Academy Academics

List of 7 items.

• Fine and Performing Arts

  All Harrisburg Academy students, preschool through 12th grade, have a multitude of opportunities to engage in fine and performing arts both in their classroom curricula, and through our fine and performing arts offerings. Vocal music, music technology, and theory are explored in our general music curriculum for students from Pre-school through 5th grade. All students from Junior-Kindergarten through 5th grade develop instrumental skills through our violin program, performing twice per year in concert.   
  
  

  Middle School students have curricular art and music classes and can elect to participate in MS Symphonic Orchestra, MS Chorus, and MS Drama. Additionally, students are invited to perform in Harrisburg Academy's mainstage production each year, with opportunities both onstage and behind stage to produce and present a well-known musical. 

   

  Students in the Upper School may choose from many music and art electives, including US Symphonic Orchestra, Choir, Music Theory, DP Music, Visual Arts, and DP Art, to name just a few.

• Humanities

  English
  Students use writing as both a form of expression and as a means of imaginatively and critically exploring works of fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction essays from many of the most noteworthy writers of the past centuries, to today’s current authors.
  
  

  By writing frequently, students refine their skills over time, graduating with the ability to write logical arguments, complex literary analyses, creative works, and produce higher level research. Students use technology to enhance and complement their efforts. Harrisburg Academy’s English Department faculty follows a guided-study philosophy, challenging students to participate actively in class discussions, and encouraging self-reflection.
  
  

  Individuals and Societies / Social Studies
  Harrisburg Academy's history curriculum focuses on helping students articulate their individual responses to four primary essential questions: 1) Why is it important to be globally aware?; 2) How does learning history cultivate a greater self-understanding?; 3) What is it about our American system of political and social democracy that makes it unique in today’s world?; and 4) How are religions both unifying and divisive?
  
  

  The history department faculty employ a process of guided study that incorporates multiple teaching strategies and learning experiences to help students to articulate thoughtful answers, supported by careful use of historical evidence, to these four essential questions. At the conclusion of their experiences with the Academy’s history curriculum, students will be able to answer these questions and will have gained the analytical, evaluative and research skills critical to any future study and understanding of American and world history.

• Math

  Harrisburg Academy's mathematics department faculty members are committed to developing, strengthening, and guiding our students to attain and maintain high standards of computation skills and analytical thinking through all levels of math courses. In addition, we recognize and accept the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and implement them where it is appropriate in the curriculum.

• Physical Education and Health Class

  The Physical Education program at Harrisburg Academy is designed to promote and refine movement skills in a cooperative environment, setting students up for a lifetime of physical fitness. Early Childhood students have class every other day, while elementary school students have class every day. At this age, students focus on developing fine movement skills and learning and implementing safety rules and procedures, all while developing successful interpersonal communication.
  
  

  Middle School students continue to refine basic movement and motor skills learned in elementary school and begin to manipulate those skills in more dynamic and complex situations. Students will also begin to hear teacher feedback, learning to interpret feedback and improve skills according to formal measures of physical fitness. In addition, classes will highlight activity- and sport-specific practices and rules, which lead into an appreciation and understanding of lifetime sports activities focused on at the high-school level in Upper School.

• Science

  The science curriculum guides each student to respond to the following essential questions: How is scientific knowledge created and communicated? How can technology enhance our ability to solve problems and make decisions? And what impact do science and technology have on our society?
  
  

  With these questions as a guide, Academy teachers foster and mentor students’ thirst for knowledge and natural curiosity. In active laboratory settings, students discover many of the major principles of science and see examples and applications of the content material taught in the classroom. They also the principles of safe laboratory work that they will need for their future study of science. Likewise, work with computer-based technologies provides the students with the tools and skills needed to solve real-world problems. We enjoy introducing activities that can be replicated or expanded upon at home, which keeps science exploration well within the reach of each child.

• Technology and Design

  The Information Technology Services Office is committed to providing students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, with direct access to state-of-the-art classroom technology and encouraging students to efficiently incorporate technology into their daily lives at school. From the integration of personal student technology to the inclusion of Viewsonic ViewBoard Interactive Flat Panels in the Academy classrooms, the school is on the forefront of technology innovation in Central Pennsylvania schools.

• World Languages

  At Harrisburg Academy, small class sizes and strong student-teacher relationships provide students with an exceptional opportunity to build proficiency in a new language. Our program begins with Spanish in preschool, offering young learners an early introduction to language and culture. This foundation continues to build as students progress through the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in elementary school, further developing their understanding of Spanish language and world cultures. 
  
  

  As students transition to the Middle Years Programme (MYP), they focus on developing their communication skills in Spanish and gain the opportunity to begin studying French. The MYP language program runs through 10th grade, fostering proficiency in communication while promoting a deeper appreciation for our world’s exceptional diversity. This 5-year progression prepares students for advanced study in the Diploma Programme (DP) during 11th and 12th grade.
  
  

  The goal of the DP language program is to elevate students' proficiency and fluency, all while cultivating a passion for global citizenship. After successful completion of the program, students possess the skills to communicate effectively in their chosen language(s) and are often inspired to continue their studies in college and through international experiences.