Strides Toward Excellence: The Harford Heights Model

Abstract

Harford Heights Elementary, a modified open space school, opened in 1975 with a student population of approximately 2,100. In its more than a decade of existence, Harford Heights has established and maintained high standards which have ensured continuous student growth. Outstanding features of our school include the following: pre-kindergarten program; kindergarten through grade five program; vocal music, art, instrumental music, physical education, library, and foreign language; computer-assisted instruction; specific learning disabilities classes; language learning disabled classes; Citywide Gifted and Talented Program (GATE); after-school recreational and tutorial classes; speech classes; and Chapter 1 services (parent liaison, Hi-I Labs, reading and mathematics classes). The staff believes that all children can learn, and that education is a process characterized by a flexible environment where options and alternatives guide children toward relevant learning experiences planned and implemented cooperatively by students, parents, and educators. This process promotes decision making, problem solving, positive attitudes and self images, community involvement, responsibility, mutual respect, accountability, individualization, independence, social growth, a desire to learn, and maximum utilization of resources. The current student population of Harford Heights is 1,785; 94 percent of this population is black. Many of our students reside in low-income housing, participate in the free lunch program, and are the products of single-parent homes. Harford Heights enjoys an average student attendance of 95 percent and a staff attendance rate of 96 percent. The disciplinary removal/suspension rate is extremely low. We benefit from Chapter 1 services which include supplementary reading and mathematics teachers; High Intensity Lab reading