Program and instructional consistency is a signature feature of Harbor Schools. Three key elements distinguish a Harbor school’s approach to academic learning from other schools.

One - Faculty and staff who decide to work in a Harbor School commit to adopting the beliefs that ground the schools’ philosophy. Their teaching, leading and working habits emerge from those beliefs.
Two - Faculty and staff use an accelerated curriculum, proven teaching strategies and student management practices that support the intellectual as well as the social, emotional and character development of children.
Three - Instructional fidelity is defined as all teachers and school associates consistently implementing Harbor philosophy and practices within the school. The consistency of structure, expectations and instruction accelerates learning. This feature brings benefits to student learning because they know what to expect from grade to grade, class to class, adult to adult. Students learn the instructional routines in early grades which accelerate their ability to focus on new information, skill development and thinking skills. The core instructional methodology is consistent across grades yet implemented with the unique creativity and talents of each teacher.

Core practices of Harbor Method include:

• Teachers teach an accelerated curriculum. There are grade level and above grade level concepts and skills everyday on concept boards, usually the whiteboards in the classroom. These concepts boards have clearly defined content and skills, chunked in small learning increments that are taught to all students each day. Concepts and skills are repeated so that students have multiple opportunities to learn and practice.
• Teachers use multi-sensory learning experiences. Teachers have students repeat rhymes, perform skits and use a variety of modalities to assist students in learning specific skills.
• All content areas are venues for character development. Harbor is an integrated approach. Learning acceptable work habits, character traits and dispositions are integrated throughout the day.

Instructional Fidelity Core Beliefs

• High expectations with high quality instruction everywhere, everyday, by everyone.
• Students benefit from consistency, coherence and creativity of the adults.
• The foundation for critical thinking habits is challenging content, proficiency in skill and curiosity.