Kindergarden through 2nd grade is amazing. My child had a wonderful time and developed academically and socially. Starting in third grade is when it gets scary. My 8 year old was given a locker, had 9 different periods and 7 different teachers. There was homework in 4 different classes and test and
... Read more projects due regularly. Homework was about 1.5 hours M-Th. 4th grade homework went up to 2-3 hours per day and the 5th grade homework load was an average of 3-4 hours per day. The school will not admit that there is this much homework. They say just do 15 minutes per subject and have a parent sign it off. However, if you don't do your homework you will not understand class and fail the exams because you will not be prepared. In grades 4&5, Harker is tough and your child will quickly grow-up and their childhood will be lost. Read less
Posted by a parent on 10/04/09
While I loved my experience as a student, Harker also gave me the skills and confidence to succeed once I left. Harker indeed helped me get into a college I was very happy with, but it also helped make college a positive experience. For example, Harker s rigor prepared me to major in math, making me
... Read more very rare as a female and non- classic nerd type. I saw many friends struggle in or avoid courses that were too intimidating. Many skills Harker cultivated leadership, critical thinking, a firm belief in personal integrity, dedication to my community have helped me succeed at work and shaped who I am as a person. Harker is expensive, is academically difficult, and keeps students busy from morning until night with extracurricular commitments. But it s also true that it s worth the effort. Thanks so much to my parents for the sacrifices they made to send me to Harker! Read less
Posted by a other on 08/18/09
This school used to be the best private school in the bay area under Nichols but has become a disaster under, Nikloff, the current head; he is incompetent, boring, and has no vision for the future. (He dresses up nicely and walks around the campus though!) The school runs like a bunch of renegade colonies
... Read more consisting of lower, middle and high schools. If I could go back in time, I would send my children to good public school or a private school that is cheaper and better than Harker - there are plenty of such schools in the bay area. Read less
Posted by a parent on 07/27/09
The best prep school on the west coast. My daughter is graduating in 2009 from the high school. She loved the school, its resources, excellent teachers, world class labs and an opportunity to involve in plethora of extracurricular activities. She has been saying each day this week that she will be missing
... Read more the school. We will miss it too. Every day while dropping and picking her up from school; we always felt a connection with the school. The atmosphere, the new technology building, the athletics facilities, the student body, and the teaching staff were all so overwhelming. She is matriculating to a top college this fall along with 13% of the seniors who are matriculating to one of top 6 (HMSPYC). There will be another 15% of the class matriculating to rest of US News top 20. Around 12% will join UCB and another 15% will be joining USC. Even Read less
Posted by a parent on 05/21/09
Like all high schools, it can be difficult to fit in and assimilate into the atmosphere. Yet this is not the case at Harker as a 'We are Harker' mentality includes people from all spheres of friends. Harker's reputation for excellence in extra curricular activities and academics prove to be more than
... Read more enough reason for you to send your child to this prestigious school. Read less
Posted by a student on 05/02/09
This is my eighth year at Harker. I haven't really been to any other school to know what it's like, but Harker is an average society. Harker has created an image for itself: an academically rigorous school with lots of challenges and lots of extracurricular activities all under a big hood of care. Harker
... Read more is a big private school where kids can become cliquey, mean, and just down right horrible. The new administration doesn't really care about the kids, but they care about the parents spending an extreme amount of money. Harker is a good school, but only if you have the right teachers. If not, you won't really learn anything, and that course becomes useless. Harker can be extremely easy too, but only if you got into Harker based on how smart you are, not because your parents were willing to pay extra money for their annual fund. Please reconsider. Read less
Posted by a student on 04/13/09
I have attended Harker for 5 years now, and I am in high school. I actually look forward to coming to school every morning, which is not something that can be said for the average teenager. The focus is on academics, but I am able to take honors/AP classes while also participating in sports, journalism,
... Read more and performing arts. I love this school, and would recommend it to all Read less
Posted by a student on 03/24/09
This is the worst school my child has ever attended. She went to the Harker Elementary school and attended for 2 years. In 4 grade, she had 3-4 hours of homework. 3 to 4 hours! All the other children that go to different schools have to do half of that. So at 9 years old, she became stressed. Harker's
... Read more way of teaching was incredibly vacuous. After 3rd grade my daughter became so stressed and depressed at school that she started cutting herself and crying all the time. She gained a lot of weight. She was also having a friend problem. Harker has a major clique and stealing issue. My daughter has had 2 sweaters and about 10 mechanical pencils stolen. She only gets 7-8 hours of sleep per night without watching tv. So please think twice next time you want to admit your child to this terrible school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/04/09
Harker is an excellent school for motivated students who find academics interesting and rewarding. The milieu of the middle and upper schools are wonderfully supportive of 'smart kids'. The arts are highly supported, with top level dance, drama, and music departments. Debate is very strong; every
... Read more branch of debate is represented and highly ranked. The science department is amazing; this year there were the most Intel semi-finalists in the country, and a thriving research division. Staff make sure that no bullying or negative relationships take root at the school, and create a safe and positive environment. The high school has elements of a college campus, with an abundance of opportunities to challenge oneself endlessly. I can't say enough about how much our children have benefited from this school, from top college acceptances for our older children, to the wonderful life long friends all our children have made. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/16/09
Consider before you send your kids to Harker. Overall, it's an exceptional school, especially for those academically focused. However, the 3 levels within the grade creates side effects. First, it's a bit of a myth that it's fluid -- kids do change levels, but it's not as easy as it sounds. It's easier
... Read more to move down lthan to move up because of their grading requirement. Even in 1st or 2nd grade, the kids are very well aware of which level they are in, and they tell each other they are 'smart' or 'dumb' depending on which level they are in. When the kids are moved down a level, their entire schedule gets changes (3rd grade) then their social world changes because their friends are no longer in the same schedule. It feels punitive. The best teachers are reserved for the top level. For the best students, the best teachers. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
San Jose schools — Harker Upper School is located at 500 Saratoga Ave, San Jose CA 95129. 500 Saratoga Ave is in the West Valley neighborhood and 95129 ZIP code in San Jose, CA Harker Upper School is a Private school that serves grade levels 9 - 12.
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Test Score Ratings
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