Harmony Public Schools (or HPS) is a

charter management organization A charter management organization (CMO) is an educational organization that operates charter schools in the United States. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of the local government school district. A CMO contracts with ...

that operates the largest network of charter schools in

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

, with 61 campuses serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Established in 2000, Harmony emphasizes

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an umbrella term used to group together the distinct but related technical disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The term is typically used in the context of ...

(STEM) education. Headquartered in the Southwest Management District (formerly Greater Sharpstown),

Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

History

The first Harmony Public School opened in

in 2000 with 200 students, following a charter school proposal developed by a group of Turkish-American graduate students, including Dr. Soner Tarim as one of the founders, who also became the first superintendent/CEO of the school. The proposal was approved by the

Texas Education Agency The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the branch of the government of Texas responsible for public education in Texas in the United States.

in April 2000, with the inaugural campus opening in August of the same year. Cosmos Foundation sponsored the establishment of the school. Harmony Public Schools expanded with its second campus opening in

Austin Austin refers to: Common meanings * Austin, Texas, United States, a city * Austin (given name), a list of people and fictional characters * Austin (surname), a list of people and fictional characters * Austin Motor Company, a British car manufac ...

in 2002, followed by a third campus in

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

in 2004. In 2005, the network started elementary schools. By 2006, over 85% of the student population at each campus consisted of minority students. Within a decade of its founding, Harmony expanded to 33 campuses across Texas, becoming the largest charter network in the state, serving approximately 16,500 students by that time. As of 2016, there were 46 campuses, serving over 30,000 students. By the end of 2024, the network has 61 campuses and 45,000 students.

Academic performance

Harmony Public Schools aims to improve access to

(STEM) education for students from low-

socioeconomic Economics () is a behavioral science that studies the Production (economics), production, distribution (economics), distribution, and Consumption (economics), consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interac ...

backgrounds. Its proprietary "STEM Students on the Stage" (STEM SOS) model combines teacher-led instruction, hands-on activities, and interdisciplinary projects to enhance academic performance and 21st-century skills. The approach fosters collaboration, communication, and self-motivation, preparing students for higher education and STEM careers. In 2011, the

Texas Education Agency The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the branch of the government of Texas responsible for public education in Texas in the United States.

(TEA) rated 21 out of 33 Harmony schools as either "Exemplary" or "Recognized," with the remaining schools receiving an "Acceptable" rating. As of 2015–2016 academic year, all Harmony Public Schools campuses met or exceeded the state academic standards, with six campuses earning all seven available academic distinctions and two districts receiving the post-secondary readiness distinction. As of 2010, Texas newspapers, including ''

The Dallas Morning News ''The Dallas Morning News'' is a daily newspaper serving the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, with an average print circulation in 2022 of 65,369. It was founded on October 1, 1885, by Alfred Horatio Belo as a satellite publication of the ' ...

'', the ''

Austin American-Statesman The ''Austin American-Statesman'' is the major daily newspaper for Austin, the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is owned by Hearst Communications. The distribution of the following ''The New York Times'', ''The Washington Post'', '' ...

'', and the '' West University Examiner'', commented favorably on the schools. HSA Houston was awarded by '' U.S. News & World Report'' a 'Bronze' medal in 2009 and a 'Silver' Medal in 2010. A ''

Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly news magazine based in New York City. Founded as a weekly print magazine in 1933, it was widely distributed during the 20th century and has had many notable editors-in-chief. It is currently co-owned by Dev P ...

'' report in 2011 named two of the Harmony schools "Miracle Schools". In January 2024, Eighteen Harmony campuses in Texas, including four in El Paso, were named "State Schools of Character" by Character.org for their commitment to character development and community leadership. As of 2024, Harmony had 40 State School of Character winners and 21 National School of Character winners, the highest number among U.S. school systems for character education.

Participation in competitions

Harmony Public Schools emphasizes extracurricular activities, encouraging students to participate in a range of academic and STEM competitions. Students are particularly active in programs such as MathCounts, the

FIRST LEGO League The ''FIRST'' Lego League Challenge (formerly known as ''FIRST'' Lego League) is an international competition organized by '' FIRST'' for elementary and middle school students (ages 9–14 in the United States and Canada, 9-15 elsewhere). Each y ...

(FLL), DISTCO (Digital Storytelling Contests), science fairs, and

Quiz Bowl Quiz bowl (quizbowl, scholars' bowl, scholastic bowl, academic bowl, academic team, academic challenge, etc.) is a family of quiz-based competitions that test players on Outline of academic disciplines, a wide variety of academic subjects. Stand ...

. The Harmony Science Academy in Euless was recognized as the "Best School" at the

Fort Worth Fort Worth is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, Tarrant County, covering nearly into Denton County, Texas, Denton, Johnson County, Texas, Johnson, Parker County, Texas, Parker, and Wise County, Te ...

Regional Science and Engineering Fair in 2010, just a year after opening. Additionally, Harmony School of Excellence earned first place at the national level in its rookie year and second place in its third year. Harmony Schools hosted several I-SWEEEP (International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering, and Environment Project), an international

science fair A science fair or engineering fair is an event hosted by a school that offers students the opportunity to experience the practices of science and engineering for themselves. In the United States, the Next Generation Science Standards makes ex ...

that attracts students from numerous countries to present their projects. The event held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, with many Harmony campuses participated to support their classmates and exhibit their own work.

Management and operations

Financial operations

Harmony Public Schools holds a AAA financial bond rating, reflecting its qualification for the Texas

Permanent School Fund The Texas Permanent School Fund is a sovereign wealth fund which serves to provide revenues for funding of public primary and secondary education in the US state of Texas. Its assets include many publicly owned lands within Texas and various other ...

(PSF) Bond Guarantee Program. The network has also secured significant federal funding, including a five-year, $30 million

Race to the Top Race to the Top (R2T, RTTT or RTT) was a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competitive grant created to spur and reward innovation and reforms in state and local district K–12 education. Funded as part of the American Reco ...

grant awarded in the 2011–2012 academic year. Five Harmony schools in

reported spending $7,923 per student, approximately $800 less than the statewide average and $1,600 below the Austin Independent School District average. According to Kate Alexander of the ''Austin American-Statesman'', the schools achieved strong academic performance despite operating "on a shoestring." In 2012, it was reported that the Harmony network also provides

management Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a Government agency, government bodies through business administration, Nonprofit studies, nonprofit management, or the political s ...

and

consulting A consultant (from "to deliberate") is a professional (also known as ''expert'', ''specialist'', see variations of meaning below) who provides advice or services in an area of specialization (generally to medium or large-size corporations). Cons ...

services to other charter school networks. According to Tarim, Cosmos, the managing entity of Harmony, offers consulting services to the School of Science and Technology in

San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...

, which is operated by the Riverwalk Education Foundation and governed by an independent school board separate from Harmony Public Schools. In 2015, Harmony received $22.8 million in federal grants and $229.2 million in local and state funding. In 2024, the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) awarded Harmony Public Schools its highest honors for financial responsibility, including the Award of Excellence for Financial Management and the Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations. Harmony was the first Texas public charter school to receive the Award of Merit in 2019 and the Award of Excellence in 2023, earning both recognitions again in 2024. In October the same year, Harmony announced $15 million in bonuses for teachers and staff, with average stipends ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. Harmony also participates in the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, providing high-performing teachers with annual rewards of up to $30,000.

Business contracting

The Harris County Department of Education supports Harmony Public Schools in its bidding process by reviewing submissions and recommending the lowest responsible bidder to the board of directors for contract approval.

Criticism

In May 2016, Amsterdam & Partners LLP filed a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) alleging Harmony Public Schools engaged in employment discrimination based on national origin and gender, improper vendor selection, and misappropriation of public funds. The complaint also raised concerns about potential ties to the

Gülen movement The Gülen movement () or Hizmet movement () is an Islamist fraternal movement. It is a sub-sect of Sunni Islam based on a Nursian theological perspective as reflected in Fethullah Gülen's religious teachings. It is referred to by its membe ...

, led by Turkish cleric

Fethullah Gülen Muhammed Fethullah Gülen (27 April 1941 – 20 October 2024) was a Turkish Ulama, Muslim scholar, preacher, and leader of the Gülen movement who as of 2016 had millions of followers. Gülen was an influential Neo-Ottomanism, neo-Ottomanist, A ...

Use of H1-B visas

As of 2011, Harmony Public Schools faced scrutiny for its use of H-1B visas to employ Turkish-born staff, with 292 out of 1,500 employees working under the program, and for awarding contracts to Turkish-owned businesses. Despite these criticisms, the schools received praise for their academic performance and were recognized as one of the highest-rated charter school networks in Texas. As of the 2016–17 school year, 197 of Harmony Public Schools' 3,500 employees, or less than 7%, were on H1-B visas, primarily from Turkey, a decrease from previous years when 20% of the workforce held such visas. To reduce reliance on foreign workers, Harmony implemented a "grow your own teacher program" to encourage former students to pursue careers in math and science education. The initiative has led to 80 alumni returning as teachers and 300 working as teacher aides while attending college.

Influence of Gülen movement

Harmony schools has been accused at many events of having ties to the Gülen movement, a global network inspired by Turkish cleric Gülen. While critics suggest alignment with Gülen's teachings, Harmony officials deny any formal connection to the movement. William Martin of

Rice University William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University, is a Private university, private research university in Houston, Houston, Texas, United States. Established in 1912, the university spans 300 acres. Rice University comp ...

said, as paraphrased by

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

, that "educators' assertions of 'no organic connection' to Gülen are 'accurate,' but that 'their efforts to minimize ties to Gülen, likely from fear of being branded

Islamists Islamism is a range of Religion, religious and Politics, political ideological movements that believe that Islam should influence political systems. Its proponents believe Islam is innately political, and that Islam as a political system is su ...

, bring unnecessary and probably counterproductive suspicion.'"Toppo, Greg.
Objectives of charter schools with Turkish ties questioned
" ''

''. August 17, 2010. Retrieved on August 29, 2012.

Civil rights compliance review

Harmony Public Schools underwent a compliance review by the

United States Department of Education The United States Department of Education is a cabinet-level department of the United States government, originating in 1980. The department began operating on May 4, 1980, having been created after the Department of Health, Education, and ...

Office for Civil Rights The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Education that is primarily focused on enforcing civil rights laws prohibiting schools from engaging in discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex ...

(OCR) to assess adherence to Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin),

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Section, Sectioning, or Sectioned may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * Section (music), a complete, but not independent, musical idea * Section (typography), a subdivision, especially of a chapter, in books and documents ** Section ...

(prohibiting discrimination based on disability in federally funded education programs), and Title II of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (prohibiting disability-based discrimination by public entities). The review determined that while HPS's admissions policies and procedures appeared non-discriminatory, the enrollment of students with disabilities and

English-language learner English-language learner (often abbreviated as ELL) is a term used in some English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada to describe a person who is learning the English language and has a native language that is not English. Some ...

s was notably lower compared to public school districts in the same areas. The investigation was resolved in late 2014 after HPS submitted proposals to address the issues identified by the OCR.

Superintendents/CEOs

* Dr. Soner Tarim (2000-2017) * Fatih Ay (2017-present)

Schools

Harmony Public Schools initially operated in repurposed spaces, such as former retail locations and facilities leased from churches, which are common for charter schools. Following the sale of over $645 million in state-guaranteed public bonds, Harmony began constructing its own campuses, although some schools continue to operate in leased facilities. It is the largest charter school network in Texas, operating 61 campuses and serving approximately 45,000 students from

kindergarten Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cen ...

through

12th grade Twelfth Grade (also known as Grade 12, Senior Year, Standard 12, 12th Standard, 12th Class, or Class 12th or Class 12) is the twelfth and final Educational stage, year of Formal education, formal or compulsory education. It is typically the final ...

Austin

* Harmony Science Academy (PK-8) * Harmony School of Science (K-5) * Harmony School of Innovation (PK-5) * Harmony Science Academy-Pflugerville (6–12) * Harmony School of Excellence (6–12) * Harmony Science Academy Cedar Park (PK-5) * Harmony School of Endeavor (PK-12)

Beaumont

* Harmony Science Academy Elementry (K-5) * Harmony Middle-High (6-12)

Brownsville

* Harmony Science Academy (K-8) * Harmony School Of Innovation (6–12)

Bryan/College Station

* Harmony Science Academy (K-8)

Dallas

* Harmony School of Innovation-Carrollton (K-5) * Harmony School of Excellence (6–12) * Harmony Science Academy Dallas (K-12) * Harmony Science Academy Carrollton (6–12) * Harmony School of Innovation-Dallas (6–12) * Harmony Science Academy Plano (K-6) * Harmony Science Academy (K-5) * Harmony Science Academy Garland (K-6) * Harmony School of Innovation Garland (6-12)

El Paso

* Harmony School of Excellence (K-5) * Harmony Science Academy (6–12) * Harmony School of Innovation (K-12)

Fort Worth

* Harmony Science Academy (K-5) * Harmony Science Academy (6-8) * Harmony School of Innovation (6–12)

Garland/Rowlett/Sachse

* Harmony Science Academy (K-6) * Harmony School of Innovation (7–12)

Grand Prairie

* Harmony Science Academy (K-8)

Euless

* Harmony School of Innovation (pre-K-5) * Harmony Science Academy (6–12)

Houston

* Harmony School of Fine Arts and Technology (K-8) * Harmony School of Excellence (K-8) * Harmony School of Endeavor (K-8) * Harmony School of Technology (K-8) * Harmony School of Achievement (K-5) * Harmony School of Enrichment (K-5) * Harmony School of Advancement (9-12) * Harmony Science Academy High School (9-12) * Harmony School of Discovery (6-12) * Harmony School of Exploration (K-5)

* Harmony School of Ingenuity (6-12) * Harmony School of Innovation-Katy (6-12) * Harmony School of Innovation (6-8) * Harmony School of Technology (6-8) * Harmony Science Academy-Katy (PK-3) * Harmony Science Academy- Katy Middle (4-7) * Harmony School of Innovation (8-12)

Laredo

* Harmony School of Excellence (9-12) * Harmony Science Academy (6-8) * Harmony School of Innovation (K-5)

Lubbock

* Harmony Science Academy (PreK-8)

Odessa

* Harmony Science Academy (K-8)

San Antonio

* Harmony Science Academy (6-12) * Harmony School of Innovation (Pre-K-8) * Harmony School of Excellence (PreK-8)

Waco

* Harmony Science Academy (K-5) * Harmony School of Innovation (6-12)

Behavioral System

Harmony Public Schools for grades 6–12 utilize a behavioral system to document student actions. The system includes the "Positive Behavior Award" (PBA), which acknowledges students for constructive contributions, such as organizing classroom materials or assisting with tasks. Conversely, "Reinforcement Points" (RP) are issued for behaviors that deviate from the guidelines outlined in the Harmony Student Handbook. Examples of actions that may result in RP include not adhering to the dress code, which requires grade-specific uniforms, or other infractions such as sleeping during class.

Alumni

Harmony Public Schools launches the "Together We Give" campaign annually to raise funds for supporting its college-enrolled alumni. The initiative aims to provide scholarships, mentorships, internships, and career preparation resources.

Awards and recognitions

* 2009-10 - HSA Houston was awarded by '' U.S. News & World Report'' a 'Bronze' medal in 2009 and a 'Silver' Medal in 2010. * 2011 - 21 of the 33 Harmony schools were rated as "Exemplary" or "Recognized" by the

Texas Education Agency The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the branch of the government of Texas responsible for public education in Texas in the United States.

(TEA). * 2011 - Two of the Harmony schools were named "Miracle Scools". * 2017 - The Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools - Finalist. * 2019 - The first public charter school to win the Award of Merit by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). * 2023 - 23 Harmony campuses were recognized in the "Best High Schools in America" list, the highest number for any public charter school network in

. * 2023 - The first public charter school to win the Award of Excellence in Financial Management by TASBO. * 2024 - Harmony won both the Award of Excellence for Financial Management and Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations by TASBO. * 2024 - 18 Harmony schools in Texas were recognized as "State Schools of Character" by Character.org for their efforts in character education. * 2024 - It received the Texas CyberStar certificate from the

Texas Department of Information Resources The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is a state agency of Texas. It has its headquarters in Suite 1300 in the William P. Clements Building in Downtown Austin Austin refers to: Common meanings * Austin, Texas, United States, a city ...

for its strong data protection and cybersecurity measures. * 2024 - It received 43 awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), making it the most award-winning program in America for 2024.

References

External links

* {{Harris County, Texas Schools Charter schools in Texas School districts in Texas School districts in Houston School districts in Dallas Educational institutions established in 2000 School districts established in 2000 2000 establishments in Texas