Harmony Educational Services: A Comprehensive Overview

Harmony Educational Services offers a unique approach to education, bridging the gap between traditional public schooling and independent learning to provide families with flexible, tuition-free educational options. By partnering with public schools, Harmony allows students to remain enrolled in the public school system while benefiting from personalized learning programs. This overview explores the key aspects of Harmony Educational Services, including its philosophy, program structure, curriculum, support system, and community involvement.

Individualized Learning Approach

At the heart of Harmony's educational philosophy is the understanding that students flourish when education is tailored to their unique needs. Recognizing that some students are hands-on learners while others thrive in an online environment, and that preferences may even vary by subject, Harmony's home-based educational program is designed to be highly individualized.

Program Structure and Offerings

Program offerings vary by school and state. Harmony provides access to a rich, distance learning curriculum that supports a quality home education, helping to track student progress and support learning goals.

School-at-Home: This program closely resembles homeschooling, but children are enrolled in one of Harmony's partner public schools. Parents select from a variety of curricula that align with state standards and take on the primary role in their child’s education, with added structure, guidance, and support from Harmony and the public school.

Curriculum Selection: With Harmony, parents can select from a broad range of course offerings from various curriculum providers, enabling them to individualize their children's education. The curriculum can be delivered fully online or in a textbook format, allowing students to choose the combination that best suits their learning style. Students may select their core independent learning courses from online courses or Harmony's Flex textbook-based courses in any combination.

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Educational Allowance: Upon enrollment, an educational allowance is allocated for each student. This allowance is first applied to required courses, such as language arts, math, and science, and then to elective courses. The student funding is to be used for learning materials that will help the child succeed in the courses.

Resource Requests: Families can submit requests for educational resources twice a year, for each resource type, using Harmony's resource request system. They may mix and match, having Harmony purchase some of the supplies directly and choosing to be reimbursed for others.

Options Day: Some locations offer Options Day, an onsite elective program that provides a day filled with fun elective classes to complement a child's education. Options Day offers multiple classes in one day.

Curriculum Details by Grade Level

The specific courses required and offered vary by state and/or school. However, some general patterns exist:

Grades K-4: Students typically take three core courses: Language Arts, Math, and Science.
Grades K-5: Students typically take three core courses: Language Arts, Math, and Science.
Grades K-6: Students typically take four core courses: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Grades 5-12: Students typically take four core courses: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Grades 6-8: Students typically take four Flex Direct core courses: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Grades 7-8: Students typically take four core courses: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Grades 9-10: Students typically take a total of four core and two elective courses each semester (4 elective courses per year).
Grades 9-12: Students typically take a total of four core and two elective courses each semester.
Kindergarten: Students in Kindergarten take Flex Direct for core courses, which include Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Wasatch Connect elementary students: Are not required to take an elective course.

It's important to note that students are generally only able to select courses from their official grade level.

Support System and Mentorship

Harmony prioritizes the success of each child, providing each family with a dedicated personal mentor who offers guidance, encouragement, and assistance. These mentors are available to help with the application process, understanding available options, and choosing the right curriculum. Harmony also provides personalized support through certified teachers.

The team at Harmony Ed combines a wide background of knowledge and experience in homeschooling, education, and public schools to bridge the gap between traditional public schooling and independent learning. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or someone just starting the independent learning journey with one of our partner schools, having someone you can turn to when you need it comes with some peace of mind.

Partner Schools

Harmony partners with various public schools to provide its flexible educational options. A new partnership has been announced with Richard McKenna Charter School for high school students (9th-12th grades). Richard McKenna Charter does not participate with the funding offered by Harmony Educational Services. Wasatch Connect is a virtual classroom program provided by Wasatch Learning Academy, where certified teachers provide high-quality classroom instruction via live online classes, with support from the parent. Harmony/IHLA provides all students with a comprehensive curriculum approved by the Oneida School district that is aligned to Idaho State Standards.

Parent Involvement

As the parent, you’ll have an active and important role in your child’s education as you take on the role of the learning coach for your children.

Harmony thrives thanks to parent involvement. Harmony families help with maintaining the school environment, on field trips, with fundraisers, as parent coordinators, as substitutes and club leaders, and as drivers.

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Financial Aspects

Harmony partners with Public Schools to provide families with flexible, tuition-free educational options. This collaboration allows students to remain enrolled in the public school system while benefiting from Harmony’s personalized learning programs.

Families receive an educational allowance to cover approved expenses. Parents work with Harmony to choose from a variety of approved curriculum and provide reports on their child’s progress.

Community and Events

Harmony thrives with support from the community and is more than just a school. The school appreciates all that the community gives. Harmony hopes to have more content about events, discussions, and groups specifically for parents and adults involved in the Harmony community. Expect more to come about adult-exclusive events, book clubs, critical Friends Groups, carpools, and meal trains.

Harmony School History

Since its founding in 1974, Harmony School has been dedicated to the historic purpose of schooling: preparing young people to participate thoughtfully and actively in our democratic society. Founded in 1974 with four students, Harmony School has served over three thousand young people. Harmony School is designed for the development of the “whole person”. The Harmony program enables students to achieve academic excellence, to feel good about themselves, and to see learning as a lifelong activity. In 1985, the public school system demonstrated its support by selling to Harmony, for ten dollars, the 25,000 sq. ft. historic Elm Heights school building one block from Indiana University. The renovation of this historic building allowed Harmony to house its entire program under one roof for the first time in its history.

Testimonials and Reviews

Many families have expressed positive experiences with Harmony Educational Services. They appreciate the flexibility, supportive mentors, and access to resources that enable them to provide a well-rounded education for their children.

Megan Eddy: "Working with Harmony has been exactly the help and resources I needed. The mentors are incredible. The program runs smoothly. Reporting is quick and easy. I love how organized they are."
Britany Sproul: "We have been with Harmony for almost 2 years now. It has been a fantastic experience. Their policies are fair and flexible… communication has been great, and it has been such a positive experience."
Crystal Jordan: "We have absolutely loved Harmony! They have so many flexible programs and the tuition disbursement for curriculum and approved extra-curricular is unbeatable. The staff is also incredibly helpful, friendly, and responds swiftly."

Enrollment Information

After registering, you’ll need to enroll with one of our partner schools. Spots are limited and remain open until all spaces are filled or until October 1-whichever comes first. Be prepared to submit the student’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency (a recent utility bill is acceptable).

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