You can give students a seat at the table.
The Harkness House began as a question: What kind of middle school would we build if we started from scratch? We had a lot of ideas, and we kept coming back to the fundamental responsibility to give adolescent learners the time, attention, and autonomy they need and deserve. And that’s how we found our mission:
…to give every student a seat at the table where we inspire intrinsic curiosity, foster individual creativity, and promote intellectual rigor.
The Harkness House is an independent, nonprofit middle school founded by a small group of professional educators who have decades of experience working in traditional schools. We know what works, what needs work, and what won’t work. We’re committed to doing better with middle level education by inviting our students to be true partners in their own learning. Our unique approach leverages the lessons learned from the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 shutdown to enhance the in-person instruction that is so essential to student growth. While traditional schools have been busy getting back to normal, we’ve been busy imagining a new and improved normal. Our vision of a radically evolved educational experience engages, empowers, and challenges every student every day.
Why set the table in middle school?
At The Harkness House we know that the middle matters, and it’s too often overlooked. That’s why we’re passionate about committing 100% of our resources to middle schoolers, students who get less attention right when they need more.
The middle school years mark a time of exponential developmental and intellectual growth. Sadly, in traditional classrooms this time is often lost in overcrowded classrooms that become teacher dominated rather than student driven.
Our classrooms are amazing places where students have real autonomy to learn how to think in an environment free from pressures about what to think.
Every student deserves a seat at the table.
We know we can transform the middle school experience for students and families. We also know every middle schooler deserves a seat at the table, regardless of their financial resources. Your support can provide students the opportunity to access their full potential in classes that are highly engaging and push their education beyond traditional trajectories.
Help us build the table where students have a real seat.
