Five Harmony North Texas Schools Named National Schools of Character

Recognition places five campuses among just 72 schools nationwide honored for excellence in character education

By Brittany Lehning, Neighbor

Apr 17, 2026 10:14 am CDT | Updated Apr 17, 2026 10:17 am CDT

This post was contributed by a community member.

Students at Harmony Public Schools exemplify the character and academic excellence that led five North Texas and Waco campuses to be named National Schools of Character by Character.org. (Harmony Public Schools)

Five Harmony Public Schools campuses in North Texas have been recognized as National Schools of Character by a national advocate for character development in schools.

The campuses honored include:

Each year, Character.org certifies a select group of schools and districts that demonstrate a sustained commitment to character development, a focus the organization says contributes to improved academic performance, student behavior and overall school climate. This year, only 72 schools nationwide received the designation.

“At Harmony, our mission is to empower every student with both intellectual strength and emotional integrity,” said CEO Fatih Ay. “It’s truly inspiring to witness how our scholars are integrating academic knowledge with Character Education to enhance our schools and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”

“Schools of Character show us what is possible when a school community commits to intentionally building a culture where students learn not only academic skills, but also empathy, curiosity, civic responsibility, and perseverance,” said Nicole Diehl, Executive Director of Schools of Character.

Each recognized campus has implemented a comprehensive, multi-year approach to character education, helping students understand and consistently practice core values such as empathy, responsibility and perseverance. Schools undergo a rigorous evaluation process to earn the designation, demonstrating how character education is embedded throughout their culture and daily practices.

Harmony Public Schools is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system with more than 60 campuses serving PreK-Grade 12 students in 23 cities across the state, including Greater Houston, DFW, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, Bryan, Beaumont, and the Rio Grande Valley. Harmony’s curriculum places a heavy focus on STEM skills, Character Education, project-based learning, and college readiness.

Harmony Public Schools is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year for both students and team members.

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