Harbor Day School

3443 PACIFIC VIEW DR

Newport Beach, CA 92625

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 05, 2023

This is our fourth year at Harbor Day School, and I am incredibly pleased with the education that my child is getting at the school in the lower school. Not only is the teaching strong, but there is a big emphasis on the well-being of each child. All his teachers care deeply about him and really want him to be his best self. I also love that students get specialty classes in science, technology, woodshop, library, art, and Spanish. Initially, I was worried about our family integrating socially at the school, being that we do not live in the nearby community. I have found that being active (as a parent) in the school is important to feel that sense of community. Overall, our entire family has had a great experience.
Submitted by other on May 08, 2022

While there are plenty of teachers and faculty members that are well qualified and good with kids, Harbor Day School is a school that focuses on developing obedience in its students rather than fostering any curiosity to learn. There is a heavy focus on respecting (and not questioning) authority. The faculty (particularly the upper administration) takes great measures to ensure that students respect authority and do as they’re told. While this is a necessary skill in life, the school takes it way too far which ultimately results in the students resenting authority.Trivial matters and disputes often result in unnecessary and heavy-handed punishments. Of course bad behavior should be met with consequences, but often times the school takes it too far. Students will be sent to the administration for something as harmless as walking on the grass when it’s raining. Once at the administration office (or the “blue chair” as they call it), the students will get a stern talking to about their behavior and be forced to profusely apologize for their actions. It can get so ridiculous at times that students begin to have trouble taking any authority seriously.Consequently, this draconian/authoritarian environment leads unacceptable behavior from teachers. While many of the teachers are lovely, some of them waste valuable class time power tripping students and flexing their power over the student body. Individual students are often singled out and made an example of to remind everyone who’s in charge. Again, children ought to learn to respect authority, but taking it this far only creates further resentment towards authority figures in life.The school should put its efforts into developing a sense of curiosity in the student body. A student that is curious and intrigued by a subject is much more likely to work hard and perform well than a student who is just trying to avoid punishment. Personally I believe that someone with a great sense of curiosity will go far in life and have many worthwhile opportunities come their way. The school should use positive reinforcement to push the students to learn and do their best, rather than to just “do what they’re told.”It’s also worth mentioning that the parents can be very snobby. You’ll often hear remarks such as “why don’t you drive a nicer car than this?” or “why don’t you have a housekeeper at home?” All around, the faculty, student body, and parents can be pretty toxic due to the environment Harbor Day has created.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2019

My husband and I moved our three children to southern California several years ago and looked at all of the area schools. We sent a couple of the children to our local public school as well as a couple of the private schools in the area. We never really found just the right mix of curriculum, excellent teachers, great families, and great character education....until we sent our children to the Harbor Day School. The head of school Angi Evans, as well as the division heads, are personable, nurturing, polished, and well versed in all of the latest educational trends. They set an incredible vision, and the team of teachers delivers. Our kids have gotten a great balance of academics, arts (visual and performing), athletics(very inclusive and also competitive in a good way), and character. I love that good citizenship and kindness are rewarded. The awards and praise are deserved, not just randomly handed out (as in other schools we've attended)-so recognition is truly meaningful to the kids. My kids are challenged for sure. But they are engaged. They aren't just going through the motions. They are learning, and on their way to being lifelong learners. Highly recommend Harbor Day School for sure.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2018

We had an excellent experience at Harbor Day School, and after 9 years at HDS our child was completely prepared for high school. In fact, several of the high schools we visited in the area and the counselors we spoke to regarded HDS as the best private K-8 school in the area. Our child was well prepared for high school and placed into accelerated/honors Math and Science classes. The writing standards at HDS are exceptional and the curriculum in 8th grade at HDS exceeds the curriculum in most local 9th grade classes. We had an extraordinary experience at HDS.
Submitted by student on May 07, 2018

Absolutely terrible if you couldn't tell by everything else that was written
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2016

After an extensive amount of research on local schools, we applied to Harbor Day, St. Margaret's and Pegasus for our kids. I believe that each of the three schools has a lot to offer. We ultimately picked Harbor Day. I'm glad to be able to say that we have been extremely happy with the decision and never once looked back on it. We have three children ranging from grades 1 - 6 at Harbor Day. The academic education that they are receiving is stellar, from the reading and writing program, to the newly implemented Singapore math curriculum, to the technology offerings, to the new STEAM design course, to all of the art/music/library/woodshop/PE classes that are the icing on the cake. I feel that they are receiving a very well-balanced, well-rounded education delivered in a way that is appropriate for them as individuals. The class sizes are small (22 students per class with a lead teacher and assistant) and I have been impressed by how close our children feel to their teachers and the "above and beyond" efforts I have seen from the teachers. The faculty is fully engaged and we have found them to be excellent across the board. Harbor Day offers a very rigorous curriculum and we have seen both the workload and the demands increase substantially on our 6th grader. She and her classmates were well prepared for the challenges of 6th grade, however, as with each increase in grade level the demands and requirement of the student are increased (in a very measured, supportive way). But most importantly, the school instills a real love of learning (something that I feel as a parent is perhaps the most critical thing that I can try to give to my child) and my kids are happy to go to school every day. The character education program is a big part of their lives and we have been able to take advantage of a number of opportunities for volunteer projects with classmates. The blue/gold competition, Harbor Day families, after-school sports, programming/app making competition (which Harbor Day has won three years in a row), student council, Maker Space activities, musical performances and other traditions have given our kids the opportunity to explore many different areas of interest. They have made good friends and so have we. We feel grateful to be a part of such a warm, supportive, friendly community and I highly recommend the school.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2015

My two children graduated from Harbor Day a few years ago. Sending them to HDS was the best decision we've made. They both feel like they learned more at Harbor Day and had better teachers there than anywhere else. They developed great communication and study skills, and built a good foundation in all of their subjects. In high school they felt much better prepared for the challenges of AP classes than their classmates because they knew how to stay organized and study effectively. They made lifelong friends at Harbor Day School, and they still communicate with some of their Harbor Day teachers. Harbor Day School is certainly the best in school in the area.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2014

Harbor Day has practically ruined my child's life. It's uneffective methods of imposing character traits on their students does just the opposite of what it's meant to do, which is produce kind, compassionate, and bright students. Harbor Day does none of that. If I hadn't already paid tuition, I would never have my child step foot in that school again. Overall, Harbor Day is an awful place to send your children.
Submitted by teacher on March 20, 2014

The people who go to Harbor Day, stand by it with conviction because of the over $20k price tag per child. This validates them. Putting money aside, if HD is going to attempt to compete with the best private schools back east, which they claim they can, then they should hold their students accountable for their character...just like back east. Meaning, high tuition = personalized curriculum, excellent moral and character building of the students, and elite educational opportunities. None of these happen at HD. The children leave at the end of 8th grade with a chip on their shoulder; certainly not sweet nor unassuming. These children are bread from day one to compete not within themselves, but with their peers, creating a cut-throat mentality and vibe. Girls are ostracized and segregated from day one, as taught by their Mommies, and boys are programmed to be an athlete....even at the expense of needing to be tutored 4 days a week because they are struggling, at least they are an athlete. We pay for the culture, not just the academics at a private school. One the 8th graders wrote with her grad picture that she wanted to be an OC housewife when she grows up. Need I say more??
Submitted by other on September 11, 2013

I love Harbor Day. It is a warm, welcome environment where everyone and everything quickly becomes familiar. The academics are unbeatable for those who want a challenge, but they also have an incredible art program if academics aren't as much of a focus. I loved knowing that at Harbor Day, the education was the best there is. Especially the English and Foreign Language programs are incredible and easily give all HDS students a one or two year head start on kids from public schools.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2012

Harbor Day is an amazing school! The teachers are so caring and passionate, the class sizes are fairly small so the students get the special attention, their English Department is probably what I'm most satisfied with. The way they teach, especially in writing massively helps the students grow as writers. Everyone is so friendly, they offer some great electives as well as outdoor education/field trips for each grade!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2011

Harbor Day could be a great school if it wasn't being dragged down by the alumni. I don't consider teaching to the middle exceptional. ...It's lazy. Harbor Day needs more young, bright, excited, creative teacher! Kids should be inspired by the teachers and staff....A true lack of leadership. HDS needs to go bak and re-read it's own mission statements.