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Anonymous
This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Other

Is there a carpool list or parent directory people use? Trying to coordinate rides for my daughter - it's been crazy for us to say the least

Coordinating rides for your daughter can be challenging, but there are several avenues you can explore at Harbor Day School.

Parent Council Involvement Engaging with the Parent Council is a great first step. This council serves as a hub for parent communication and community events, and they may have insights into informal carpools or internal communication channels that can help you connect with other families.

Accessing the School Directory While there is no public carpool list, the school may offer a secure online directory for enrolled families. Check the official Harbor Day School website for any parent-specific login areas or contact the school office directly to inquire about accessing this resource.

Contacting School Administration Reaching out to the school's administration, particularly the Director of Communications, Noelle Becker, can provide additional guidance or resources that may not be publicly listed. They may have suggestions for connecting with other parents.

Third-Party Services If you're open to it, consider using third-party services like RideMatch or CarpoolWorld to find other parents in the Corona Del Mar area. However, exercise caution as these services are not affiliated with the school and require individual discretion.

Recent questions at Harbor Day School

Corepower9
This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Admissions

Does harbor day provide any kind of assistance with high school planning and admissions?

Harbor Day School offers comprehensive support for families navigating high school planning and admissions, particularly for its graduating eighth-graders.

High School Placement Program

The school has a structured High School Placement program that assists students in transitioning to various prestigious private and public high schools. This includes:

  • Placement Support: Guidance through the admissions process for secondary schools.
  • Advisory Program: Middle school students (grades 6–8) meet with faculty advisors three times a week, fostering academic and personal growth to enhance high school readiness.
  • Standardized Testing Coordination: The school helps students prepare for standardized tests like the ISEE, which are often required for private high school applications.
Contact Information

For more details on high school planning or to inquire about placement results, families can:

  • Call the Admission Office at 949-640-1410.
  • Email the admissions team at admissions@harborday.org.
  • Visit the High School Placement page on their official website for additional resources and information.

palomarvrad
This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Admissions

What is tuition and who qualifies for financial aid? Thank you

Harbor Day School charges a tuition fee of $37,930 for all grades (K–8) for the 2025–2026 academic year. This fee covers essential student needs, including daily lunch, school supplies, field trips, athletics, one-to-one iPads, and the school yearbook.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial aid at Harbor Day School is need-based and follows a need-blind admissions process, ensuring that a family's financial situation does not affect admission decisions. Families that demonstrate financial need may qualify for assistance, which is determined by an administrative committee based on:

  • Income
  • Assets
  • Overall ability to pay
Application Process

To apply for financial aid, families must use the Clarity platform:

  1. Create an account on the Clarity website.
  2. Submit family and financial information, including automatic transfer of tax forms for verification.
  3. Pay a $60 application fee.
Important Dates
  • Application Deadline:
February 6, 2026
  • Award Letters for Returning Families:
February 27, 2026
  • Award Letters for New Families: Issued with enrollment contracts.
MezcalzP
This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Campus life

Whats the food hot lunch program like at harbor day? Is it consideered good?

Harbor Day School offers a comprehensive hot lunch program that operates five days a week, managed by Flik Dining. The program emphasizes fresh, scratch-made meals prepared with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a nutritious dining experience for students.

Menu Highlights

The lunch menu includes a diverse selection of options:

  • Main Entrées: Taco Tuesdays, teriyaki bowls, hamburgers, pasta, and chicken tenders.
  • Specialty Items: Quesadillas, Yakisoba noodles, and Shepherd’s pie.
  • Health Options: A dedicated salad bar and a 'fruit of the day' for kindergarten students.
Student Engagement

The culinary team, led by Chef Andy Lord, actively seeks student feedback to refine the menu. They host events like "Imposters" tastings, allowing students to vote on new food items. The program encourages community involvement, with parents volunteering to assist in staffing.

Reputation

Overall, the lunch program is considered very good, with students expressing enthusiasm for themed days and the ability to customize their meals. It is frequently highlighted as a flavorful and nutritious aspect of the student experience, complementing the school's academic rigor and character development focus.