An Overview about Harmony Schools

 

Science, Math, and Computer Technology Emphasis

Harmony Schools are college preparatory charter schools.  A strong emphasis is placed on mathematics, science, and computer applications on our campuses.  An exceptionally high quality education is being delivered to nearly 12000 students at 25 campuses in grades Pre-K through 12 on all campuses throughout Texas.

 

Exemplary Performance

The Cosmos Foundation, non-profit parent organization, has been operating twenty five (25) successful high performance charter schools in Texas.  The first charter, Harmony Science Academy-Houston, was established in August of 2000 and was rated exemplary in 2004, 2005, and 2006.  Harmony Science Academy–Austin began operation in 2002 and was rated recognized in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Harmony Science Academy-Dallas commenced operations in 2004 and was rated recognized in 2005 and rated exemplary in 2006.  Harmony Elementary-Houston completed its first year and was rated academically acceptable.

 

Harmony Network of 9 Schools and growing…

In addition to these four schools, the sponsoring entity established five new charter schools to begin operation in 2006-2007 school year.  These schools are Harmony School of Excellence-Houston, Harmony Elementary-Austin, Harmony Science Academy-San Antonio, Harmony Science Academy-Fort Worth, and Harmony Science Academy-El Paso.  Due to high performance and focus on college in science, math and computer technologies, four of these new campuses are designated as T-STEM (Texas-Science Engineering and Mathematics) Academies and have receive funds from private and public partnership (i.e., TEA, Michael and Susan Dell, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations) under the Texas High School Project.  The sponsoring entity was also granted four more charters to begin in operation in the 2007-2008 school year.  These Harmony Schools will be located in Lubbock, Waco, College Station, and Beaumont, Texas.

 

Science Fair Events and Science Olympiads

Harmony students have been participating in numerous academic competitions and have been receiving many awards, trophies, medals, certificates, and acknowledgement from various educational organizations including Texas Education Agency Gold Performance Awards in various subjects since 2000.  Harmony Schools are the most successful schools in the city and the state-wide science fair competitions and have won numerous first, second, and third place awards.  The achievements of Harmony Schools have been acknowledged by many community members, policy makers, and organizations such as; NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, Bechtel Corporation, Drexel University, Greater Houston Dental Society, Krishen Foundation for Arts and Sciences, M.I.T. Club of South Texas, Marine Technology Society, National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, Office of Naval Sciences, Society of Women Engineers, Texas Center for Superconductivity, Materials Research Science Center at The University of Houston, and the United States Army.  Mr. Bill White, Mayor of the City of Houston proclaimed Dec 4th, 2004 as Harmony Science Academy Day in Houston, Texas.

 

Title-I National Distinguished School Award

This past school year, Harmony Science Academy-Houston (HSA-Houston) received the Title-I National Distinguished School Award from the US Department of Education.  HSA-Houston was one of 2 schools in the state of Texas and one of 52 schools across the nation to be selected to receive this award.  This highly acclaimed award is given to schools for their outstanding results in one of two categories: 1) Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years or, 2) Closing the achievement gap among ethnic groups.  HSA-Houston was the only school which qualified to receive this award in both categories.