Harmony Public Schools 2023 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

A Message From the CEO

Dear Members of the Harmony Public Schools Community,

I am pleased to present our Harmony Public Schools Annual Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of our school district’s achievements, initiatives and progress over the past year.

Throughout the pages of this report, you will find a detailed account of the key milestones and accomplishments that have shaped our school district over the past year. We will delve into academic achievements, innovative programs, and steps taken to ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment for all our students. We will also highlight our financial stewardship and the responsible allocation of resources to support our educational mission.

This report not only stands as a testament to our collective dedication but also as a roadmap for the future. It mirrors our commitment to transparency and accountability, as well as our ongoing pursuit of excellence in education.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our educators, staff, parents and community partners for their unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we have achieved remarkable progress, and together, we will continue to shape the future of education in our community.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to another year of educational growth and accomplishment in Harmony Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Fatih Ay CEO | Harmony Public Schools

Academics

Building a Solid Foundation

Harmony Public Schools is proud to be a leader in STEM education. We are committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college, in the workforce, and in life. To that end, we want to share with you some of academic highlights from the past year.

Harmony students continue to achieve academic success at high levels that have been recognized both around the state and nationally.

U.S. News & World Report named 23 Harmony Public Schools campuses to its list of Best High Schools in America. Harmony’s rankings were the most of any public charter school system in Texas. In addition, HPS is also the third most-awarded school system of any kind in the Lone Star State behind only Houston ISD (194,000 students) and Dallas ISD (143,000 students).

STEM learning starts early at Harmony Public Schools. For example, we’re proud to say that we’re one of the few schools in America to introduce coding to all students as early as kindergarten. Students also receive their first introduction to engineering in these early grades, as well. A highlight of every Harmony campus is its maker space, where students can take the concepts they learn about engineering and computer science and apply them in a setting that utilizes their imaginations, teaches teamwork, and helps develop critical thinking skills.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff, 100 percent of the 2023 senior class were accepted to the colleges of their choice as they chart their course to bright futures.

31 Total School of Character Designations

90% Of Secondary Students Completed Advanced STEM Pathways

95% Of Campuses Received “A” or “B” Rating in TEA’s 2022 Accountability Rating System

5 Districts Received a “A” Rating, 2 Received a “B” Rating in TEA’s 2022 Accountability Rating System

College & Career

College Ready. Career Ready. Life Ready.

The numbers of Harmony students who are pursuing their dreams of higher education continues to grow. Last year, students submitted 12,125 applications to four-year universities. In addition, 166 Spring graduates were accepted to the Top 50 colleges in the nation.

$123,003,663

Total Scholarship Funds

2,500

# of unique student enrolled in Dual Credit

93%

of Students Completed FAFSA Applications

8,861

Students enrolled in CTE Courses (90% of High School Students)

4,433

# of students enrolled in AP courses

Did You Know?

With a college acceptance rate of 100 percent, Harmony Public Schools have earned the reputation of providing a distinct, high-quality education.

Roughly 85 percent of our Class of 2023 graduates enrolled in public college to start the Fall 2023 semester. This number represents the fourth year of consistent growth for Harmony’s “Summer Melt” Intervention program, which was founded in 2020 to ensure that Harmony’s college-accepted graduates finished their senior summer as college-enrolled students.

HPS has the highest percentage of “A” or “B” campuses by the Texas Education Agency among Texas charter school systems.

Fifteen Harmony seniors statewide were selected as 2023 Questbridge National Scholarship program matches.

14 Harmony Campuses Received AP Honor Roll Awards

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

Platinum with Access

Harmony School Of Innovation - Katy

Gold with Access

Harmony School of Discovery - Houston

Harmony School of Innovation - Sugar Land

Harmony Science Academy - El Paso

Silver with Access

Harmony School of Advancement - Houston

Harmony School of Innovation - Garland

Harmony Science Academy - Houston High

Bronze with Access

Harmony School of Endeavor - Austin

Harmony School of Excellence - Laredo

Harmony School of Ingenuity - Houston

Harmony School of Innovation - Dallas

Gold

Harmony School of Innovation - Fort Worth

Harmony Science Academy - Pflugerville

Silver

Harmony Science Academy - Euless

15 QuestBridge Matches

Founded in 1994, QuestBridge is a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading colleges and opportunities. By working with these students — beginning in high school through college to their first job —QuestBridge aims to increase the percentage of talented low-income students attending the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their careers and communities.

2

163 Acceptances to Top 50 Colleges

Alumni Success

Preparing the Whole Student for Their Whole Life

The network of Harmony alumni is 15,109 strong. They are putting their education to work in a variety of career fields including STEM-related careers with NASA and employment with engineering firms.

15,109 Harmony Alumni as of the Class of 2023

319

Alumni Currently Employed by Harmony

42

57% Residents Completed Grow Your Own Teacher Program

Harmony Alumni Who Graduated From University Earned STEM Degrees

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Meteorologist Daji Aswad

Before captivating her viewers with tales of weather and science as a broadcast meteorologist, Daji Aswad spent her 6-12th grade years at Harmony Public Schools, graduating from Harmony Science Academy - Houston.

After her graduation from Harmony, Daji pursued her college dreams at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio where she earned her degree with a major in broadcast meteorology and minor in communication.

The Harmony alumna began her meteorological career with AccuWeather, reporting on major weather episodes from hurricanes to snowstorms. She focused on telling the stories of people who endured these events with resilience and the ability to walk with hope and positivity in the face of tragedies.

Today, you can catch Daji on Houston’s KPRC Channel 2, doing what she does best – bringing engaging weather forecasts into Houston-area homes.

“I hope to inspire the next generation of girls who love science and a good story,” Daji said. “Follow your dreams, and never be afraid to pursue your passions. The world needs your stories.”

Student & Family Engagement

We’re In This Together

Harmony continues to offer a variety of programs and activities where students and families become actively involved. Student participation is encouraged in organizations such as Robotics, Drones, Rocketry, Art and many more. Athletic programs include basketball, volleyball, soccer and football at the middle school and high school levels.

Parents are vital to student success. We encourage families and participate in school events and activities during the year and also to volunteer at their child’s campus.

3,528

Students Participating in athletic programs

20,149 Student Home Visits

1,953

# of After School Programs Offered

4,345

Students Participated in Academic Competitions

15,081 Students Participating in After School Activities

Enrollment

Growing the System to Meet Growing Demand

More families are choosing Harmony Public Schools for their child’s education as our enrollment numbers are continuing to rise every year. The anticipated opening of the new Harmony Science Academy-Midland in August 2024 and expansions of three other campuses will add to the upward trend of growth and provide more opportunities for students.

2023 Applications

74,128 2022 Applications

64,761

41,892

2023 Enrollment 2022 Enrollment

40,517

Finance

Keeping The Money in the Classroom

The Harmony Board of Directors, Finance Team and committed employees are working together to ensure that proper funding is directed toward innovative instructional needs and resources in the classroom.

EXCELLENCE ACHIEVEMENT RATINGS

TASBO

Financial Excellence Award

TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations

OnCon Icon

Top 50 CFO & Finance Team Awards

TRANSPARENCY

Superior Accountability Rating by the TEA

BBB+

Rating from S&P Baa2

Rating from Moody’s

Excellence in Financial Accountability

Harmony has received Superior ratings from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and was the first public charter school to receive the prestigious Award of Excellence in Financial Management from the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO).

HPS also was awarded its second Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations by TASBO. Harmony remains the only charter school system to receive this honor since its TASBO’s inception in 2009.

In addition, Harmony was awarded seven “A” ratings by the TEA in its annual FIRST Financial Accountability Ratings during the most recent award cycle in 2023.

Harmony also was the first double-rated charter school system in the U.S. to be highly rated (“BBB”) by Moody’s and S&P Global with (“AAA”) long-term program rating that reflects Harmony’s qualification for the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) Bond Guarantee Program.

Members of the Harmony Finance Staff were also selected to share its best practices with other national charter school organizations at an event hosted by the Charter School Growth Fund.

Friends & Partners

Making an Impact Through Partnership

Thanks to the generosity and support from corporate and community supporters, Harmony students continue to thrive. Whether it’s serving as a volunteer in the schools or a donor providing funding for educational resources, these individuals and organizations making an important investment toward the futures of our students.

Total Partnerships

504 289 Service Leadership Society Members

Proud to Partner with:

Abell-Hanger Foundation

George W. Brackenridge Foundation

The Brown Foundation

Charter School Growth Fund

Creeed Foundation

Cullen Foundation

Elon Musk Foundation

The George Foundation

Houston Endowment

The KLE Foundation

Permian Strategic Partnership

Sid Richardson

College Partnerships

Eric and Keri Stumberg

Walton Family Foundation

Fort Worth Education Partners

Texas Workforce Commission

Kleinheinz Family Endowment for the Arts and Education

Human Capital

Our People Are The Key

Harmony Public Schools is dedicated to hiring high quality educators, administrators and staff who are committed to making a difference in the lives of the more than 40,000 students we serve throughout Texas.

Opportunities Are Endless

HPS strives to professional growth opportunities in a collaborative, caring and safe working environment. Some of our career development offerings include mentoring for new teachers and campus leaders and our Harmony Aspiring Leaders Academy for those looking to go into campus leadership.

Grow Your Own Teacher Program (GYOT)

Once they were students, now they have come home to serve as Harmony teachers. Harmony Public School’s Grow Your Own Teacher Program (GYOT) is an innovative fellowship developed to prepare HPS future educators and leaders. The program provides a competitive financial opportunity – up to $20,000 in total for six years – for current HPS students and HPS graduates to pursue a bachelor’s degree that leads to teacher certification. Approximately 140 former students are now teaching on HPS campuses full-time.

Competitive Salaries

Harmony offers competitive salaries to attract top teachers, administrators and support staff. Additionally, teachers in areas such as Mathematics, Science, Bilingual/ESL and Special Education receive stipends up to $3,000.

Teachers Rewarded Through TIA Allotment

Harmony teachers are being rewarded for their levels of excellence in the classroom through the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. Teachers can earn one of three levels of designation –Recognized, Exemplary, or Master. Teachers with a National Board certification may be designated as Recognized.

Every year, Harmony receives an allotment for each eligible designated teacher they employ and uses TIA funds to incentivize effective teachers to remain in the classroom and prioritize high-needs campuses.

Total Staff: 5,000+

Total TIA Allotment: $8.29M

TIA Designated Teachers:

318 “Recognized”

354 “Exemplary”

161 “Master” Teacher Retention Rate: 80%

Points of Pride

Character Counts

Our educators are not only shaping student’s minds, but they also are instilling the importance of being good citizens as well.

Campuses Receive National & State Honors

Two Harmony campuses were named National Schools of Character and five were recognized as State Schools of Character by the national non-profit organization Character.org in 2023.

Receiving national honors were El Paso’s Harmony School of Science and Harmony Science Academy for their programs that build charter strengths that will enable them to flourish in school, in the workplace, and throughout their lives.

State Schools of Character included Harmony School of Advancement (Houston), Harmony School of Excellence (Houston), Harmony School of Innovation (Garland), Harmony School of Innovation (Sugar Land) and Harmony Science Academy (Dallas).

289 Participants

In Service

Leadership Society

9 Campuses

Named National Schools of Character

13 Campuses

Named State Schools of Character

33 Awards

From Texas School Public Relations Association, including Crystal Commendation

19 Awards

From National School Public Relations Association, including Golden Achievement Award

Service Leadership Society

The Service Leadership Society is a club for high school students in grades 9-12 that gives a real-life, interactive approach to learning about government and the legislative process.

Through the program, students are able to meet with local government officials and ask questions about different topics and proposals to bring before lawmakers. Students also meet weekly to sharpen their skills, form arguments and practice public speaking skills.

Each year, the club’s efforts culminate in a trip to the State Capitol in Austin, where the students deliberate about their proposed legislation on the House floor.