Student Life
Student Life
Harford Day offers a variety of opportunities for students to explore new hobbies and interests, or refine those they have already discovered. Activities are structured to ensure they are age-appropriate and enrich their academic learning.
The Arts
The arts are central to the Harford Day School student experience. Students of all ages, from preschool through middle school, take visual arts and music classes with teachers who are experts in their fields. Arts lessons are often extensions of the core curriculum allowing students to examine topics from many angles, learn about various cultural traditions, and make interdisciplinary connections that foster deep understanding.
In preschool and lower school, students perform in an annual class theatrical production—once for parents and family, and again in an all-school assembly. Students are involved in every aspect of the process from memorizing lines and rehearsing in homeroom to learning songs and movements in music class and creating the scenery and props in art class. These holistic experiences develop students’ self-confidence, public-speaking, and creative problem-solving with each production, and over time.
In middle school, the fall play and spring musical are extracurricular activities that typically involve over 50% of middle school students from acting roles to tech crew, lighting, and sound production.
Our music program is primarily vocal and rhythm instruments. Students learn and perform songs for an audience twice a year. In preschool the children lead a holiday sing-along in December and share songs as a part of Grandparents’ and Special Friends Day in the spring. Lower and middle school students perform in the winter program and lower school students perform again in an assembly for Grandparents’ and Special Friends Day.
Harford Day hosts an artist-in-residence each year who works directly with students in the creation of various genres of art from drumming and tap-dancing to screen painting, murals, dance, and more.
In the middle school, regular classes are suspended for a week to accommodate the artist-in-residence as well as approximately thirty workshops hosted by teachers and community members in a variety of creative endeavors from cooking and crafts to hiking, gardening, photography and graphic design.
Athletics
At Harford Day, athletics are more than sports-they’re a joyful part of student life that builds teamwork, perseverance, and healthy habits. From PE classes in early grades to interscholastic teams beginning in fifth grade, every child plays. There are no cuts, just spirited participation. Students grow on and off the field—building strength, confidence, and friendships while learning teamwork and sportsmanship.
Field Experiences
Connecting learning to authentic experiences, engaging with the world beyond school walls, and fostering a sense of discovery and adventure are hallmarks of a Harford Day School education. In preschool, off-campus excursions are limited but meaningful and usually include parent chaperones to orchards, pumpkin patches, and parks. In lower school, each grade generally attends a performance, visits a museum, and participates in an outdoor activity often with parent chaperones. In middle school, each grade participates in an overnight experience and two or three daytrips that enhance group dynamics and support the curriculum.
School Traditions
At Harford Day, traditions are living threads that connect every member of our community. From spirited annual celebrations, such as Holi and our Holiday Program, to everyday rituals, they bring people together, create meaningful memories, and help students feel connected and proud to be part of something larger than themselves.
Our Traditions
Harford Day School Parent Association (HDSPA)
Harford Day School was founded by a group of parents seeking a quality education equal to the opportunities available in Baltimore. Today the tradition of parent participation remains strong through an active parent association. All adult family members are invited to attend monthly meetings (available in-person and virtual) and volunteer to assist with HDSPA sponsored community events throughout the academic year including but not limited to bingo, parent education conversations, a book club, monthly restaurant nights, and socials. Each grade has two elected representatives serving two-year terms. In addition to being voting members of the HDSPA, representatives also coordinate volunteers for classroom celebrations.Harford Day offers a variety of opportunities for students to explore new hobbies and interests, or refine those they have already discovered. Activities are structured to ensure they are age-appropriate and enrich their academic learning.