Facts & Stats

The Harker School is a kindergarten-grade 12 private school in Silicon Valley that has earned international recognition for its top academics, quality teachers and student achievements. Founded in 1893 and educating 2,040 students, Harker is the largest independent school of its kind in California, located on four beautiful campuses just minutes apart. Harker is an accredited member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the California Association of Independent Schools.

Harker blends strong college-prep academics with rich offerings in STEM and the arts. Innovative international programs, robust after-school and athletic programs, and Peninsula and intercampus shuttles are just a few of the features and services offered to Harker families.

By the Numbers

70% AP scores of 5

1:9 K-12 Teacher/Student Ratio

98 Intel/Regeneron Semifinalists Since 2006

68% Percent of seniors recognized in 2020 National Merit Scholarship Contest

280 Number of Colleges Accepting Harker Students from 2016-18

15 Computer Science Courses Offered

3 National Finalists in 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search

2 Gold Medalists in International Physics Olympiad (since 2009)

292 Upper School Academic Elective Courses Offered

$6.9K+ Money Raised at 2023 Cancer Walk

10 Number of International Sister Schools

2 National Finalists in 2017 Siemens Competition

65 Upper School Student Clubs

26 Middle School Student Clubs

100% Lower School Students in Performing Arts

48% Upper School Students in Performing Arts

19 Upper School Performing Arts Electives

25 Annual Performances

12 Invitations to Perform Abroad Since 2005

60% Upper School Students Participate in Sports

8 Lower School Sports Offered

40 Upper School Athletic Teams Fielded

14 Upper School Sports Offered

12 Middle School Sports Offered

100 Near/Mitra Endowment Grants Awarded (since 2009)

27 Middle School Posters Presented at Research Symposium

1 Student Launched National College Research Journal

62% Students Recognized by the College Board in National merit Program

82% Lower School Students in After-School Program (BEST)

70% of Lower School Students in Grades 4 and 5 Play at Least One Sport

27 AP Courses Offered

10 Post-AP Courses Offered

100% Eagle Pride

Then & Now

2021-23 College Acceptances

Graduates from the classes of 2021-2023 were admitted to more than 250 universities. See the full list of college acceptances for more details.

Upper School Profile

Check out our upper school profile for at-a-glance stats:

View Upper School Profile

Historical Test Scores

View historical data on Harker student test scores for SAT, ACT, National Merit and APs.

View Test Data

Student Achievements

View all student achievement stories

Alumni Achievements

Life in the Arts

Athletics Hall of Fame

View All Alumni Achievement Stories

Timeline
1893	Manzanita Hall was established
1919	Palo Alto Military Academy (PAMA), formerly Manzanita Hall, was formed
1902	Miss Harker's School for Girls, Palo Alto, was established
1955	Miss Harker's School for Girls, Palo Alto, becomes co-ed and changes name to The Harker Day School
1950s	Donald Nichols purchases Palo Alto Military Academy and, nine years later, Harker Day School, running both simultaneously
1972	PAMA and Harker Day School merge and become Harker Academy, moving from Palo Alto to San Jose (current site of Harker's upper school)
1973	Howard Nichols assumes leadership, drops military program and expands academics and programs
1992	Name changed from Harker Academy to The Harker School. Howard Nichols named president, Diana Nichols named head of school.
1998	Harker adds new high school to K-8 program
2002	Harker graduates first class of seniors
2005	Nicholses retire; Chris Nikoloff assumes leadership
2017	Chris Nikoloff relocates to Swiss school; Brian Yager assumes leadership

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