FAQs

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• Q. What do the teachers think about this project?

  The School surveyed its teachers in the spring of 2019. Overwhelmingly, they expressed satisfaction with every aspect of teaching at Harbor Day School except for the facilities. They responded to questions about the suitability for teaching, aesthetics, safety, and security almost unanimously as “needs improvement.”
  
  

  “At Harbor Day School, we refer to the library as "the heart of the school:" a central place where all are welcome to read, learn, and explore. We are a community that treasures reading and recognizes the vitality of strong information literacy and research skills, demonstrated by the fact that every student's weekly schedule includes at least one weekly period of library time. A new library will preserve and expand this important hub within our school, ensuring access to high-quality literature and research materials for our children. The new facility will address practical concerns, including noise control and collaborative space; however, the new library will retain its uniquely nurturing, warm atmosphere.”
  -  Amy Meyer, Librarian
  
  

  “A new Harbor Day School building would mean that I would have a classroom in which I could allow the free exchange of ideas among students, sharing knowledge through vocal presentations, and experimenting with technology such as robots and 3D printers, while not disturbing the learning in nearby classrooms. This is not possible in our current configuration.”
  -  Derick Pikula, K-6 Technology Teacher
  
  

  “Within the design of the new building, our students will be able to meet for small group learning instruction with the Math Specialist five days a week. Currently, this is a shared and very confined space. Additionally, support services will have access to small group collaboration spaces between classrooms, which will help with efficiency and accessibility.”
  -  Amy Grace, Math Specialist

   

• Q. Are you increasing student enrollment?

  No, there is no plan to increase student enrollment.

• Q. Why does Harbor Day School need a new campus?

  In the past 50 years, teaching and learning have evolved in many positive ways.
  
  

  As the school gradually grew, the school has undergone renovations over time. Walls were added to enhance learning and to create new classrooms. Open spaces were filled in, and even a closet was converted into a learning specialist room.
  
  

  While the current buildings and campus have served Harbor Day’s students and teachers very well for many decades, the building needs a significant amount of repair.
  
  

  Additionally, the current building was built before modern ADA standards were put in place and is difficult for students and adults with mobility limitations to navigate. The new buildings will be located on our current site at 3443 Pacific View Drive.

• Q. How is the new campus being funded?

  Harbor Day is fortunate to benefit from the generosity of many philanthropic families. Early donor commitments in conjunction with endowment funds and traditional financing have provided the Board of Trustees with confidence to move forward with the current schedule of building project plans.
  
  

  This is a very exciting time in Harbor Day School's history. Fundraising through the capital campaign will continue through construction and is necessary to ensure the completion of the new campus. The school hopes to raise as much as possible through individual donations. Each and every family will have the opportunity to support this project.

• Q. Will tuition increase?

  Every year, the tuition at Harbor Day School increases to provide for faculty and staff salaries and increases in operational expenses. The new building will provide more for our students, and the additional cost will be on top of standard operational increases.

• Q. Why should the new campus be built now?

  School leadership has considered and studied the options for a new building for more than a decade. During that time, the current buildings have aged and deteriorated. We are at a point where the need is great. Many parents and past parents have expressed their desire for new facilities.

• Q. When will students start in the new building?

  We anticipate students starting in the main campus building when they return from winter break, January 2022.

• Q. What about the safety of the students on campus?

  All construction entrances/exits will be separate from any school entrances/exits. The general contractor will restrict access to these areas. All construction personnel will be separated from students, faculty, and staff. Construction personnel will be required to go through a job-specific orientation and Live Scan process. They will be issued badges and parking passes to park in the designated construction parking areas. Daily safety inspections will be done by the on-site superintendent.

• Q. When will construction begin?

  Construction began in Spring 2020.

• Q. What do you have in place for noise control or disruptive activities?

  An effort will be made to schedule loud or disruptive activities while school is not in session. If this type of work is performed during school hours, Harbor Day will be notified prior to the start of these activities and will be monitored to confirm school activities are being impacted. The general contractor will coordinate construction activities to minimize impacts to school operations, drop-off, pick-up, etc. throughout the project.

• Q. How will the air quality be monitored?

  In addition to SCAQMD Mandated Rule 403, all land clearing and earth clearing activity areas shall be watered as necessary to remain moist during active operations. Unpaved areas shall be watered daily as necessary to reduce dust. The general contractor shall maintain and operate construction equipment to minimize exhibit emissions – For example, engines will be turned off while idle and or while loading/unloading.

• Q. What are the construction hours?

  Construction Activities will be on weekdays from 7.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. and 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Saturdays per the City of Newport Beach.