High-Quality Online Education
As technology evolves, virtual learning has become an integrated part of the educational world, allowing students to learn from the comfort of their homes while receiving a structured education. Much like the classroom, online learning provides students with a sense of independence, structure and discipline that assists students with their daily classroom exercises, projects and classroom interaction. Our online learning program provides Harmony students’ families with an effective option to the traditional classroom while allowing families the flexibility of learning from home while having access to all of the resources in-person students receive.
More About Harmony
Harmony is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system with campuses in a neighborhood near you.
Harmony offers a 'small school' feel thanks to our reduced staff-to-student ratios and individualized learning plans.
Harmony is proud to say that 100% of our seniors graduate with an acceptance letter to college or plans to enter the U.S. military.
%
SENIORS'
GRADUATION RATE
Harmony high school seniors graduate at well above both the national graduation rate (84%) and the Texas graduation rate (93%).
FIRST IN FAMILY
TO ATTEND COLLEGE
Two-out-of-three Harmony graduates become the first person in their family to ever attend college, double the national average.
Harmony Public Schools offers online learning by permission of the Texas Education Agency, in accordance with TEA guidelines. Student may be required to maintain a passing grade in all subjects to continue attending online learning, per TEA requirements.
Virtual Learning Handbook
Admissions & Eligibility
Eligibility
The Texas Education Agency provides guidance on identifying students who should discontinue remote instruction.
In addition to using the Profile of a Successful Online Learner as a guide, students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to apply to the Harmony Public Schools Virtual Learning:
- Student must pass the most recent STAAR exams, or be NWEA grade-level proficient (if STAAR not taken);
- Student must maintain “C” grade of higher in “foundation curriculum” (ex. Math, Reading) courses taken in-person or remotely in the previous school year.
- Student must have no more than 10% unexcused absences during the previous school year.
In addition to these requirements, only applicants who meet the application deadline will be considered.
Admission
By enrolling at the Virtual Learning, students are committing to remain enrolled through the school year. Eligible students who were not admitted during the current school year will be required to submit a new application for the next school year if they wish to be considered for admission.
Currently enrolled students will not have to re-apply for the following year, as long as they continue to meet eligibility criteria.
Removal
Students may be required to return to in-person instruction at their zoned campus if they:
- Have a failing class average for two or more classes for any grading period.
- Have less than 90% or higher daily attendance rate from the current school year.
Students and parents will be notified in advance that they will be required to return to in-person instruction at their home campus prior to the end of the semester.
Appeal Process
Upon notification that a student will be removed from the Virtual Learning, parents have 10 calendar days to submit an appeal in writing to the principal.
The principal, or designee, will schedule an appeal hearing within 10 calendar days of receiving a written appeal.
If the committee allows the student to remain at the Virtual Learning, a plan will be developed by the committee to provide the student with success criteria for continued enrollment. If the student fails to follow the success plan, the student’s enrollment at the Virtual Learning will be revoked, and the student will be required to return to his/her zoned campus.
Student Responsibilities & Best Practices
When considering whether virtual learning is right for your family, it's important to know what skills are required for virtual learning, as well as what traits are most common among successful vertual learners.
To participate in virtual learning, student must be able to perform the following:
- Log on to the course regularly
- Ask questions if you don’t understand
- Stay on pace (be aware of due dates)
- Communicate regularly with your online teacher
- Take notes and prepare for tests
- Participate in discussion boards and other course activities
- Attend required instructional sessions
Additionally, students who most often are successful at online learning demonstrate the following traits:
- Good readers and writers. In online courses, reading may be the main source of information. Additionally, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical to feel comfortable in expressing ideas in writing.
- Have parents who are committed to supporting the student every day. At all grade levels, students need active involvement from a parent/guardian every day. The younger the student, the more time that a parent must devote each day to active support.
- Proficient in use of computers and Internet navigation. Because all interaction happens via computer, computer skills are necessary to participate.
- Self-motivated and learn well independently. With the freedom and flexibility of the online learning environment comes responsibility. The online process takes commitment, discipline, and an ability to work independently. Careful to allow ample time for the course. Online learning is not easier than the traditional educational process. In fact, many students will say it requires more time and commitment.
- Effective time-managers. Structuring time to effectively participate is up to the learner. Manage time well enough to complete assignments, study and communicate with your teacher while juggling any additional activities, work, or social obligations.
- Problem solvers who ask for help when needed. In the Virtual classroom, knowing how to solve problems and when to seek assistance are important skills. Assistance will be available, but it must be requested and an immediate response may not be available. As students get older, they must become self-advocates in their own learning.
Expectations for daily student engagement
Students are required to be engaged daily with instructional content which is digitally available in Schoology. Students who do not demonstrate engagement on a given day by 11:59 PM are marked absent. Engagement expectations are clearly defined, measurable, available to students and parents in Schoology LMS. Students are also encouraged to actively participate in Zoom live sessions on a daily basis and use teacher office hours for any additional support and answers to questions they may have.
Students are expected to engage daily in Schoology by completing instructional tasks, answering questions, replying to discussion boards, submitting daily assignments, returning daily exit tickets, completing projects, or submitting pictures of assignments and tasks. Students may also use school emails for submissions in certain cases. Sending the images of their completed work via SMS is acceptable in case of internet issues. HPS provides hotspots for families.
If the student is engaged through remote asynchronous learning by 11:59 PM of the same day, the student may be marked as present if the student meets the approved remote asynchronous engagement methods.
Instructional Delivery
Core Curriculum
While the overall virtual learning is designed for asynchronous learning, students will engage in both synchronous and asynchronous instruction where mainly math and reading will be offered via live sessions (And science and social studies in some grade levels). Students are encouraged to attend live classes via Zoom sessions on a daily basis. Students will interact with their teachers and peers to engage in the lessons. Teachers will facilitate the lessons in Schoology in live sessions. Students who are not attending the live sessions, will have the opportunity to complete lessons through Schoology LMS asynchronously. Self-paced lesson cycles will be available in the LMS. The lesson cycle may include; the checklists of the tasks, instructional videos (by both teachers and the curriculum providers), paper-based guided and independent practice (student consumable workbooks), discussion questions for engagement with peers, lesson recap videos, formative assessments, exit tickets, projects, and more. Students are expected to return daily assignments and exit tickets by 11:59 PM on the same day.
Additional Support Times
Additional support times and office hours are embedded into the schedule for the students who need additional help. Small group interventions and other services will be provided during those hours.
Blended Learning Time (BL)
Students are expected to work on blended learning software independently. They are expected to meet instructional software usage goals each week. Teachers/Interventionists will be providing small group support thru break-out sessions via Zoom
Student Academic Progress
Tracking student academic progress
Student progress will be tracked daily in the Schoology through daily assignments, activities, interaction with a teacher, exit tickets for each lesson, and other success indicators. The following assessments will be used to measure the progress of students;
- Daily exit tickets
- Weekly formative assessments
- 2-3 Content-Based Assessments (CBAs) in every quarter- Summative Assessment
- Quarterly district benchmarks- Summative Assessments
- NWEA MAP (Fall-Winter for all, Additional Spring MAP test for Tier-3 students)
Support systems to all students on progress
Progress reports will be provided in 3-week intervals. Report cards will be sent to parents in every quarter. Parents have full access to student work, interactions with teachers, assignment submissions, and feedback through the parent portal of Schoology. Parents will be able to check student grades in the Schoology and Skyward grade book.
Students will receive support via multiple mechanisms:
- Teacher Interaction: Students who join live sessions will receive real-time feedback through various ways such as Zoom Chat, discussion boards, non-verbal feedback features, etc. Students may also receive feedback from teachers on their returned assignments, and their posts to discussions. The feedback might be provided via e-mail or Schoology posting
- LMS: Schoology provides real-time feedback to the students. Teachers will also utilize Schoology to provide feedback on student submissions. Schoology gradebook will be utilized by our teachers so that students can check their progress on a daily basis.
- Instructional Software: The software provides real-time or nearly real-time instructional feedback on learning and assignments and supports the personalization of instruction to each individual student’s needs.
- Additional Support Times: teachers and interventionists will also schedule check-in times for the students to monitor progress and provide small group instruction.
Special Education/Section 504 & ESL
Special Education/Section 504
For students with disabilities who are admitted to the Harmony Virtual Learning, the District will continue to implement a student’s IEP/504 plan to the extent possible through remote delivery methods. Upon admission to the Harmony Virtual Learning, a student’s ARD/504 committee will meet to discuss which services will be provided remotely to meet the student’s needs.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
An ESL/pull-out program model is an English acquisition program that serves students identified as English learners through English instruction provided by an appropriately certified ESL teacher under the TEC, §29.061(c), through English language arts and reading. The goal of ESL pull-out is for English learners to attain full proficiency in English in order to participate equitably in school. This model targets English language development through academic content instruction that is linguistically and culturally responsive in English language arts and reading. Instruction is provided by the ESL teacher in a pull-out or inclusionary delivery model.
Student Technology
Students are expected to provide their own technology including a computer, webcam, Internet access, and as required, a headset with microphone. In some courses, students may also need to have the ability to scan "hand" completed worksheets, convert into a PDF file, and upload into Schoology. If you do not have a scanner that converts files into PDF format, it is then highly advisable that you download onto your mobile device (phone or tablet) an app such as "Genius Scan." Students may also be required to record assignments such as a speech in Professional Communications that may require a webcam or a mobile device that records video and audio.
Harmony Virtual School has a limited number of Chromebooks, iPads, and hotspots that can be checked out to students. Should students have difficulty meeting the technology requirements, please contact your student’s school.
Harmony Virtual School’s courses follow the same school year schedule for the fall and spring semester. Students begin and end their courses just like their regular face to face courses and the semester final is during the week of finals as defined by the District. Each course provides pacing that supports the student moving through the content and assessments during the summer semester. Students are expected to work weekly on their course. Harmony Virtual School courses are not self-paced. Students may work ahead in the module, but must take care not to fall behind.
Please visit your school’s website to view the calendar for information on course start and end dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Charter Public School?
Charter public schools are public schools of choice that provide parents an alternative to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure student success.
A charter public school is independently operated and can design elements of its own educational program, hire its own teachers and staff, and manage its own budget. The basic concept of charter schools is that the school enjoys enhanced autonomy, in return for accountability to its founders, parents, the public, and its grantors.
How is Harmony different than my assigned ISD campus?
Harmony Public Schools extends from Houston all the way to El Paso with 58 campuses. As a public school choice option, students are not assigned to charter school districts according to their address like they are in ISDs.
Do Harmony Public Schools charge tuition?
Tuition is not paid for attending a charter school. Harmony Public Schools are public schools, funded by the State of Texas. But, unlike school districts, charter schools like Harmony, do not levy property taxes.
Are Harmony Public Schools religious?
Harmony Public Schools is a secular and non-sectarian public school. Harmony Public Schools are not affiliated with any religious movement, organization, or belief system and are open to all students regardless of race, creed, nationality, or gender.
Who operates Harmony Public Schools?
Like all Texas Open-enrollment charter schools, Harmony is operated by a nonprofit educational organization, headquartered in Houston, Texas. Harmony currently operates 58 separate schools throughout Texas serving families in traditionally underserved communities, including every major city in the state.
The Harmony Public Schools Board of Directors are dedicated unpaid volunteers who are required to go through rigorous and continuous training in finances, operations and law and who meet regularly to adopt policies and guide the direction of the Harmony organization.
The Harmony Public Schools Board of Directors Nominating Committee is interested in individuals with expertise, experience and leadership abilities who will dedicate the time and interest necessary to contribute to the maintenance of Harmony’s standard of excellence in education.
Why should parents send their children to Harmony Public Schools?
Excellence is the Harmony Public Schools standard and this is well demonstrated by Harmony students who are consistently exceeding state averages on Texas standardized tests.
In the 2018 School Year all Harmony campuses across Texas met or exceeded state standards on the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam.
Harmony Public Schools has the proud tradition of competing and winning state, national, and international STEM competitions, state and national academic commendations, and competitive internships at high-ranking universities.
Why is it necessary to submit an application to enroll at Harmony?
In order for our school to know which students are interested in attending, it is necessary for parents to submit an enrollment application. This is only so we know you want to attend! There is not a qualification process, and ALL students are accepted when space is available.
Do students have to apply every year?
No. Once enrolled students can attend Harmony through graduation. Students attending an elementary campus are automatically enrolled as they transition to the secondary level.
Is there afterschool care available?
Yes! We partner to provide an After School Program to on campus after hours care for students.
What is STEM Education? Why do Harmony Public Schools focus on it so closely?
STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the fields of study that examine the natural world and how it operates. Harmony Public Schools focus on STEM because it is fundamental to every field of human endeavor, from academic and critical thinking skills to social skills to appreciation and understanding of Humanities, Social Sciences, problem solving and artistic creativity.
Through Harmony’s Project-Based Learning curriculum, students work on providing solutions to real-world problems. These individual and team laboratory projects and state-wide, national and international rocketry and robotics competitions bring Harmony students to a deeper and thrilling understanding of both traditional academic topics while teaching them skills beyond the classroom, such as public speaking, teamwork and time management.
Harmony graduates are designed to effectively navigate college-level coursework by mastering advanced concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Harmony graduates have earned seats in the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities, gaining coveted STEM jobs and bridging the gap between students in traditionally underserved communities and lucrative satisfying STEM careers.
What is Project Based Learning, and why do Harmony Public Schools use it?
Project-Based Learning is a learning method where students master academic concepts through designing, building and experimenting with their own and team projects and problems that search for reality-based, scientific and social solutions. Harmony students will complete multiple projects every year, giving them ownership in their successes as they learn and internalize lifelong skills in perseverance and critical thinking. It is these strategies that have made Harmony’s curriculum one of the best in the nation.
What other teaching methods do Harmony Public Schools use?
In addition to Project Based Learning Harmony uses a wide variety of methods and techniques such as Students on Stage, Custom Day Personalized Learning Environments and Character Education.
Students on Stage or SOS —
Nothing reinforces understanding of a topic more than explaining it to others. Through “Students on Stage,” Harmony students share their learned knowledge with peers, younger students, and adults.. Projects may be presented in the classroom at a local expo or in larger exhibits and competitions. The progressive stages of SOS allows Harmony students to perfect their explanations of their concepts and projects.
Custom Day Personalized Learning Environments —
The Harmony school day is uniquely structured to allow for maximum learning style flexibility. A two-hour block is reserved daily so that students can work independent of their classmates, based on their personal academic needs. This block of time can be used by students to receive additional tutoring, pursue advanced coursework, engage in extra college-readiness and preparation or to work on personal educational projects. But this customized environment is structured and monitored. Within these two hour learning sessions, teachers and their students develop and modify individualized learning plans as needed, allowing Harmony students to take ownership of their own education.
What is ”Character Education“ at Harmony Public Schools?
Harmony's approach to learning does not stop with academics. Rather, beginning in elementary grades, Harmony's goal is to grow its students, into principled and effective adult leaders possessing key characteristics such as honesty, courage, persistence, integrity, and kindness through Character Education. Harmony treats Character Education as it does its STEM courses, teaching these vital character traits the same way it teaches academic subjects.
Harmony realizes that our children are our future. And so, Harmony uses “Second Step”, a research-based socio-emotional curriculum teaching respect, teamwork and work ethic that provides age-appropriate lessons using music, stories, and art. Second Step works. It is now used in 30 percent of all U.S. elementary schools and is produced by the nonprofit Committee for Children headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Does Harmony Public Schools offer additional academic support, such as after-school and Saturday tutorials?
Yes. While each Harmony campus offers these additional educational services at various times, all Harmony campuses offer after-school and Saturday tutorials as needed where students can catch up or deepen their understanding and gain additional practice in challenging subjects.
Moreover, Harmony high school students receive college and career counseling and can participate in independent study and dual-enrollment college classes.
Do Harmony Public Schools Offer Gifted And Talented Programs?
Yes. Harmony Public Schools is committed to providing a rigorous, high-quality education to all its students. To meet the needs of those who show advancement in certain areas, Harmony provides Gifted and Talented Education, or GATE, beginning with students as young as kindergarten.
The GATE program provides accelerated learning through additional enrichment activities, pull-out sessions, and extended lab hours.
What courses are offered at Harmony Public Schools?
Harmony Public Schools offers a wide array of both core and elective academic coursework to provide every student with options that match their interests while satisfying state graduation requirements. Of course, Harmony's curriculum focuses on STEM and from kindergarten on provides a broad spectrum of classes that boost student interest in STEM fields. Many Harmony high schools employ an advanced curriculum program in a variety of fields such as engineering, and biomedical science known as Project Lead The Way.
Harmony students may also qualify for Advanced Placement courses as early as the 9th grade.
You can learn more about Harmony’s course offerings from Pre-K to 12th grade by clicking the “Academics” tab from this website's home page.
Does Harmony Public Schools provide services for students with disabilities?
Harmony Public Schools provides a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all students, regardless of their disability. Harmony Public Schools provides individualized instruction to students with disabilities both in the general education classroom and in specialized classrooms. For more information, see the Harmony Public Schools Special Programs website.
Does Harmony Public Schools enroll students with Limited English Proficiency?
Yes. English Language Learners (ELL) at Harmony Public Schools receive additional instruction to help them develop their English language skills to help them fully participate in academic and social settings. Through the use of communicative and integrative methods of second language teaching the Harmony ELL program focuses on mastery of English language skills in listening, comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking.
How do Harmony Public Schools handle bullying and student discipline?
Students will not learn and succeed unless they feel safe and are in a safe environment. Student safety and well-being is the cornerstone of harmony policy that is tough on bullying and other negative behaviors. Additionally, Harmony's focus on family dynamics helps to identify and address situations that may lead to student bullying and potential disciplinary issues. Harmony Public Schools all have an expulsion prerogative and will use it when student safety or well-being is threatened and when otherwise appropriate.
Is there a School Uniform policy?
Yes. Harmony wants its students concentrating on learning and not on the latest fashion fads. Parents will purchase uniform shirts prior to the start of each school year. Information about accommodations and additional uniform and dress code requirements are found in the Harmony Parent/Student Handbook on this website.