Welcome to Harper Elementary School’s website. Harper is a K – 5 school located at 21 S. Alvord Blvd. Harper is a part of the BEST (Bosse Exemplary School Team) District. Our students move on to Washington Middle School and Bosse High School. The other schools in the BEST district are: Dexter, Glenwood Leadership Academy, and Lodge Community School.
Harper was built in 1950 and had the largest playground with many afterschool programs. The tradition of afterschool programs continues with the support of our PTA, parents, University of Evansville, University of Southern Indiana, staff, and community organizations. We’re always looking for ways to expand our programs.
High expectations are set for all students both academically and behaviorally. HIVE is our goal which is: Healthy Choices, Integrity, Values Learning, and Excellence. We focus on those standards whether we’re in school, at home, or in the community. When we do those things we are “bucket fillers” because our goal is to be kind to one another. Students are taught being negative or mean to others is “dipping in their buckets”.
Students are recognized for being “bucket fillers” by earning “Hive Hoorays”. The Hive Hoorays are given to students who display the qualities of a Harper Hornet which are: making healthy choices, integrity, values learning and excellence. On the last day of the week names of students who have displayed those qualities are given an opportunity to select a “choice” item such as: booth pass, computer time, homework pass, first in line to name a few.
The Green River Kiwanis sponsors the BUG (Bring Up Grades) program after the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grading periods. Students are recognized for their grades if they bring up one grade and not go down in any. Students are also recognized for improving their behavior.
Harper is a “Dress for Success” School which means students wear uniforms. Our uniforms are navy or tan bottoms with any color polo. Students must wear enclosed shoes.
The academic needs of all students are met in the classroom by teaching students at their instructional level. Students who need enrichment or supplemental activities are given them to assist them in growing academically.
Students rotate daily between vocal music, art, and physical education.
Students in fifth grade have the opportunity to play an instrument by attending Washington Middle School with 5th graders from Dexter. Students are brought to Harper by bus to begin their school day after starting it at Washington Middle School.
Our parent and community involvement is second to none. The partnerships with our parents and community has allowed us to purchase computers for the lab, collapsible basketball goals, a climbing wall, classroom materials, and bus transportation for afterschool programs to name a few. We also support “Hangers”, the Area Council PTA Clothing Bank with shampoo and the Rescue Mission with food. Our partnership with Youth First has allowed us to have a social worker and provides a “strengthening Families” class.
We’re excited to have the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation assisting us in naming the Harper Auditorium after Mrs. Mattie Miller. Mrs. Miller was the first African American teacher at Harper when integration began in EVSC in 1960. She later became principal of Harper School along with working with the National Education Association and other organizations in the United States.