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Supporting Harley

You can impact the strength of Harley today and into the future!

The entire Harley community places great value upon the quality and uniqueness of the Harley experience. The Harley Fund enables this outstanding program every day, and special campaigns like the Lives of Great Purpose Campaign raise the profile of the school through focused priorities for a fixed period of time.

As an independent school, the quality of our educational experience depends on the generosity of our community. If you believe in the Harley mission and guiding principles, please consider supporting this year’s Harley Fund effort, other special campaigns such as the Sands Challenge for Faculty Compensationor consider The Harley School when planning your estate.

MAKE BETTER POSSIBLE

Philanthropy is the game-changer in independent school education. Because Harley does not receive funds from the government or religious institutions, donations are what make academic excellence and more personalized attention for students possible.

BE PART OF BRINGING THE BEST ACADEMICS FOR OUR STUDENTS

Your support allows for professional development opportunities each year for our faculty. From attending conferences to bringing in experts who share their research and best practices, our faculty seek opportunities to keep their teaching up to speed with the latest in academic excellence.

MEASURING UP

Current family and alumni participation rates are measured by corporations and foundations to evaluate the health and viability of a school like Harley. Participation is a major consideration when awarding grant support.

EYE ON THE FUTURE

The ongoing stability and fiscal health of our school serves to maintain the value of graduating from The Harley School.

HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT

All aspects of the Harley experience depend on support for the Harley Fund, including—innovative and challenging academic areas such as science, arts, athletics and Commons sustainability programs; professional development to provide the latest research and strategies to faculty for the benefit of students; technology, equipment and facilities; financial aid and much more.

PRESERVE THE HARLEY MISSION AS A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL

As much as 40% of the Harley student body received some form of financial aid in recent years. With $3 million a year directed to need-based financial aid, your contribution helps ensure Harley’s commitment to being a diverse and inclusive school.

Monthly Giving

Choose the “Pledge to Give” option from our secure online giving form (next to “Make a Single Gift”) to make your gift through monthly, recurring installments. 

Online Gifts

Making a gift online is convenient and secure through our site, at the giving form.

Check 

Personal check payable to: The Harley School, 1981 Clover Street, Rochester NY 14618

Pledges 

Contact Karen Saludo, Associate Director of Development, to learn about making a pledge to give within the current Harley Fund year, payable by June 15. Pledges for capital projects or endowed funds are payable over a five-year period. 

Almost Alumni! Senior Family Gift

The Harley School is strong because families of current students support the school through their giving. The Senior year provides a great opportunity to honor a graduating student and / or a faculty member who was an inspiring teacher, role model or mentor. To make a gift online, click here.

Appreciated securities/stock

You may reap significant tax advantages when you donate appreciated stock or property. Savings depend upon individual circumstances and should be discussed with personal financial and tax advisors. 

If you wish to donate stock or other appreciated assets, please notify Karen Saludo, Associate Director of Development, at 585-277-1117 or ksaludo@harleyschool.org.

Please contact our broker and use the following in making your transfer:

Morgan Stanley

Attn: Sherie A. Connorton

300 Linden Oaks

Rochester, NY 14625

(585) 385-5168

Toll-Free 1-800-825-5334

Fax (585) 465-0808

sherie.a.connorton@morganstanley.com

DTC# 0015

Account #: 881-112605-285

Account Name: The Harley School

Planned Giving

Make an impactful gift to Harley, now or in the future, while gaining immediate or estate tax benefits for you or your heirs. Giving opportunities that offer tax savings and benefits include wills, life insurance, life income gifts, charitable trusts, and real estate. For more information please contact Director of Development Holly Beaston at (585) 277-1116 or hbeaston@harleyschool.org.

Matching Gifts

Many companies match employee donations. To find out if this is an option for you, please contact your employer’s Human Resources department or contact us in the Development Office at 585-442-1770.

Faculty and Staff Gifts by Payroll Deduction

WE ALREADY PAY TUITION, WHY DONATE ON TOP OF THAT?

Your gift supports people and programs that make Harley a one-of-a-kind community and learning experience for students. Talented teachers, small classes, and programs from academics to the arts and athletics are possible because of your support. This all translates to more personal attention and access to Harley’s outstanding faculty. Since independent schools do not receive funds from the government or religious institutions, we depend on philanthropy in addition to tuition to provide a first-rate education for our students.

DOES A SMALL GIFT MAKE AN IMPACT?

Yes! Similar to other independent schools of its type, Harley has fewer supporters than a university or large charity. Because the number who can give is small and the need is large, every gift counts. Regardless of the size of the gift, it is an expression of your support and belief in our school. Participation matters!

WHY IS PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?

High participation is a vote of confidence, a sign that parents and alumni support the school’s mission. We strive for 100% participation. The high percentage is immeasurable when we are seeking gifts from outside sources, such as grants, as most foundations consider participation before agreeing to donate funds to a school.

HOW LARGE A GIFT?

This is a question that only you can answer. Because of the direct impact these gifts have on the day-to-day activities at Harley, we hope you will give at the highest level you feel is most comfortable. Every gift counts.

CAN YOU PROVIDE A MATCH TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO GIVE?

Everyone loves to hear that someone else will match their gift. If you are in a position to be a matching donor, please contact us today. Whether you can offer to match up to $1,000 or much more, we would love to hear from you! Please call the Development Office at 585-442-1770.

BEST TIME TO GIVE?

We encourage individuals and families to pledge and make gifts early in the school year (between September and December). Early donations translate into lower administrative and communications costs per dollar raised. You may, however, give at any time during the Harley Fund period, which runs from July 1 through June 30 each year. We request that all gifts be made by June 15 in order to be counted in the current fiscal year.

CAN I SPREAD OUT PAYMENTS?

You may spread your payments out over time. While your pledge amount to the Harley Fund must all be paid before June 30, you may elect to pay monthly, quarterly, etc. The Development Office will be happy to help, once you have determined the right plan for you.

CAN I DESIGNATE A GIFT?

Donations may be designated to Areas of Greatest Need, Faculty Professional Development or Financial Aid, just to name a few examples.

Reports on Giving

Report on Giving 2021-2022

Report on Giving 2020-2021

Report on Giving 2019-2020

Report on Giving 2018-2019

Report on Giving – Centennial Edition – 2016-2018

The Harley Circle

The Harley Circle is a recognition society for Harley Fund donors who give $1,000 or more each year. Sustaining Members make a three-year commitment. In addition to being listed in our Report on Giving, members are invited to special events.  View the brochure here.

Sands-Stern Award

First presented to the Sands and Stern families in 2009, the Award recognizes an individual or family who has demonstrated their extraordinary commitment to The Harley School through contribution of their service and passion.

 

Sands-Stern Award for Philanthropy Recipients

Sands-Stern Families – 2009-10

Arunas and Pam Chesonis – 2010-11

Joe ’48 and Nancy Briggs – 2011-12

Phyllis Bentley ’45 – 2012-13

Peter Willsea ’72 and Deb Schaller Willsea ’73 – 2013-14

Scott Frame ’73 and Kathy Kearns Frame ’73 – 2014-15

Mark Zupan – 2015-16

Burt August, Robert August, and Elizabeth August ’82 – 2016-17

Chad and Julie Anderson and Jon McNally and Sue Parkes-McNally – 2017-18

Jack and Lisa Baron – 2018-19

Harley Fund

Serves the current year’s goals and benefits today’s students immediately. If you can make only one gift, please make The Harley Fund your priority.

Blast!

Blast! is our annual fundraising gala which makes up almost half our Harley Fund goal each year. For sponsorship and table hosting opportunities contact Eboné Creighton at ecreighton@harleyschool.org.

The Harley School

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

2024 Niche Best Schools

©2023 The Harley School

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College Counseling

Harley’s Approach to College Counseling is highly individualized and student-centered. Students have direct access to college counselors throughout their Upper School experience, but really, each student is part of a team including faculty, administration, and staff. It’s our job to support each student and we want nothing more than to send students on to the next step of their journey at a right fit school for them. The student centered and driven process is wrapped in care, expertise, and professionalism.

We host college reps during times students are available (no need to miss a class) so they can make connections and learn more about potential schools. We also arrange campus visits for classes as field trips, host an alumni college day (where recent Upper School graduates return to share advice and answer questions), and help connect students with our international alumni network. In fact, representatives from schools all over the world actively seek opportunities to come to Harley and meet with our students!

Our college counselors are accredited and are part of national/global conversations on admission trends. They also attend and present at conferences across the country.

Beginning with our Grade 11 parent night, we offer informational sessions for parents, including one devoted just to financial aid. Our partnership with families is critical, as the college admissions world changes very quickly and having an expert to guide students and families through the process is essential.

View the downloadable College Counseling Guide

Clubs

“Club Rush” is an afternoon every fall in the Upper School when students have the chance to sign up for clubs for the year, and each year it is very different because new clubs are created based on student initiative and enthusiasm.

A few of this year’s choices: Sports Media, Social Action Club, Journalism Club, Feminism Club, Student of Color & Allies (SOCA), Gay-Straight Alliance, Tri M (music honor society), E-Sports Club, Euchre, Key Club (service), Animation Club, Dungeons & Dragons, Sustainability Club, Jewish Cultural Club, Astronomy Club, Biomimicry, and Beyond Soup (social justice/service).

Athletics

​Each and every year, students at The Harley School participate in HAC Athletics, and their success continues to be impressive, both as students and athletes. Our athletic program is an integral part of Harley, teaching student-athletes invaluable lessons about teamwork, time management, persistence, and competition.  Our program allows them to develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally as they represent their school on and off the field. They grow, mature, and work hard to be the best teammate they can, while creating lifelong memories with teammates who often remain friends for life. 

Helping our athletes to reach their potential are some of HAC’s best assets: our coaches. More often than not, they are drawn from the ranks of our faculty and  have a deep understanding of the personalities and abilities of the student-athletes on their teams.  

We strive to find the right balance of academics, exercise, and personal growth for everyone.  By offering a variety of sports at many different levels, all student-athletes find a sport they can be successful in. It is with great pride and pleasure that my team and I work to enrich the athletic lives of all our HAC student-athletes. Go Wolves! 

To learn more check out our athletics page.

Student Leadership

Our Upper School is filled with formal and informal opportunities for students to take on leadership roles. Whether following passions or learning new skills, student-driven opportunities take many shapes.

– Independent study: one trimester, full year, and multi-year projects have included automating our solar chimneys, coding handmade musical instruments, or developing a class on financial literacy for underserved high school students.

– Serving on student council

– STEM: Climate curriculum program, biomimicry program, NASA Hunch program

Clubs

“Club Rush” is an afternoon every fall in the Upper School when students have the chance to sign up for clubs for the year, and each year it is very different because new clubs are created based on student initiative and enthusiasm.

A few of this year’s choices: Sports Media, Social Action Club, Journalism Club, Feminism Club, Student of Color & Allies (SOCA), Gay-Straight Alliance, Tri M (music honor society), E-Sports Club, Euchre, Key Club (service), Animation Club, Dungeons & Dragons, Sustainability Club, Jewish Cultural Club, Astronomy Club, Biomimicry, and Beyond Soup (social justice/service).

Hospice

Unlike this class, death is not an elective. Although it is one of two universal human experiences, our culture often ignores, denies, or misconstrues the true nature of death and dying. What happens when we bear witness to this natural process in the cycle of life and develop our ability to be fully present with others when they need us more than ever? It has the potential to change us deeply and fundamentally while shining a brilliant light on the path of our own lives.

With the support of their classmates, teacher, and comfort care home communities, senior students are offered the chance to care for others who truly need their purposeful, non-judgmental attention. In the home-like setting of a comfort care home, opportunities for learning extend beyond a traditional classroom rubric and conventional methods of evaluation. In this course, students will certainly find tangible “learning outcomes” by studying the medical/physical processes associated with dying and the basic nursing assistant skills of comfort care. The ultimate goal, however, will always be rooted in true relationships and connection, which occurs only through empathy and compassion.

Learn more about the Hospice Program at Harley HERE.

Capstone/Independent Studies

This program utilizes environmentally-focused approaches to education and hands-on learning in order to foster the next generation of leaders through a lens of sustainability and problem-solving.

Food & Farm: These year-long and trimester-long classes are held outside as much as possible, allowing students to become leaders in our various growing spaces. They cover environmental justice issues as well as hands-on work such as planning and overseeing planting, harvesting, and preparation of the gardens.

Past year-long focus projects have included: Creating a native plant shade garden in the Wild Wood area, redesigning our hydroponic system, overhauling Harley’s high tunnel, and improving the irrigation system for the MicroFarm.

Culinary Arts: These classes have a two-fold purpose: to give students practical skills in cooking and the science behind different techniques in the kitchen, learning about food justice, food sourcing, labor topics, and sustainability.

Past topics have included: Examining a plant-based diet, looking at the carbon footprint of different meals and food preparation methods, proposing a low carbon footprint menu to the dining hall, links between food labeling and environmental issues of food production.

Beekeeping: This one trimester class provides hands-on training in beekeeping, how to be a beekeeper, and safety and other techniques for working with bees. Once trained students help with all aspects of Harley beekeeping such as hive inspections, honey collection and extraction, and teaching students in Lower School about our hives.

Students pick a research topic addressing honeybee health and the larger environmental picture.

Social Justice

At Harley, our students learn how to evaluate social systems in order to identify complex problems in society through a lens of social justice. They take a hands-on approach to working for a fair, equitable society by researching, exploring and evaluating different perspectives, and offering solutions—both theoretical and practical.

Our faculty integrate social justice into our broader curriculum to assist students in gaining a foundational knowledge about what makes a democracy function. By gaining skills in ideating supportive pathways they become more exposed and experienced to how communities can undergo healing and restorative actions.

 

Capstone/Independent Studies

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

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

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

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In Every Issue

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Divisional Highlights

Alumni Profile: Vandebroek

Alumni Profiles: Keller

HAC Athletics

2021 Lives of Great Purpose Awards

1000 Words

Commencement 2022

Reunion 2022

In Memoriam

Retirements and Fond Farewells