-era-for-arts/|title=Rothschild Performing Arts Center opens, inaugurates new era for arts|last=Fang|first=Kathy|work=Harker Aquila|access-date=2018-03-13|language=en-US}}</ref> and a Bosendorfer 214VC CS grand piano.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/students-bringing-rothschild-performing-arts-center-to-life-at-grand-opening-feb-2/|title=Students bringing Rothschild Performing Arts Center to life at grand opening Feb. 2|website=news.harker.org|date=12 December 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref>


==Publications==
Harker's instrumental music program includes an orchestra and a jazz band, and as of the 2012–13 school year, a "Lab Band" jazz ensemble for underclassmen.{{cn|date=June 2021}}

The dance program at Harker School focuses on many different styles of dance, and encourages Upper School Dance Conservatory students to choreograph many of the numbers in the annual Upper School Dance Production at the end of January. Three audition-only groups, Varsity Dance Troupe, Junior Varsity Dance Troupe, and Kinetic Krew, perform at various events and venues throughout the school year.{{cn|date=June 2021}}

In 2014, eight singers from Harker School were named to the All-State Choir.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.acdacal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AllBySchool-PostedList.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122020534/http://www.acdacal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AllBySchool-PostedList.pdf |archive-date=2015-01-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In February 2018, Harker finished construction on their new performing arts building on the Saratoga campus, which includes a 463-seat theater, dressing rooms and practice rooms,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://harkeraquila.com/40180/news/rothschild-performing-arts-center-opens-inaugurates-new-era-for-arts/|title=Rothschild Performing Arts Center opens, inaugurates new era for arts|last=Fang|first=Kathy|work=Harker Aquila|access-date=2018-03-13|language=en-US}}</ref> and a Bosendorfer 214VC CS grand piano.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/students-bringing-rothschild-performing-arts-center-to-life-at-grand-opening-feb-2/|title=Students bringing Rothschild Performing Arts Center to life at grand opening Feb. 2|website=news.harker.org|date=12 December 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref>

====Publications====

Harker has a school newspaper (''Winged Post''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/harkeraqila|title=Harker Aquila|website=issuu|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> yearbook (''Talon''), news website (Harker Aquila, formerly talonwp.com),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harkeraquila.com|title=Harker Aquila – The student news site of The Harker School.|website=harkeraquila.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> and news magazine (''Wingspan''), as well as a social media presence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Harkeraquila/|title=Harker Aquila|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/harkeraquila?lang=en|title=Harker Aquila (@HarkerAquila) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>
Harker also has a science research magazine, ''Harker Horizon'', which has an online presence<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://horizon.harker.org|title=Harker Horizon|website=horizon.harker.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> and printed its inaugural issue in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://harkeraquila.com/36693/onlineexclusive/student-run-science-magazine-harker-horizon-releases-first-issue/|title=Student-run science magazine Harker Horizon releases first issue|last=Guan|first=Rose|work=Harker Aquila|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, Harker began an economics magazine, ''Equilibrium,'' in 2019, and will maintain both an online presence and print its inaugural version in Summer 2020.

The school's art and literature magazine, ''HELM'', has published 17 print issues as of late 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://issuu.com/theharkerschool/docs/helm__volume_17______srgb_profile_i|title=HELM [Volume 17]|work=issuu|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en}}</ref>

=== Middle school ===
The middle school is located on the Blackford campus, the former site of [[Blackford High School (San Jose)|Blackford High School]]. The site has been rented since the 2005–06 school year. Before 1998, grade 8 was the final year at Harker, and middle school graduates matriculated to private and public high schools in the Bay Area. Since the opening of the upper school in 1998, most students choose to remain at Harker School after middle school. Many components ease the shift from the lower school to the middle school, including various athletic and artistic programs. There is also a fine arts requirement: students in grades 7 and 8 must take at least one arts class or participate in one art event in order to graduate (sixth graders are encouraged to do so, as well).

=== Lower school ===
The elementary school is located on the Bucknall campus, the former site of Bucknall Elementary School. The campus was sold to Harker School by the Moreland School District, and classes started there in the 1998–99 school year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/1998/02/09/story5.html|title=Harker plans to establish high-tech high school|work=Silicon Valley Business Journal}}</ref> The lower school also has an after-school orchestra, as well as sports and other activities.


Harker has a school newspaper (''Winged Post''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/harkeraqila|title=Harker Aquila|website=issuu|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> yearbook (''Talon''), news website (Harker Aquila, formerly talonwp.com),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harkeraquila.com|title=Harker Aquila – The student news site of The Harker School.|website=harkeraquila.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> and news magazine (''Wingspan''), as well as a social media presence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Harkeraquila/|title=Harker Aquila|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/harkeraquila?lang=en|title=Harker Aquila (@HarkerAquila) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> Harker also has a science research magazine, ''Harker Horizon'', which has an online presence<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://horizon.harker.org|title=Harker Horizon|website=horizon.harker.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> and printed its inaugural issue in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://harkeraquila.com/36693/onlineexclusive/student-run-science-magazine-harker-horizon-releases-first-issue/|title=Student-run science magazine Harker Horizon releases first issue|last=Guan|first=Rose|work=Harker Aquila|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, Harker began an economics magazine, ''Equilibrium,'' in 2019, and will maintain both an online presence and print its inaugural version in Summer 2020.
== Conservation ==
In December 2014, Harker School received a commendation from the City of San Jose for more than quadrupling recycling on campus, from 15 percent to almost 70 percent of materials, since 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/News/ci_27144283/Harker-honored-for-recycling-increase|title=Harker honored for recycling increase|work=mercurynews.com|date=15 December 2014}}</ref>


The school's art and literature magazine (''HELM),'' has published 17 print issues as of late 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://issuu.com/theharkerschool/docs/helm__volume_17______srgb_profile_i|title=HELM [Volume 17]|work=issuu|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en}}</ref>
== Tuition ==
Harker School's tuition is significantly higher than most comparable private schools in the [[San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harker.org/page.cfm?p=112|title=The Harker School: Tuition and Financial Aid|work=harker.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://admissions.ndsj.org/s/1168/RtCol.aspx?sid=1168&gid=1&pgid=305|title=Notre Dame High School San Jose – Tuition/Financial Aid|work=ndsj.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pres-net.com/admissions/tuition.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201231101/http://www.pres-net.com/admissions/tuition.html |archive-date=2010-12-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sfhs.com/admissions/tuition.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716045947/http://www.sfhs.com/admissions/tuition.aspx |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Notable alumni and faculty==
==Notable alumni and faculty==
*[[Priscilla Chan (philanthropist)|Priscilla Chan]], Former faculty; philanthropist and pediatrician; wife of [[Mark Zuckerberg]]. Taught for one year 2007-2008 before entering Medical School.
*[[Priscilla Chan (philanthropist)|Priscilla Chan]] (former faculty in 2007 to 2008), philanthropist and pediatrician; wife of [[Mark Zuckerberg]].
*[[Maverick McNealy]], Class of 2013;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/mav-mcnealy-13-honored-by-san-jose-sports-hall-of-fame-as-top-world-amateur/|title=Mav McNealy '13 honored by San Jose Sports Hall of Fame as top amateur|date=3 November 2016}}</ref> number one ranked golfer in the [[World Amateur Golf Ranking]]; son of [[Scott McNealy]]
*[[Maverick McNealy]] (class of 2013),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/mav-mcnealy-13-honored-by-san-jose-sports-hall-of-fame-as-top-world-amateur/|title=Mav McNealy '13 honored by San Jose Sports Hall of Fame as top amateur|date=3 November 2016}}</ref> number one ranked golfer in the [[World Amateur Golf Ranking]]; son of [[Scott McNealy]].
*[[Andrea Nott]], Olympic [[synchronised swimming|synchronized swimmer]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/?p=1174|title=Harker Olympian Recalls Time in Beijing|date=17 October 2008}}</ref>
*[[Andrea Nott]], Olympic [[synchronised swimming|synchronized swimmer]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/?p=1174|title=Harker Olympian Recalls Time in Beijing|date=17 October 2008}}</ref>
*[[John B. Owens]], Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/?p=23365|title = Harker Alumnus Appointed Judge of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals|date = 21 July 2014}}</ref>
*[[John B. Owens]], Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.harker.org/?p=23365|title = Harker Alumnus Appointed Judge of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals|date = 21 July 2014}}</ref>

Revision as of 20:20, 10 September 2021

The Harker School
Nichols Hall
Location
Map
Upper School: 500 Saratoga Ave.
Middle School: 3800 Blackford Ave.
Lower School: 4300 Bucknall Rd.
Preschool: 4525 Union Ave.

San Jose
,
California

United States
Coordinates37°18′48″N 121°58′08″W / 37.31322°N 121.9689°W / 37.31322; -121.9689
Information
Former namesManzanita Hall (1893–1919),
Miss Harker's School (1902–1972),
Palo Alto Military Academy (1919–1972),
Harker Academy (1972–1993)
TypeIndependent
MottoK through Life
Established1893, as Manzanita Hall
Head of schoolBrian Yager
Faculty450
GradesPreK–12
GenderCoeducational
EnrollmentUpper School: 800 (approximate)
Color(s)Green   and White  
MascotEagle
TuitionUpper School: $53,800[1]
Middle School: $49,300
Lower School: $41,400
Preschool
Full Day: $35,125
Websitewww.harker.org

The Harker School is a private, non-profit school located in San Jose, California, in Silicon Valley. Founded in 1893 as Manzanita Hall, Harker now has four campuses: Union, Bucknall, Blackford, and Saratoga, named after the streets on which they lie.

About

The Union campus houses the preschool, the Bucknall campus houses the Lower School (kindergarten through grade 5), the Blackford campus houses the Middle School (grades 6 through 8), and the Saratoga campus houses the Upper School (grades 9 through 12).

Harker School's tuition is significantly higher than most comparable private schools in the Bay Area.[2] Many of the 35+ after-school programs have historically been included in the tuition.[3]

History

Miss Harker's School (c. 1915) in Palo Alto, building designed by Ernest Coxhead, of Coxhead and Coxhead

The Harker School was founded as three distinct schools, which merged in 1972 to form Harker Academy and in 1993, Harker School.

Manzanita Hall and Palo Alto Military Academy

In 1893, the school was a boys day school and boarding school, by the name of Manzanita Hall founded by Frank Cramer.[4] The Manzanita Hall school was originally located at 1129 Parkinson Avenue in Palo Alto, California.[5] In 1915, the enrollment was 60 boys.[4] in 1919, Manzanita Hall was purchased and renamed as Palo Alto Military Academy, and that school remained until 1972.[5]

Miss Harker's School

In 1902, Miss Harker's School was founded by Cathrine Harker as a girls day school, with a limited boarding school, also located in Palo Alto.[4] In 1917, the enrollment was 40 girls and was served as a preparatory school for competitive colleges such as Stanford University.[6]

Harker Academy

In 1972, there was a merger between the Palo Alto Military Academy and Miss Harker's School in order to form the Harker Academy and moved to 500 Saratoga Avenue in San Jose, California.[5] in 1993, the school name changed to Harker School.

In 1954, the Harker School joined the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Campus

Upper school

The upper school, offering grades 9 through 12, is located on the Saratoga Avenue campus. The campus was previously home to an all-girls school, Mother Butler Memorial High School, which merged with Archbishop Mitty High School in 1969.[7] The upper school was added to the K-8 program in 1998, with the first class of graduates in 2002.[citation needed]

Middle school

The middle school is located on the Blackford campus, the former site of Blackford High School. The site has been rented since the 2005–2006 school year. Before 1998, grade 8 was the final year at Harker, and middle school graduates matriculated to private and public high schools in the Bay Area. Since the opening of the upper school in 1998, most students choose to remain at Harker School after middle school. Many components ease the shift from the lower school to the middle school, including various athletic and artistic programs. There is also a fine arts requirement: students in grades 7 and 8 must take at least one arts class or participate in one art event in order to graduate (sixth graders are encouraged to do so, as well).

Lower school

The elementary school is located on the Bucknall campus, the former site of Bucknall Elementary School. The campus was sold to Harker School by the Moreland School District, and classes started there in the 1998–1999 school year.[8] The lower school also has an after-school orchestra, as well as sports and other activities.

Academics

Harker has a high ranking by the College Board for Advanced Placement test scores for AP Computer Science, AP Psychology, AP Chemistry, AP Microeconomics, and AP Calculus.[citation needed]

Academic Olympiad competitions

Harker school started competing at US Physics Olympiad in 2004 with Yi Sun winning the gold medal at International Physics Olympiad as part of the US team at South Korea.[9] In 2009, a record 3 students made the final 24, and Anand Natarajan of Harker School, representing the US team won the gold medal in Mexico.[10]

Science research competitions

In the Siemens Competition, Harker School had four national semi-finalists in both 2006 and 2007, and six in 2008. In 2012, Harker had four regional finalists and six semifinalists: one-fourth of the regional finalists in California were from The Harker School.[11][12]

The Harker School started participating in the Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search competition with its first graduating class of 2002. Between the first graduating class of 2002 until 2019 Harker high school has produced a record 92 semi-finalists and 18 finalists.[13][circular reference] In just 17 years Harker High School has become one of the top three high schools in the USA with a total number of 18 finalists and top ten high schools in the total number of 92 semi-finalists.[14][circular reference].

In the Intel Science Talent Search, a Harker student won the $75,000 second place award in 2006. From 2007 to 2009, 12 Harker School seniors were named national semifinalists, the largest number of any school west of the Mississippi in those years.[15] In 2010, Harker School had another Intel finalist,.[16] In 2011, Harker School had seven semifinalists and was the only school with two Intel finalists.[17] In 2012, Harker School had 11 Intel semifinalists, the most in California and second in the nation behind Stuyvesant High School in New York.[18][19] In 2013, Harker School again had six Intel semifinalists, the most in California for the second year in a row, and one finalist.[20][21] In 2014 Intel STS Harker had 10 semi-finalists, most of any school in California and one finalists. In 2015 Intel STS Harker had record 15 semi-finalists, most of any school in the USA and three finalists, again most of any school in USA with a student winning the first prize of $150,000.[22] In 2016 Intel STS Harker had four semi-finalists and one finalists.[23]

In the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search competition, Harker had seven semi-finalists, the most of any school in California and three finalists, tied with another school as the most of any school in USA.[24] In 2018 Regeneron STS Harker had six semi-finalists, tied as most of any school in California and two finalists. In 2017 Regeneron STS Harker had nine semi-finalists, tied as most of any school in USA with two other schools and had three finalists most of any school alone in USA.[25]

Athletics

Harker School offers an athletics program which includes football, volleyball, soccer, track and field, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, softball, lacrosse, cross country running, swimming, water polo, wrestling, cheerleading, yoga, fitness, physical education, and dance. Students are encouraged to participate in sports from 4th grade onwards. In August 2017, Harker finished construction on their new athletic center on the upper school campus.[26]

Performing arts

Harker School offers a K–12 performing arts program. The upper school program offers courses in vocal and instrumental ensembles, acting, dance, and technical theater, as well as a program named the Certificate Program. In February 2018, Harker opened a new performing arts building on the Saratoga campus, which includes a 463-seat theater, dressing rooms and practice rooms,[27] and a Bosendorfer 214VC CS grand piano.[28]

Publications

Harker has a school newspaper (Winged Post),[29] yearbook (Talon), news website (Harker Aquila, formerly talonwp.com),[30] and news magazine (Wingspan), as well as a social media presence.[31][32] Harker also has a science research magazine, Harker Horizon, which has an online presence[33] and printed its inaugural issue in 2017.[34] In addition, Harker began an economics magazine, Equilibrium, in 2019, and will maintain both an online presence and print its inaugural version in Summer 2020.

The school's art and literature magazine (HELM), has published 17 print issues as of late 2017.[35]

Notable alumni and faculty

References

  1. ^ https://www.harker.org/admission/tuition-financial-aid
  2. ^ Mullins, R. (2005-03-28). "Costs Keep Rising At Private Schools". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 2021-09-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "The Harker School helps children find their passion". J. News, The Jewish News of Northern California. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2021-09-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b c Sargent, Porter E. (1915). The Handbook of Private Schools. Sargent's handbook series. Boston, MA: Geo. H. Ellis Company. pp. 84, 162.
  5. ^ a b c Rogal, Samuel J. (2009-03-24). The American Pre-College Military School: A History and Comprehensive Catalog of Institutions. McFarland. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7864-5329-0.
  6. ^ Western Journal of Education. Vol. Volume 12. California Dept. of Public Instruction, California Dept. of Education. Harr Wagner Publishing Company. January 1907. p. 544. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ^ Saratoga Campus History
  8. ^ Delevett, Peter (February 9, 1998). "Harker plans to establish high-tech high school". Silicon Valley Business Journal.
  9. ^ "2004 Physics Olympics". aapt.org. July 22, 2004.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Meet the team: Anand Natarajan". aapt.org.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Siemens Competition: Four Harker Regional Finalists, Six Semifinalists". Harker News. 19 October 2012.
  12. ^ https://www.siemens-foundation.org/fileadmin/user_upload/USA_Foundation/Programs/Siemens_Competition/2012_Finalists_Siemens_Competition.pdf
  13. ^ 1
  14. ^ 1
  15. ^ "South Bay places 8 among nation's top high school scientists". mercurynews.com. 17 January 2008.
  16. ^ Friedman, Thomas (20 March 2010). "America's Real Dream Team". New York Times.
  17. ^ "6 Bay Area students named finalists in Intel Science Talent Search". mercurynews.com. 26 January 2011.
  18. ^ "[Updated] Eleven Intel Semifinalists: Most in California, Second in the U.S." Harker News. 18 January 2012.
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-28. Retrieved 2019-01-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ 1
  23. ^ 1
  24. ^ 1
  25. ^ 1
  26. ^ "Harker celebrates milestone as athletic center opens". news.harker.org. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  27. ^ Fang, Kathy. "Rothschild Performing Arts Center opens, inaugurates new era for arts". Harker Aquila. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  28. ^ "Students bringing Rothschild Performing Arts Center to life at grand opening Feb. 2". news.harker.org. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  29. ^ "Harker Aquila". issuu. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  30. ^ "Harker Aquila – The student news site of The Harker School". harkeraquila.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  31. ^ "Harker Aquila". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  32. ^ "Harker Aquila (@HarkerAquila) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  33. ^ "Harker Horizon". horizon.harker.org. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  34. ^ Guan, Rose. "Student-run science magazine Harker Horizon releases first issue". Harker Aquila. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  35. ^ "HELM [Volume 17]". issuu. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  36. ^ "Mav McNealy '13 honored by San Jose Sports Hall of Fame as top amateur". 3 November 2016.
  37. ^ "Harker Olympian Recalls Time in Beijing". 17 October 2008.
  38. ^ "Harker Alumnus Appointed Judge of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals". 21 July 2014.
  39. ^ "Alumnus Wang Named to Forbes 30 Under 30: Art & Design for Award-Winning Lifestyle Brand". 20 December 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  40. ^ "Alexander Wang: The World's 100 Most Influential People". Time. April 15, 2015.
  41. ^ "Never a Dull Moment for Alumni Working in the Fast-Paced World of Visual Media". 25 February 2014.
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