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

Does Harbor Day have a true minimum day schedule after breaks, or is it full day right away? Thx - my son is a 2nd grader

Harbor Day School in Corona Del Mar typically resumes classes with a full day schedule right after major breaks, including holidays. This means that students, including those in 2nd grade, will not experience a minimum day upon returning to school.

Post-Break Resumption

For the 2025–2026 academic year, classes for 2nd graders will officially resume on Monday, January 5, 2026, as a standard school day. This aligns with the school's practice of maintaining regular schedules without modifications after breaks.

Daily Curriculum

The 2nd-grade program is self-contained and includes core subjects such as:

  • Reading
  • Language Arts
  • Spelling
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
Additionally, students participate in specialist classes including Physical Education, Art, Music, Spanish, and Laboratory Science, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

For more specific details regarding schedules and bell times, parents can access the Harbor Day School Parent Portal or contact the Lower School office directly.

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.

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