Academics

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School Profile

The Harvey School

260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536-3707
914.232.3161
www.harveyschool.org
 
CEEB Code: 332644

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School Profile 2023-2024

Accreditations/Affiliations

New York State Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Independent Schools

School Profile 2023-24

The Harvey School is an independent coeducational boarding and day school located 40 miles north of New York City in Westchester County. The school, founded in 1916, has an average enrollment of 360 in grades 6-12. The curriculum is directed toward a mastery of languages, liberal arts, and sciences. All students pursue programs that emphasize the acquisition of skills in writing, reading, mathematics, the sciences, ancient or modern languages, history and political science, and the fine arts.

At a Glance 

  • 300 Students in Upper School.
  • 74 Students in the Class of 2024.
  • 27% of students receive need-based financial aid.
  • 27% racial/ethnic student diversity.
  • Students draw from Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester Counties, New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, and abroad.
  • 26 students in our International Student Program from Brazil, Germany, Russia, China, Lithuania, Spain, and Taiwan in a 5/2 boarding program combining dorm-living and family homestay.
  • Students represent various economic, social and racial backgrounds.
  • Emphasizes educational diversity within a traditional and disciplined framework.
  • Average class size is 10.
  • Technology integrated into curriculum with multiple labs accessible to students including broadcast/editing, robotics, and 3D printing labs.
  • Model UN and Robotics teams compete and excel at the state and national levels.
  • Offers 20 varsity sports; have won 43 championships since 2000.
  • Offers 25+ classes in the arts and put on 10 productions a year in theater, music, and dance.

College Placement 2023

Percent to 4-year colleges/universities  92%
Gap Year & Postgrad Experience  7%
Private University 77%
Public University 23%
In-state 35%
Out-of-state 63%
2-year college  1%

Grading System

There are five letter grades, A through D and F. D- is the lowest passing grade. The trimester grade in a given course is determined by averaging equally the two marking-period grades and the trimester final examination grade. The full-year grade is determined by averaging the three trimester grades. For purposes of averaging, each letter grade is assigned a numerical value as follows: A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D- = 0.7, F = 0. Cumulative grade point averages and quintile ranks are determined by averaging all major courses. Course in Honors and Advanced Placement will be averaged with an additional weighted value. An Honors course will have a value of .3 added to the final grade and an Advanced Placement course will have an additional value of .7 added to the final grade. Fall term grades will be sent to colleges at the end of November, winter term grades will be sent to colleges in mid-March, and final transcripts will be sent by mid-June (usually a week after commencement).

Curriculum and Requirements

The academic year is divided into trimesters with one credit awarded for a trimester course and three credits for a full-year course. A minimum of 69 credits is required for graduation. The minimum distribution of course requirements for graduation are as follows:

  • ENGLISH: 4 years
  • HISTORY: 3 years, including Global Studies, Modern European History, and U.S. History
  • MATH: 3 years, including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2
  • SCIENCE: 3 years, including Science Trajectories as a freshman, and at least one lab science
  • FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 2 years of the same language completed in grades 9-12
  • ARTS: 2 years (6 trimesters)
  • SENIOR BRIDGE SEMINAR: Required of all seniors

Students are expected to go beyond the minimum requirements and take four years of a foreign language (either four years of one language or two years of two different languages), four years of mathematics (Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus), and additional science courses. We offer classical and modern languages (Latin, Spanish, and Japanese) and a number of elective courses in the arts, English, history, and other humanities. Senior course loads are determined for each senior individually during conferences with the student's academic adviser. Each student must fulfill all academic requirements, be found in good disciplinary standing, and be approved by the faculty before a diploma may be awarded.

We offer Honors and Advanced Placement courses in every discipline (students are typically recommended to participate starting junior year in AP coursework), and encourage all our students to participate in these programs according to their particular abilities and interests. AP courses are offered in biology, American history, calculus, chemistry, English, European history, microeconomics, physics, and statistics.

Signature Programs

What makes Harvey extraordinary is the wealth of opportunities we offer all our students to explore many different areas of study and interest. Our Signature Programs are unique to a Harvey education, challenging and motivating our students to learn new skills and discover their individual passions.

Visit Signature Programs to learn more.

Disciplinary Policy:

The Harvey School does not report disciplinary actions. If a situation warrants, the school reserves the right to determine which disciplinary actions rise to the level of being reportable for college applications. The nature of the situation deemed reportable will be discussed with the admissions representative.

Class Ranking

Students are ranked by quintile. The scale below represents the cumulative grade-point average of students from this year's senior class in the following quintiles, as of the beginning of Fall Term 2021.

1st Quintile 3.89 - 4.19
2nd Quintile 3.68 - 3.88
3rd Quintile 3.44 - 3.67
4th Quintile 3.07 - 3.42
5th Quintile 2.46 - 3.06
GPA RECOGNITION
4.0+ Cavalier Scholar
3.7-3.99 Head's List
3.3-3.69 Honor Roll

Co-Curricular Program

The School is a strong co-curricular and athletics program to complement its academic program. The program's purpose is not only to allow the student to pursue his or her individual interests but also to provide a structure in which a student will be able to exercise a position of constructive leadership. The school is committed to expanding its co-curricular offerings and encouraging the participation of its entire student body in sports, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities. Programming ranges from a full host of arts offerings, 18 different varsity sports, Model UN, community service, and most recently the addition of a nationally recognized robotics program. Participation in after-school activities is mandatory for day students in grades 6-10 and all boarding students.

International Program

Harvey currently has a small international student population, with 26 students from 7 countries. International students take the same curriculum as American students with two exceptions: a foreign language other than English is not required (although it may be taken as an elective), and all students must enroll in an English reading/writing workshop during their first two years. International students at Harvey are not "exchange students," but matriculate at Harvey typically as ninth graders or sophomores intending to graduate from our school and continue their education at American colleges and universities. The program is currently in its 10th year. Members from our graduating classes are all attending American colleges and universities representing a variety of higher educational school communities, including: Barnard College, Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Brandeis University, Chapman College, Columbia University, Cornell University, Emory University, Fordham University Business School, John Hopkins University, Northeastern University, New York University, Maryland Institute College of Art, Parsons School of Art and Design, RPI, Rutgers University, and the University of Southern California.

College Counseling

Group of students.