Harborside Academy

Posted: January 25, 2024

My son really enjoys his middle school experience at Harborside. His teachers and staff are very invested in his learning and growth. There are lots of options for in school and after school clubs and activities.

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: January 25, 2024

Posted: February 15, 2018

I have had a fantastic experience at Harborside!!! 10 outta 10!!!!

Posted: February 15, 2018

Posted: February 15, 2018

Posted: February 15, 2018

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Posted: February 15, 2018

Posted: September 3, 2016

The school's motto is "nobody eats alone". It started as a way to ensure that everyone was being included and nobody was outcast. They work hard at ensuring everyone feels a part of the school community. The school is in it's 10 year of operation. In other parts of the city local businesses ban or limit to one student at a time either at lunchtime or before or after school. The local businesses welcome Harborside's students to their establishments, often complementing them on how well mannered and respectful they are of other customers and the businesses employees. Every school has a few bad apples, and Harborside is no exception but they really do put forth the effort to ensure everyone it treated fairly with honesty and integrity.

Posted: September 3, 2016

My son graduated from Harborside Academy, he just missed being in the top 10% of his class but went on to a nationally accredited Business College and Graduated with honors, making the Dean's list every semester!

Posted: June 30, 2014

Harborside's approach is both great and has room for improvement. The expeditions the teachers put together are usually very engaging and help create final products that are pretty great, but there are also some concepts that need to be taught but get brushed aside since they don't fit the learning expedition. The character grades can be a bit excessive, but they do help show where some students need to improve as an individual. The sciences at the school aren't as challenging since there is only 1 AP science course; if more were added, I'm sure many students would benefit from a better work habit.

Posted: October 29, 2013

I'm honestly shocked by the positive reviews. I attended Harborside before transferring to my current school. The attempt to grade students character was based almost entirely off of dress code violations and turning work in on time; there's far more to character than that. Furthermore, the academics are abysmal. I made it through an entire geometry class without once using a compass once. We didn't come close to getting through the book. Likewise Algebra 2/Trigonometry-Honors was similarly a failure. Given an entire year to cover what most schools cover in one semester, they still failed to get through even half of the book. I could go on to similar stories about the other classes, but I'd like instead to move on to the discipline problem: there is virtually no discipline. Students often attend school high, violate dress code, and loudly talk about getting drunk outside of school, or having sex. Little work is done during class, the students are often too busy talking to be bothered to attempt learning. And interestingly, despite all their talk about creating a safe environment, there's a noticeable problem with bullying. Overall, attending Harborside would be a terrible mistake.

Posted: October 29, 2013

I was a student at Harborside Academy and was utterly disappointed. The academics are poor, I was there for two years and can make a list of things I learned that wouldn't even fill a sheet of paper. There is no sense of discipline, that students are very disrespectful, and there are various students that should have been removed from the school based on the so-called standards that the school claims to hold itself to.

Posted: September 1, 2013

Harborside Academy is a school dedicated to growing students academically and socially through experiences that challenging students to improve and do their best. The principal is one of the school greatest assets because of his passion for students, dedication to leadership, heart for students with special needs and desire to do what is right. The student population is diverse due to a true lottery system for acceptance to the school. (siblings and certain classification of students do not need to be accepted via lottery) The school could improve by screening staff thoroughly to ensure each staff member participates in expeditionary training including a multi-day outdoor "trip experience" prior to their first day of work. The union influence on hiring and the districts method of placing teachers has hindered this goal in some aspects. Perhaps this will change for the good with the changes in Wisconsin with new legislation with unions. The core requirement of CREW is the class at the school that is the best method to impact students positively. The staff in general go above and beyond expectation to assist students to reach goals academically.

Posted: August 6, 2013

Harborside is an Expeditionary Learning school that builds character while providing an education. Students learn to work together as a crew. It is a strong supportive community. Students are connected to the community. The learning is authentic and connects students to real world experiences that prepare them for the world. Harborside also helps students understand their own strengths and weaknesses and allows students to work towards personal goals of self-improvement. It also gives clearer vision of where they want to go in life both in post high school education or careers. Harborside also provides field trips at little to no cost and ensures they are directly linked to an expedition they are studying. I am completely satisfied with the education my children receive at Harborside!

Posted: August 5, 2013

Parent: Harborside Academy has given my son a great start For his future. He has learned to work as a team, learned that he Can accomplish more than he thought and in his words "Harborside gave Me a work ethic that I would not have gotten anywhere else." All with small class sizes and with teachers that get to know their Students.

Posted: August 5, 2013

This school has great school spirit, sense of community and a great work ethic. My daughter loves going to school.

Posted: August 2, 2013

My child's school has helped her grow in such a short time. They encourage the children to work together which leaves no one out. The projects and field work makes learning more creative and more interesting. I think the school could improve on school to parent communication. There were things I missed because my child forgot to tell me. Parking is difficult when picking up students. One big problem was snow that was never removed along the streets around the school.

Posted: August 2, 2013

My son is a Senior at Harborside this year. When we were looking at the different options for high school we felt Harborside would be the best match for his creative learning style, we were not let down. The hands on learning and team building not only make school fun it gives the students the opportunity to get to know each others strengths and weaknesses putting them at an advantage for post secondary learning and real world situations. I'm looking forward to watching my son grow over this next year and I'm glad to have Harborside be a part of it.

Posted: August 2, 2013

I couldn't be happier with the education my daughter is receiving at Harborside. It is a fantastic school. Not only does it challenge the kids academically but Harborside challenges them to be a better person.

Posted: August 1, 2013

Harborside Academy is a gem. The leadership is caring and compassionate and I love the philosophy of expedentiary learning. It really helps students build character and learn how to work in groups. My son blossomed at this school. It was the best thing for him. I particularly like the inclusion approach that no students sits alone. This school is outstanding.

Posted: August 1, 2013

As a parent and educator myself, Harborside Academy definitely is a top notch school. The school's philosophy and mission statement aren't just words on paper, they are lived each day by the students and staff. I feel there is excellent communication to parents, the principal frequently sends out emails and phone calls as to what is happening at school. My daughter loves her teachers and loves school. I believe my student is getting the best education in town at a school that feels like family to her.

Posted: August 1, 2013

I am a 2013 graduate from Harborside. Over the past for years Harborside has built me up for the real world and pushing over my limits. I would not be the person i am today without Harborside.

Posted: August 1, 2013

They really care about the kids and offer insight into life after high school. The intensives were really interesting to the kids.

Posted: August 1, 2013

My school is the best school I have worked at in my 25 years of teaching because it treats ALL as a part of the family. As in any family, you have your ups and downs but you always get through it together as a family! Students and their families know that everyone gives their whole hearts and souls to make everyone live up to their fullest potential.

Posted: August 1, 2013

Our school has the ideal atmosphere for learning for all levels and personalities. Everyone is treated with respect - by staff, teachers, fellow students. Character is key, expected, but also shown so kids understand the importance. All kids are loved, treated like family, with high expectations, understanding, and humor. Many who feel they don't "fit in" elsewhere consider our school to be a safe-haven of sorts; they are comfortable and can learn with up-to-date pedagogy and diversified educational strategies so everyone, no matter his or her learning style, can find their way and succeed. The teachers are top-notch and are family, as well. They respect and work with each other, even though they are under more pressure than most schools with the training and continuous work it takes to plan the learning expeditions. For such a small school, there are so many wonderful extra-curricular opportunities such as in clubs and interscholastic sports. Community service is huge, and our students are at a huge advantage when it comes time to apply for college - Comm. Service is an expectation and students want to become involved. The principal should step back and trust the teachers to teach

Posted: August 1, 2013

Harborside Academy is about more than just academics. It's a place where kids learn that they matter and can make a difference in the world. The Expeditionary Learning model has an extraordinary effect on how young people experience education. Kids don't just read books, memorize concepts, and take tests. They supplement book-learning with group projects relevant to them as individuals and to their community. As a result, abstract concepts become concrete and meaningful to them. Harborside fosters emotional, civic, physical, and artistic growth by encouraging student-led extracurricular opportunities such as service projects, fund raisers, interest groups, and clubs. Harborside is also a safe place for kids to develop strong character. There is a zero tolerance policy regarding bullying. At the same time, honesty, positive attitude, helpfulness, and personal responsibility are encouraged and even incorporated into grades. Finally, the teachers and administrators at Harborside are incredible. They aren't "just" academic instructors...they're my partners in raising happy, well-rounded adults that will, if we've done our job right, pay it forward someday.

Posted: August 1, 2013

Harborside has been great for my child. The staff is fabulous! Additionally, they offer much more in the way of clubs, activities, and other growth opportunities.

Posted: August 1, 2013

I love Harborside because they make learning easy and fun for everyone. Hands-on learning and different activities help us understand new concepts and teamwork. For the most part, everyone at Harborside gets along and work together well.

Posted: August 1, 2013

Harborside Academy, Kenosha WI Great school offering a variety of options for learning and student character and educational development.

Posted: August 1, 2013

The staff and students at this school have helped my child open up more and become more confident!

Posted: August 1, 2013

This school is unique and he kids love it. The teachers really go out of their way to help the kids.

Posted: January 25, 2012

A fabulous school with so much to be proud of. The teachers are helpful, committed, and interested in the success of the students. The principal has created a safe environment for this close-knit group of students to learn. The community service the students of this school do for the community is unmatched by any school in KUSD. These students are completing great projects around the city and around the country that are benefiting community members, those in need, and other students. What the students and faculty accomplish simply astounds me.