Archive for month: November, 2019
On National STEM Day, educators across America celebrated the exciting opportunities made possible by science, technology, engineering, and math studies. Charter schools have been major contributors to making STEM education more widely available to students in every neighborhood and from every background.
One charter school network that’s leading the charge: Harmony Public Schools.
Harmony Public Schools was founded with a mission—to encourage students in underserved communities to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. There’s a well-known gap in STEM education with African American, Hispanic, and low-income students taking AP science courses and majoring in sciences in college at much lower rates than White, Asian, and wealthier students. But Harmony’s founders and educators—many of whom hold advanced degrees in science and engineering fields—knew that these disparities were about access, not ability, so they leveraged the charter school model to build a different kind of school.
Based in Houston, Harmony places a heavy emphasis on STEM through its award-winning PreK-12 curriculum and helps students gain critical job skills and hands-on experience for the future. At Harmony campuses, it’s not unusual to see 2nd graders using a 3D printer to code and print their own toys or high schoolers creating 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for families in need. The end result is remarkable—58 percent of Harmony alumni choose STEM majors in college, more than double the national and Texas averages.
By exposing students to cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiences, Harmony is leveling the playing field for underrepresented groups and giving students the support they need to find their passion. Khalid, a Harmony School of Excellence alum, credited his school with helping him to discover his love of engineering and inspiring him to positively influence his community.
In addition, teachers like Theresa Gray (who was just awarded Teacher of the Year by the Texas Charter Schools Association) are given the flexibility to offer classes on Entrepreneurship and Social Media Marketing in order to prepare students for a 21st century workforce.
This dedication to personalized learning and innovative teaching approaches has paid off. Harmony has a 98 percent graduation rate, and 100 percent of those graduating seniors are accepted to college, a feat that is made even more impressive by the fact that 64 percent of Harmony alumni are the first in their family to attend college.
Harmony Public Schools have received glowing ratings from the Texas Education Agency. In 2019, the agency awarded five out of seven Harmony networks an overall “A” rating for their academics and gave all seven networks “A” ratings for financial accountability. National media have noticed, too. This year, all 23 Harmony high schools were on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best high schools.
Harmony’s CEO, Fatih Ay, says, “A solid foundation in STEM allows our students to better understand the world around them and connects them with the future careers and opportunities that can make that world a better place. That’s why STEM is at the heart of Harmony’s academic model.” Harmony schools are proving that no student should have their horizons limited by low expectations or lack of access to world-class teaching. By inspiring students to pursue some of the most innovative work in the world, Harmony is showing students that nothing is beyond their reach.
This article was written by Starlee Coleman, CEO of the Texas Charter Schools Association. It originally appeared in a blog post for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Don’t forget to pre-order your high school yearbook! Visit Ms. Montoya room 520 or the front office for more information!
Harmony Public Schools is recruiting talented, compassionate bilingual teachers dedicated to helping every student succeed. Harmony offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a commitment to excellence in the classroom.
Interested applicants may click here to apply online.
Harmony Family!
Please view the images/links for the girls varsity basketball team schedule. Bring that school spirit and help us win!
Harmony Family!
Please view the images/links for the boys varsity basketball team schedule.
Hello Harmony Family!
Please view the attached image regarding the new traffic flow. This will be in effect starting today 11/12/2019 during dismissal. Please be aware that traffic can now flow through the back of the school into Burgundy street just like it used to be before the construction began.
Please help us by following the new traffic flow and again, we thank you for your patience all this months.
FREE ADMISSION! Open to the Public
JOIN US! View the latest and greatest projects and demonstrations from our SUPER STEM STUDENTS!
When: Saturday, December 7th Where: Cielo Vista Mall Who: 3rd-12th Grade Students
Web: epstemexpo.org
We hope to see you all at Panda Express located on Lee Trevino on November 15 in support of our high school boys soccer team!
Open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year at Harmony Public Schools has begun. Here’s everything you need to know to apply for next year.
Families of Current Harmony Public Schools Students Intending to Stay at Current Campus Next Year
Wait for your re-enrollment form to arrive at the start of the second semester, then submit it between January 6-24 to let us know you’ll be coming back in 2020-2021
Families of Current Harmony Public Schools Students Intending to Move Campuses Next Year
Visit HarmonyTX.org/Apply from Nov. 1-Feb. 10 to apply for enrollment to your new intended Harmony campus.
Families of Potential New Harmony Public Schools Students
Visit HarmonyTX.org/Apply from Nov. 1-Feb. 10 to learn more about Harmony and apply for open enrollment.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Every child isn’t the same. So why should every school be?
Harmony Public Schools believes each student can achieve their own unique, full potential through a caring and collaborative academic environment that emphasizes personalized learning and innovative instructional methods.
WHAT MAKES HARMONY DIFFERENT
Engaging Education: Our project-based learning engages critical thinking skills and makes learning fun with hands-on activities that educate and excite.
Skills for Tomorrow: Our curriculum has been recognized by the TEA & others for providing students the STEM skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future.
College Ready: Harmony has a 100% college acceptance rate, and almost two-thirds of our students are the first in their families ever to attend college.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Harmony Public Schools charge tuition to attend?
Absolutely not. Harmony is a tuition-free, Texas public charter school. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to attend a high-quality public school that fits their individual needs regardless of income.
Who is eligible to attend Harmony Public Schools?
All children residing in a Harmony school’s geographic boundary who meet registration requirements are eligible to attend. Unlike most other schools, though, Harmony’s geographic boundaries are much wider and generally include the entire community in which the school resides, meaning that all students in the area – regardless of neighborhood or family income level – have the same opportunity to attend a high-quality Harmony school.
What documents do I need to apply?
No documents are needed just to apply. However, if your child is selected for enrollment during the lottery process, you will need to provide a few basic documents that verify your child’s identity and home address.
I have a child in Harmony already, and would like to enroll their sibling for the first time. Do I still need to apply?
Yes. Siblings of current Harmony students still need to apply, but are given priority status if a campus lottery is needed.
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 1
Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Begins for New Students
January 6-24
Re-Enrollment Period for Current Students
February 10
Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Application Deadline
February 11-25
Campus Lotteries Held (if needed)
Open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year at Harmony Public Schools has begun. Here’s everything you need to know to apply for next year.
Families of Current Harmony Public Schools Students Intending to Stay at Current Campus Next Year
Wait for your re-enrollment form to arrive at the start of the second semester, then submit it between January 6-24 to let us know you’ll be coming back in 2020-2021
Families of Current Harmony Public Schools Students Intending to Move Campuses Next Year
Visit HarmonyTX.org/Apply from Nov. 1-Feb. 10 to apply for enrollment to your new intended Harmony campus.
Families of Potential New Harmony Public Schools Students
Visit HarmonyTX.org/Apply from Nov. 1-Feb. 10 to learn more about Harmony and apply for open enrollment.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Every child isn’t the same. So why should every school be?
Harmony Public Schools believes each student can achieve their own unique, full potential through a caring and collaborative academic environment that emphasizes personalized learning and innovative instructional methods.
WHAT MAKES HARMONY DIFFERENT
Engaging Education: Our project-based learning engages critical thinking skills and makes learning fun with hands-on activities that educate and excite.
Skills for Tomorrow: Our curriculum has been recognized by the TEA & others for providing students the STEM skills they need for the in-demand jobs of the future.
College Ready: Harmony has a 100% college acceptance rate, and almost two-thirds of our students are the first in their families ever to attend college.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Harmony Public Schools charge tuition to attend?
Absolutely not. Harmony is a tuition-free, Texas public charter school. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to attend a high-quality public school that fits their individual needs regardless of income.
Who is eligible to attend Harmony Public Schools?
All children residing in a Harmony school’s geographic boundary who meet registration requirements are eligible to attend. Unlike most other schools, though, Harmony’s geographic boundaries are much wider and generally include the entire community in which the school resides, meaning that all students in the area – regardless of neighborhood or family income level – have the same opportunity to attend a high-quality Harmony school.
What documents do I need to apply?
No documents are needed just to apply. However, if your child is selected for enrollment during the lottery process, you will need to provide a few basic documents that verify your child’s identity and home address.
I have a child in Harmony already, and would like to enroll their sibling for the first time. Do I still need to apply?
Yes. Siblings of current Harmony students still need to apply, but are given priority status if a campus lottery is needed.
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 1
Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Begins for New Students
January 6-24
Re-Enrollment Period for Current Students
February 10
Open Enrollment for 2020-2021 Application Deadline
February 11-25
Campus Lotteries Held (if needed)
Translate
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Media & Public Relations
For media requests, please send an email to media@harmonytx.org with details of the request.
For more information, please visit our Media & Public Relations page.
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Website Accessibility
Harmony Public Schools (“Harmony”) is committed to making the information on its website accessible to individuals with disabilities in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader, eye tracking device, voice recognition software, etc.) and have difficulty accessing information on the Harmony website, please contact HPS Webmaster by email at accessibility@harmonytx.org . Please include the following when communicating with Harmony regarding accessibility issues:
A description of your accessibility concern.
The format in which you prefer to receive the materials.
The web page address of the requested material(s).
The best way to contact you (email address or phone number, or both).Harmony will make appropriate accommodations to facilitate access to any website content.
Complaints regarding website accessibility may be submitted through the Public Complaint process outlined in Board Policy PG-1.12 (Public Complaints).
Please note that some pages on the Harmony website contain links to third-party sites, which are not within Harmony’s control. If you notify Harmony of problems with accessing a third-party site that is necessary to participate in one of Harmony’s programs or activities, we will make the material or information available in an accessible format.
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Report Bullying
If you are experiencing a problem with bullying at Harmony, or have other discipline-related concerns regarding one of our schools, please fill out the form at the link below for the Dean of Students.
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HPS Child Find Policy
It is the policy of the Harmony Public Schools to ensure that
- All children with disabilities enrolled in the charter school regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated; and
- A practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children are currently receiving needed special education and related services.
These requirements apply to:
- Homeless children;
- Children who are wards of the state;
- Highly mobile children (including migrant children); and
- Children who are suspected of being in need of special education but who are advancing from grade to grade.
20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3)(A); 34 CFR 300.111(a)(1)(i), (c).
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Title IX
As required by Title IX, Harmony Public Schools does not (and is required not to) discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. This non-discrimination requirement applies to admission to and employment with Harmony Public Schools. Inquiries into issues related to Title IX may be referred to Harmony’s Title IX Coordinator(s) (identified below), to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.
Title IX training presentation link
Harmony’s Title IX Coordinators:
Students/student matters:
Charles Lambert
Director of Internal Investigations
HPS Central Office
clambert@harmonytx.org
713-343-3333 x1104 Employee and applicant matters
Kelly Ann Hebeler
Director of Employee Relations
HPS Central Office
khebeler@harmonytx.org -
Non-discrimination Statement as Part of the School's Admission Policy
It is the policy of HPS not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability in its programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, please contact Section 504/ADA Coordinator at (713) 343-3333 located at 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099.
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Non-discrimination Statement in Career and Technical Education Programs
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS offers support to school district for career and technical education programs in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Architecture and Construction; Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications; Business Management and Administration; Education and Training; Finance; Government and Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security; Manufacturing; Marketing; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics. Admission to these programs is based on enrollment in HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS secondary schools.
It is the policy of HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its CTE programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
It is the policy of HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and CTE programs.
For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator, CHARLES LAMBERT, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator, IHSAN KARA, at 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099, Phone: (713) 343-3333.
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Aviso de No discriminación en los Programas de Educación Profesional y
Técnica
Las Escuelas Públicas Harmony ofrecen programas vocacionales en Agricultura, Alimentación y Recursos Naturales; Arquitectura y Construcción; Artes, Tecnología de Audio / Video y Comunicaciones; Administración de Negocios y Administración; Educación y Entrenamiento; Finanzas; Gobierno y Administración Pública; Ciencias de la salud; Hospitalidad y Turismo; Recursos Humanos; Tecnología de la Información; Derecho; Seguridad Pública, Correccionales y Seguridad; Manufactura; Mercadeo; Ciencias, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas; Transporte, Distribución y Logística. La admisión a estos programas se basa en el número de estudiantes de secundaria registrados en las Escuelas Públicas Harmony.
Es norma de las Escuelas Públicas Harmony no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, en sus programas, servicios o actividades de CTE, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Es norma de las Escuelas Públicas Harmony no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, en sus procedimientos de empleo, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; el Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, la ley de Discriminación por Edad, de 1975, según enmienda, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Las Escuelas Públicas Harmony tomarán las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso del inglés no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en todos los programas educativos y CTE.
Para información sobre sus derechos o procedimientos para quejas, comuníquese con el Coordinador del Título IX, CHARLES LAMBERT, y/o el Coordinador de la Sección 504, IHSAN KARA, a la siguiente dirección: 9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston, TX 77099, Teléfono: (713) 343-3333.
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TX Transition and Employment Guide
The Texas Transition and Employment Guide provides youth, young adults, parents and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals to education, employment, and community living.
Please choose a version to display the guide:
— English
— Spanish