MIDLAND, Texas — More STEM education seats are coming to Midland as Harmony Public Schools officially broke ground Monday on the Harmony Science Academy in north Midland, east of Meadowside St.
In order to make this a reality, the property where the charter school is being built was donated by Pioneer Natural Resources. Many folks had a hand in bringing the opportunity to Midland, one that will have a key role in the region’s future.
Ground being broken in April of 2024.
“We are beyond excited," said Tracee Bentley, president and CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP).
Education being taught in August of 2024.
“The school system that we are implementing here is very, very experienced, proven, data-driven – it’s going to be a great school," said Ineke Kerkhofs, principal of Harmony Science Academy -- Midland Campus.
The school will provide much-needed additional educational opportunities for workforce development in the Permian Basin, with a high STEM focus.
“STEM is the future," Kerkhofs said. "Most majors that will lead to high-paying jobs are in the STEM field. So, STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – it is a wide range. There [are] a lot of different career paths in the STEM field, and here in the Permian Basin we need people that are focused on STEM.”
For that reason, the PSP was very invested.
“Our economy thrives on largely STEM-based occupations, and so giving kids access to, not just any STEM education, the highest STEM quality education possible as early as pre-k is going to hopefully give us a jumpstart on fulfilling our future workforce needs," Bentley said.
Harmony Public Schools also helps students toward a college education, with this campus already talking with institutions in the region.
"Energy is a major component here in Midland, and our school really ties into that," Kerkhofs said. "We are preparing our students to be ready to go and do those majors in college and be ready for the workforce later on.”
Building that workforce from within the region continues to be a focus in the Permian Basin.
“We know that growing our own talent is a high priority -- not only for the Permian Strategic Partnership – but for the entire area," Bentley said. "And so, giving early access, again, to one of the highest rated STEM curriculums is one of the best things that we could do.”
Harmony Public Schools said they already received over 550 applications, although they will only be able to accept 250 students for when the school opens in the fall, serving pre-k through 5th grade.
The campus will continue to expand in the years to come and will eventually be able to serve 1,500 students from pre-k through 12th grade.