Harmony School of Political Science and Communication opened in 2011, and already the school has earned the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academies designation.

The school, located at 13415 N. RM 620 near US 183, was one of 16 new schools to receive the T-STEM designation Aug. 13 for the 2014–15 school year. The designation is for secondary schools that focus on improving instruction and academic performance in STEM subjects and increasing the number of students who pursue STEM careers.

The Texas Education Agency collaborates with Educate Texas, a public-private initiative focused on improving the public education system, to build the T-STEM list, which now includes 91 schools.

"We're about one-quarter of that [list], and we're proud of that," said Ozgur Ozer, Harmony's chief academic officer and associate superintendent.

Focusing on STEM has always been a goal of the Harmony charter system, which operates 25 schools that serve middle- and high-school students and has a total of 40 Texas campuses. Harmony Public Schools started in 2000 with a goal to prepare students for higher education in a safe and collaborative environment, Ozer said.

Students work on yearlong projects that often have a STEM-focus in non-STEM subjects. Throughout that process, students can present their work online and seek feedback from the community, Ozer said.

"The [STEM] focus helps with a can-do attitude in all students," he said. "When they exceed in STEM, they transfer that success to all areas."

Besides focusing on STEM in the classroom, the Harmony charter system is involved in the community through its STEM-focused festivals and partnerships with colleges.

Ozer said the political science and communication school allows students to integrate STEM with their affinity for the political system and public affairs.

"It's a great blend on that campus," he said.