Harmony Charter Schools - info?

[TBF]

I have a friend who is putting her child in one next year. Does anyone know anything about these schools? I tend to be somewhat distrustful of charter schools and wondered if anyone has any first-hand knowledge or good resources about this particular one.

[madrchsod]

1. a interesting charter school company

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/education/07charter.html?pagewanted=all

[grok]

2. This school has plenty of reviews (link)

right here...

http://www.greatschools.org/texas/houston/11755-Harmony-School-Of-Excellence/#from..HeaderLink

according to the reviews there is good and bad.

Excellent academic advancement particularly in the sciences and technology. Even it's detractors admit it. Good discipline(that could be bad depending on your point of view) Good facilities with a host of extracurricular activities.

On the other hand, food is definitely not to the liking of the students(pack their lunch) and there are some communication issues with the staff and student/parents.

The kids don't always seem to like but they *DO* adapt reasonably well.

[TBF]

3. This isn't the particular school she has chosen (Harmony has several in the Houston area) -

but thank you.

[Starry Messenger]

4. It's a chain of Gulen Schools.

The shell company for Harmony is called "Cosmos" in TX, but it is part of the Gulen movement network which has schools in at least 20 states. The founder is from Turkey, and there have been some stories about shady business practices.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/largest-charter-network-in-us-schools-tied-to-turkey/2012/03/23/gIQAoaFzcS_blog.html

http://harmonyparenttruth.blogspot.com/2011/11/gulen-charter-schools-cosmos-foundation.html

http://www.voicesempower.com/texas%E2%80%99-gulen-cosmos-harmony-charter-schools-spent-almost-6-million-in-three-years-for-travel-expenses/

http://www.educationnews.org/commentaries/insights_on_education/152233.html

http://charterschoolscandals.blogspot.com/p/gulen-school-characteristics.html

[TBF]

6. Thanks! nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Never heard of them.