My honest review of Harmony, last year my son attended the 6th grade at Harmony Science Academy. Both me and my wife had heard many great things about the school and had been trying to get our son in for about 2 years with no luck. Just when we had given up we received a call from Harmony Science Academy, we could not have been happier, after a short interview my son was accepted into the school. The school itself was very nice as it has just been built and our son was excited to attend, we all had high expectations for the coming school year. But our excitement soon turned into frustration, first principal Turk refused to speak to us. I went to the school on numerous occasions and tried to setup a conference with principal Turk and was always told he does not speak with parents. But how funny when one day I come to drop off my son's lunch and I find principal Turk speaking in the front lobby with a Turkish parent. I tried to setup an appointment to speak with principal Turk and was told he does not speak with parents, what? I explained he is talking with a parent right now, and still the front office refused to let me speak with him. I had concerns with my son as he had some trouble with math. We took him to the mandatory tutoring at the school which was a joke, they placed my son in a class with other students having Math issues and handed them a work sheet and offered no help to any students beyond this. Me and my wife helped my son the best we could, we finally sent our son to Sylvan Learning Center after he failed the Math portion of the TAKS test. The school notified us he would be able to retake the test in just 3 weeks, that was hardly enough time to prepare. Our son did retake the test and failed a second time he got 27 questions correct but needed 29 to pass. The school informed us, since he did not pass we had to withdraw him from the school? This was the first we ever heard of this, it was not explained to us in the beginning of the year. Curious about this my wife and I looked at the student handbook no where does it state if a child does not pass the TAKS that they have to be withdrawn from the school. We went to the school and asked to speak with the principal to clarify, the response we got was the principal does not talk to any parents. This is the same thing that has happened to all parents this year, several times I have requested to setup and appointment and speak with principal Turk and have always got the same response he does not speak with parents. Another parent was present at the school wanting to speak with the principal Turk regarding the same issue with her daughter, she advised she would wait all day if it takes to speak with the principal. The front office clerk said and I quote "it's a free country" they made a mother wait in the lobby with her three kids for four hours with the principal in plain view and all they did was look at the parent and laugh, WOW! After seeing this I made a call to the TEA and spoke with Kathryn Jones Charter School Division, she advised this is and illegal practice. We sent a formal complaint to both the TEA and the superintendent of harmony Science Academy Sonier Tarim on 08/04/09. The superintendent finally called us back after about 2 weeks, and advised that this was indeed an illegal practice and he would investigate further. Just last week the superintendent called us and advised that my son would be allowed back and that we should have not been forced to withdraw him from the school in the first place. He also stated that an appeal to the board members was placed and they will meet to see if my son would be allowed to pass to the the 7th grade or remain in the the 6th grade? Well the school finally called on 08/17/09 and informed us that my son would be passed to the 7th grade and that all the students that had been forced to withdraw from the school for not passing a portion of the TAKS test would all be called back and offered a spot at the school. I was also informed that Principal Truk has been reprimanded and will no longer serve as the principal for Harmony Science Academy. This is something that should never have happened in the first place and I would like all parents to know their rights when it comes to Charter Schools. Well after all this I would have to say my experience with Harmony Science Academy has been less than stellar. Would I recommend this school to my family and friends? My answer would be NO! The public school system teaches better but the environment at Harmony Science Academy is better. With a no tolerance for bullying, drugs or gangs it really is great. But be warned you will have to literally jump through hoops to speak to anyone of importance and the tutoring they offer and the TAKS preparation for your child are virtually no existent. Please visit http://www.charterbuzz.info for more information on your rights when it comes to charter schools. read more
