Harley’s Approach to College Counseling
“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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
Wise program blog post 2024
By Sybil Prince ‘00, LCSW
Hospice, Service Learning, and Mindfulness Educator
Center for Mindfulness and Empathy Education
This past trimester, Trish Corcoran, Harley’s Indigenous and Environmental studies educator, and I were excited to revitalize the WISE program (Working Together: Intergenerational Student/Senior Exchange) at Harley. With a focus on nurturing empathy and connection, we brought together seven Grade 6-8 students and seven elders from St. John’s for a unique learning experience.
Weekly sessions buzzed with conversation, games, and collaborative activities. These weren’t just fun and engaging; they provided a platform for our students to:
- Awaken their generous hearts: Through interaction with the elders, students developed a sense of care and compassion for those outside their immediate circle.
- Embrace differences: Connecting with individuals from a different generation allowed students to see the world through a new lens, appreciating the richness of diverse experiences.
- Practice mindfulness: The program emphasized the importance of being present in the moment, fostering deeper connections with the elders.
- Sharpen social-emotional skills: From communication to teamwork, the WISE program provided opportunities for students to develop valuable social and emotional tools.
But the learning extended beyond the shared sessions. When the elders weren’t present, students delved deeper:
- Perspective Taking: Students actively tried to understand the elders’ experiences, analyzing stories and reflecting on their own assumptions.
- Experiential Activities: Activities like aging simulations helped students walk a mile in the elders’ shoes, fostering empathy.
- Finding Common Ground: Despite generational differences, students discovered surprising similarities that strengthened their connections.
- Reflection and Planning: Students took time to reflect on their learnings about aging and planned future visits, ensuring those visits catered to the elders’ specific needs.
The WISE program was a resounding success. It wasn’t just about information exchange; it was about building bridges of understanding and fostering a more compassionate generation. We look forward to seeing the program continue to blossom in the years to come!