What is the Harkness Program at Rocky Hill School?

Rocky Hill School utilizes the Harkness Method of teaching to encourage students to be independent learners and to come up with ideas of their own and learn effective discussion and reasoning skills.

“Harkness is a teaching method where faculty and students exchange ideas and information around (an oval) table” - RHS

"…The Harkness table is the academic heart of (an) institution and the best example of how we all learn to think more creatively, deeply and compassionately when we experience the various viewpoints of others."  Tom Hassan, Principal from Exeter (Harkness program originated at Exeter in 1930)

You can watch this video below to learn more about the Harkness Method of teaching being used at Rocky Hill School.  Enjoy!

Some quotes and Insights about the Harkness Program as heard on the Rocky Hill School video –

• “Often what the kids discover is that when they really listen to what each other are saying…and when they take the time to pause and reflect and listen…well that insight is often more powerful then any lecture that I could ever present to the student… Being comfortable asserting your perspective and then listening to a counter point and arguing against that and being able to stand firm, or to concede that you could have presented your perspective more clearly…it’s that self awareness that can translate across  not just all disciplines but beyond the school classroom”  Doug Poskitt – Dean of Faculty
  

• “I felt that Harkness definitely helped me to ask those prime questions that move a discussion forward… and allows (that discussion) to open up in a new direction… Being able to speak my mind and really feel comfortable asking questions…that is something Harkness certainly gave me.  Ellie Sharpe ‘09

• “…my kids have benefited from (Harkness) because there is nowhere to hide in a classroom like this.  They start thinking of their peers as collaborators in a learning process as opposed to kids just sitting in a linear way…really being part of the group that’s responsible for learning.”  Fraser Gilbane, RHS Parent