The philosophy of Harrington College is rooted in goals that embrace the development of the whole individual. Integrity, responsibility, honesty, self reliance and commitment to community are emphasized.

Overview

At HCC we offer a comprehensive and challenging academic program. Our courses follow the Ministry of Education (MELS) guidelines and expectations. As an independent school we aim higher and expect more from our students and our staff. We provide students with an enriched and rigorous academic program which allows them to excel and exceed expectations.

The program is relentless in its pursuit of knowledge and personal development. Because of our size and the small student teacher ratio, we offer a highly individualized program, one in which student learning styles, pacing and individual interests are explored and developed to seek a deeper understanding of concepts and ideas. Our individualized program also offers many opportunities for hands-on, real-life learning. English is the language of instruction at HCC.

Evaluation Policy

Measurement of student competencies, student personal development and student performance in subject specific areas are driven by target outcomes per subject, at each grade level. Cegep, or junior college students will receive, only, a transcript reflecting subject specific performance. At Harrington, we are dedicated to the full development of each student and our measurement of student progress, student citizenship and individual growth are reflected in the form and substance of our report cards. In each subject area, we will evaluate what the Ministry of Education has isolated as subject specific competencies. For example, in English Language Arts and Literature, as for other subjects, there are 3 or as many as 4 competencies to assess. Competencies are typically graded on a scale of 1 to 5 wherein 5 is the highest of the ratings to achieve. A verbal description of exactly what that competency rating means is available, in full, on our web site and, further, a brief description of the competency is provided on the report card. At Harrington, we assign percentage equivalencies to the 1 to 5 scale. Accordingly, on the college’s report cards, you will find an overall assessment, expressed in percentage form, and adjacent to the student’s result, a percentage expression of the class average in that same subject area. Progress and summary reports will be issued, in this form, at the mid-point and end of each semester. Accordingly, there are four such reports provided each year and the final report will reflect a summary grade for the course as a whole. A compulsory parent-student-teacher portfolio viewing is also included in the evaluation scheme. For parents of students who do not live within convenient distances from the school, individual video skype conferences will be scheduled so that we may all sit in the same virtual room where we will celebrate progress and review strategies to which we can collectively commit for the coming term. As each student brings different learning styles to the learning experience and since each student responds differently to a multitude of evaluation instruments, we pay particular attention to using means that reflect the diverse audience of learners. Among those means, we include interactive oral evaluations. Should you have questions about the policy, systems or instruments used, the Headmaster would be pleased to speak with you.

Objective

To instill a desire for life-long learning, to foster a vision, to challenge, motivate and prepare our students for acceptance into the university and program of their choice.

Academic Program

Harrington offers a full secondary school core curriculum (grades 7 to 11) in accordance with the Quebec Ministry of Education requirements. All students write the  required MELS exams and graduate with a Diplôme d’études Secondaires (DES). Students are also prepared for and encouraged to take the PSAT/ SAT and ACT exams.

Harrington is also a post secondary college and offers the 2 year Quebec CEGEP program. Note to non Quebec students; the Quebec Minister of Education requires a k-11 high school program followed by a 2 year junior college program, preparing students to enter a 3 year undergraduate university program. In the end Quebec students, like students from across the world, acquire their undergraduate degree after 16 years of education.

At HCC all students at the Secondary IV level are encouraged to write the PSAT (Pre Scholastic Aptitude Test) primarily as a means of allowing them the opportunity to develop a sense of their performance level in relationship to other students taking the test and not as a genuine measure of their scholastic aptitude.

Teaching staff

Teachers at Harrington understand and appreciate the unique personalities, goals and focus of the elite hockey player. They adapt their teaching styles and approach so that the curriculum is relevant thereby promoting a love of learning and maximizing each student's academic potential.

All our teachers are dedicated and passionate about working with children and understand the needs and the thought process of the elite hockey player. At Harrington, we believe that teachers are there to guide students in the right direction and help them make connections and find relevance.

Academic Advisors

All students at Harrington have an advisor that guides them, monitors their progress and becomes a 'home away from home parent' throughout their years at Harrington. Advisors maintain close contact with the student's families, keeping them abreast of their child's personal and academic progress.  

Support Staff

Testing & measurability

We believe tests are an indicator of what the student has mastered and where he or she may need more direction. Our aim is to use the results of our tests, projects and exams as guidelines in preparing each student for personal success in the MEQ exams, the SATs, and ultimate success at the university level.

SAT & ACT Preparation

Students in grade 11 and 12 receive ACT PSAT/SAT exam writing technique and practice sessions to optimize their chances for success during testing.

College Counseling

At the end of the student's journey at Harrington, he or she will be prepared to enter university in Canada, the United States or abroad. The nature of our academic program ensures that the students will have acquired the skills and credits necessary to apply to the program of their choice. Our college prep courses encourage students to explore various universities and their programs and relate them to their own goals and objectives. Students are given guidance, practice and skill training in preparation for successfully applying to the university of their choice.