Harris School

Harris School is located in Collingdale, PA and services children in 1st through 8th grades.

In addition to the core curriculum of reading, math, science and social studies, students receive instruction in art, library, music and physical education. Students benefit from the integration among the special subject teachers and the classroom teachers. These integrated projects provide for a greater understanding of information from the core program.

Harris School is an award winning Reading First School with an emphasis in grades 1 through 3 on the 5 critical elements for reading-phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Teachers have received extensive professional development on instructional ways to improve students' reading. Our reading coaches work with our classroom teachers on ways of evaluating and delivering instruction based upon students' strengths and weaknesses. Improving our students' PSSA scores continues to be a building-wide goal with reading and math test-taking strategies being taught at each grade level.

Teachers use technology to enhance student learning while students gain an appreciation for and understanding of its multifaceted benefits, such as, graphic arts, telecommunications, newsletters, spreadsheets, simulation, data analysis, word processing, digital imaging and music composition.

The Harris School library is fully computerized and serviced by a certified librarian who provides opportunities for on-line research as well as the library skills of locating information in texts and reference materials. The beauty of a range of literary genres is shared with students and integrated into their daily classroom experiences.

Our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have the opportunity to be involved in several competitive activities, such as the Stock Market Game, the National Geography Bee and the Delaware County Spelling Bee in addition to local writing contests. In the Spring of 2004, one Harris team was the First Place winner in the Stock Market Game and 6 of the top 10 teams were from Harris School.

The faculty, staff and community have been supportive of our Harris Citizenship Policy and this year we have incorporated Responsive Classroom and our Character Education program into our daily activities. Students are taught these monthly values and incentive programs are in practice on a daily, weekly and monthly schedule.

There are intramurals after school activities for our 5th through 8th grade students and intermural activities for our 7th and 8th grade students. In addition, we have an extensive Field Day for our elementary students as well as a strong Physical Education program.