![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Class of 2020 to join Upper School in upcoming school year
Upper School Head Butch Keller delivers a speech to the students assembled in the Quad for Matriculation, a ceremony which welcomed freshmen and introduced them to the Upper School. The class of 2020 will submit its high school applications this week to join the upper school this fall.
January 14, 2016
The class of 2020 will submit its high school applications this week to join the upper school this fall.
Many applicants plan to apply to Harker’s upper school from other middle schools. Approximately 25 to 40 seats are available for outside applicants. The deadline for these applicants is Thursday, and as of now there are approximately 290 applicants.
In the application process, students fill out forms on the Harker website, write one essay and attend an interview with executive director of admissions Jennifer Hargreaves.
“I’ve seen some really talented students among the applicants for 2020,” Hargreaves said. “There is a wide range of students applying with interesting personalities and achievements.”
There are around 170 students currently in the class of 2020. Middle school division head Cindy Ellis commented her thoughts on the class of 2020.
“The leadership in this class is very extraordinary,” she said. “The comradery between the students is positive and accepting. They are all successful in their respective fields, such as athletics or debate. I’ve found them to be very proactive with school policies.”
Students still have the opportunity to shadow Harker students, in which they can accompany upper school students to their classes for one day.
“I definitely recommend that people shadow at the high school,” Ellis said. “It is necessary that they know their environment, and people can familiarize themselves with both the campus and community here at Harker.”
Brendan Wong (8) shared his thoughts on the transition to high school life.
“From seeing my brother go through high school, I feel like I am not ready for high school,” Brendan said. “Having a lot more homework and putting a lot more effort into school work is really going to be a turn around. At the same time you are more than halfway done with school and on to your adult life.”
Applicants for the Upper School will be notified of the acceptance or rejection around April.
