On September 4, 2001, the vision of an independent middle school for low-income boys from the City of Harrisburg became a reality as The Nativity School of Harrisburg welcomed its first class of students. Prominent local professionals and the Joshua Group, an inner-city youth development program in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, shared the dream of increasing opportunity through education. Together, they collaborated to build a community of hope in the city of Harrisburg, where the dropout rate in 2001 was nearly 75 percent. The promise of a school that specifically targets students most in need, those most at-risk, was kept with the birth of a NativityMiguel model school. 

On September 4, 2001, Nativity-Harrisburg welcomed nine students as members of its first sixth grade class. Carole Cheney, Founding Head Teacher, and the acting director greeted each student at the door of the classroom, which was transformed into Nativity-Harrisburg’s one-room schoolhouse and the setting for the adventure that lay ahead.

Nativity-Harrisburg quickly outgrew its “one-room schoolhouse” and moved to the Education Building of St. Francis of Assisi Church on Zarker Street in Allison Hill. One class of sixth graders expanded to nearly three dozen boys in 6th, 7th & 8th grades – and dozens of graduates attending Bishop McDevitt High School, Trinity High School, Harrisburg Christian School, Newport High School, Elizabethtown High School, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg SciTech High, Harrisburg Academy, and the Milton Hershey School. The staff of two grew to include full-time teachers for each grade, intern teachers, and volunteers. Building on core NativityMiguel Network principles, the extended school day helped the boys develop skills and improve their classroom performance, and the already extended school year grew to include several weeks of overnight camp. In August 2009, Nativity School relocated to its present home at 2135 North Sixth Street – the second floor of the Camp Curtin YMCA.

Nativity-Harrisburg’s tenth school year begins on August 11, 2010, with  sleepover camp at the Camp Shikellimy Aegis Learning Center in northern Dauphin County.  Summer Leadership Camp includes refresher lessons in math, language arts and social studies, participation in environmental education exercises, a range of athletic and recreational activities, and work on leadership and character-building. New students start classes on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, and all students report on Thursday, September 2.  Eighth Grade Graduation will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2011, and the 2010-2011 school year ends with the last day of June Camp on Friday, June 24, 2011.

The Nativity School of Harrisburg is a private, independent, faith-based, non-denominational preparatory middle school.  We are the only NativityMiguel Network School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  We are NOT a charter school, not a parochial school, and not a behavior-alternative school.                                

Jairee Counterman, M. Ed., Executive Director/Principal - has degrees in education from East Stroudsburg University and Shippensburg University.  She brings to Nativity over 25 years of experience as an educator and non-profit executive.

Jeffrey Mack – Assistant Director – is a 1992 graduate of Bloomsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice.  Mr. Mack has over 15 years experience in youth social services. Mr. Mack is an active officer and member of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Harrisburg Alumni Chapter.

Andrew Hermeling, Teacher – is a 2006 graduate of Messiah College and has experience as a youth leader at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and a Sycamore House worker. Mr. Hermeling advises Nativity’s Student Senate and works with the State YMCA’s Youth in Government program.

Kari Dyrli, Teacher - is a 2006 graduate of Messiah College and prior to working at Nativity had completed a year of teaching at a mission school in Honduras. She is fluent in Spanish. In 2009, one of Ms. Dyrli’s students won national recognition for essay writing.  

Meredith Scheiner, Teacher - is a 2006 graduate of Hamilton College and before coming to Nativity-Harrisburg, completed two years of teaching in Costa Rica. Ms. Scheiner interned at Nativity while a student at Harrisburg Academy and is fluent in Spanish.

Jonathan Desmarais, Teacher  – is a 2007 graduate of Messiah College and brings to Nativity a variety of camp, afterschool and music instruction experience.  Mr. Desmarais coaches Nativity’s soccer team.

Benjamin Simcox, M.Ed., Teacher – is a 2005 graduate of the University of Toledo. Mr. Simcox most recently served at Milton Hershey School ’s Springboard Academy and brings with him years of experience working with middle school students.

Arlen Zerbe, Bookkeeper - recently served as Executive Director of the Schuylkill County Symphony.

Pam Gladfelter, Volunteer Secretary – is a graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College.

Alexander Steele, Assistant Teacher – Mr. Steele is a 2009 graduate of John Harris High School and is attending Harrisburg Area Community College. Mr. Steele is a senior camp counselor for Nativity during the summer program, and will coach the basketball team.

Demond “DJ” Bates, Mentor – Mr. DJ is a well known Harrisburg coach.  During the school year, he works as a mentor/counselor with Nativity students.