High School
Preparing students to lead and serve
High School
Preparing students for the demands of college and beyond
Decisions, decisions! The ninth-twelfth grade is a time for contemplating possibilities and weighing them against your own strengths. Will you pursue a college education? Will you serve our country in the military? Will you join the workforce or kingdom work?
Harmony Christian School will work alongside parents and teens in response to the future that God has planned for them. This is an exciting time, but it can also be a worrying
time of facing the unknown. We help our students to prayerfully, not fearfully, embrace their journey into adulthood.
But high school studies at HCS go far beyond just academic learning. We also offer fine arts, athletics, discipleship groups, and opportunities to serve and engage the communities locally and abroad.
HCS provides a healthy and comfortable environment for students to discover how God can grow them and use them to impact their world.
Curriculum information
Practical English
The Practical English class was developed to fulfill the needs of seniors who will be entering the workforce or entering the armed forces. It focuses on resumes, job searches, creating your own business, and citizenry. The class is open to all seniors and many have chosen to take both World Literature and Practical English.
English Department
Harmony Christian School’s English Department challenges students to improve their writing and critical thinking skills through classic literature, vocabulary development and current non-fiction.
English 9 – students in 9th grade can expect to focus on expanding vocabulary, writing organization and literary devices. Student favorites include: Romeo and Juliet, Unwind, and The Odyssey.
English 10 – Debates are the highlight of this year. Students write a research paper, turn their research into a speech, and debate a current political or social issue. They continue to improve their writing skills and read a number of plays and novels such as Julius Caesar and Of Mice and Men.
American Literature- 11th grade is the year students take the ELA Regents Exam. Students concentrate on using literary devices as writing strategies to develop themes and central ideas. They also focus on the importance of evidence.
World Literature/ English Literature/ Practical English – These three courses are offered senior year. World Literature and English Literature cover classic literature and literary themes from around the world. Students make comparisons and write papers based on their knowledge of historical events and cultural differences.
Psychology
Introduction to Psychology is offered as an elective survey course to 11th and 12th-grade students. The course begins with a focus on biopsychology, learning about the structures and functions that make behavior and mental processes possible. Units of study include Sensation and Perception, Consciousness, Learning and Memory, Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. Some special topics include managing stress, studying effectively, the science of addiction, and forensic psychology. The course is taught through a series of lectures, demonstrations, labs, and fieldwork. Students who have taken this course have performed exceptionally in college-level Psychology and Social Work courses.
Science, Biology and General Science
In science at Harmony Christian School, we have many fun and educational activities and experiments that allow the children to observe with their own eyes how the world works.
In Biology the students learn about microscopes and microorganisms by looking at pond water to see that there is life and living things all around us.
In General Science, the students even make their own experiments and use science to discover more and better understand the things that they want to know more about.
Math Department
The high school math curriculum includes:
Integrated Algebra is the first New York state high school course in Mathematics. It builds on concepts taught in Math 7 and Math 8, and focuses on the study and use of algebra. Additionally, topics in probability, statistics and geometry are also explored. This course provides tools and ways of thinking that are used in such fields as science, business, social sciences and technology. Algebra also provides the foundation to succeed in subsequent high school math courses.
Geometry is the second New York state high school course in Mathematics. The primary focus of the course is on geometry and proofs although the course also includes topics in algebra and graphing. This course is intended to improve mathematical reasoning, problem solving and communication.
Algebra 2 / Trigonometry is the third New York Regents course in Mathematics. The Algebra 2 portion of the course will explore advanced polynomials, absolute value functions, radicals, imaginary and complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations, data analysis, and sequences and series. Trigonometry topics include expanded functions with right triangles, identities, equations and circular functions.
The Pre-Calculus course builds on topics taught in the Algebra 2 / Trigonometry course with the goal of preparing students to take Calculus. It explores many topics in greater depth than in Algebra 2 but also covers additional topics such as matrices, conic sections, inductive logic and polar coordinates.
Calculus is typically the first college level math course for mathematics, science, engineering and technically oriented students. The goal of the course is to prepare students to take the AP Calculus test in May.
The high school curriculum includes extensive use of graphing calculators and is supplemented by computer activities and use of computer software.
Photography
Photography class is offered as a senior year elective at HCS. Photography students are in charge of taking photos for the school yearbook. HCS has four professional digital cameras that students share to learn basic photography skills including the exposure triangle, basic photo editing, composition, etc. Once a month we invite professional photographers to come in and present to the class and work one on one with our students to help them further their craft. Photography students have the opportunity to photograph major school events throughout the school year such as concerts, field trips, and ceremonies.
High School History
Our history department covers early civilizations, current global developments, American history, and American/Global government and economics. All but Global I are Regents courses. Students use textbooks, videos, and online resources to enhance their understanding of these subjects. A number of projects designed to encourage research skills, informative writing and synthesizing of materials will be assigned. Students will have midterms in all classes; in Regents classes the Regent will act as a final. It is our desire to foster a respect and understanding of all cultures and a Biblically based lens through which to see history and our role in the future of humankind.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Home Economics is an elective course for High School seniors. It is held twice a week with each session being 45 minutes. The basics of cooking are taught and hands-on cooking experiences are held once or twice a month. The students learn everything from measuring, food safety, meal planning and a whole lot more. Beginning this year, the students will have an opportunity to plan a school lunch meal that will be healthy, nutritious, and delicious. Students enjoy sampling their creations and sharing with teachers and staff throughout the school. They look forward to the feedback given to them.
The course is mainly designed with cooking in mind, but there will be a few basic lessons thrown in like how to sew a button on and some other basic household lessons. Students will also take part in a food-themed field trip.
Student Council
Consists of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 2 representatives from each high school class. Goals are to represent the high school student body in activities and service to the school. Some activities of the student council are planning, coordinating and running Spirit Week and the annual Pep Rally, helping out with the Harvest Festival and planning and running the end of the year high school trip. We meet approximately every other week during lunch. In support of our goals, we also run various fundraisers including bake sales, smoothie sales, ice cream float sales, and others. We also help fund the high school
National Honor Society
The Harmony Christian School Chapter of the National Honor Society provides students with an opportunity to develop as both servants and leaders in the community. In addition to planning and carrying out our annual Blood Drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center, the students assist with the monthly Harmony Baptist Church food pantry that serves the greater Middletown and Montgomery areas. Students serve the school community as leaders in the classroom, providing extra homework help to lower grades, and performing small service tasks as needed. As members of the National Honor Society, students are eligible to apply for the 600 scholarships offered through the NHS Scholarship Program and participate in webinars that walk them through the complicated college application process.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
What you can expect from our High School program:
- Teachers with many years of experience
- Challenging curriculum taught from a biblical perspective preparing students to thrive at any private or public high school
- Daily communication via, weekly newsletters, pictures of students sent home
- Clean and safe environment, doors secured, regularly scheduled drills
- Degreed and devoted Christian educators specializing in high school education
- College Guidance Department helping students with research, college applications, college essays, and transcripts.
- Core subjects in math, science, history, language arts, social studies, Bible, Spanish and literature at each grade level
- A range of electives including Practical English, World Lit, Psychology, Drama, Art, Photography, and more
- Small class sizes
- Competitive Christian league athletic programs in volleyball, boys & girls basketball, Co-ed Soccer and more
- Extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, Prom council, Student Council, and more
- Global Missions and Community outreach programs
- Senior class trip (which usually has a missions component) and high school retreat.
High School Staff
Penny Garr
HS Supervisor, High School English Teacher
PENNY GARR
High School Supervisor
High School English Teacher
Mrs. Garr is one of our solid rocks at HCS! She began teaching here 13 years ago, first as a middle school English teacher, and then moved to high school English, and High School Supervisor.
Read on to learn more about her!
Why do you like teaching?
"I always felt that God was leading me to be a teacher, even when I was doing other things. I love that it is new every day. I am never bored and I always get to see the literature that I teach through the eyes of others."
What led you to HCS?
"A friend who was working here, knew that I was looking to teach the upper grades and told me of an opening. I had a great interview and felt at home immediately."
What do you most enjoy about your time at HCS?
"The kids, of course, are always the highlight of my day. I also love that my coworkers upstairs know how to laugh with one another, especially when life gets particularly absurd."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"I always look forward to getting my kids excited about things they don’t expect, like Sophocles and Shakespeare. This year my seniors will be doing a comparison paper on 1984 and Brave New World. I’m hoping to create some ethical medical practitioners and politicians. It’s a lofty goal!"
What is your educational background?
"I got my BA from Montclair State (It was college then, it’s university now!) I got my MS in Education from Wagner College. Since then I have extended my certification to cover 9-12 grade, taken a number of continuing education courses as well as courses for guidance counseling."
Personal information you would like to share?
"I guess the biggest and best news is my elevation to grandma. We’re up to three granddaughters and one grandson and it is wonderful! I have so much to be grateful for. Nothing makes my day like hearing from my family and that includes catching up will all my “borrowed” kids who have graduated from HCS."
Miriam Leino
Middle & High School Spanish Teacher
Middle and High School Spanish
What led you to HCS?
"I had been teaching at Leptondale Christian Academy when the school closed its doors in 2016 and we were all forced to look for jobs elsewhere. I remained prayerful and hopeful in God to place me where He wanted me to be for the following 2 years. In January 2018, as I continued to trust Him to put me where He wanted to use me I received a wonderful phone call that HCS was looking for a Spanish teacher and I responded with total trust in Him that this is where He wanted me to be."
What have been your roles at HCS?
"My roles since I started on February 1st, 2018 have been and are, teaching Middle School and High School Spanish. I also serve doing Hall Duty and Breakfast Duty once a week and I do PM Bus Duty-Parent Pick-Up Room Daily."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"I enjoy laughing and being with the students in a safe, healthy, and loving teaching and learning environment. That is why I enjoy playing games to review what students have learned during the week as reinforcements of the lessons they've learned in Spanish class."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"Looking forward to expanding the Spanish Curriculum with more media reinforcements of the spanish language material covered in class."
What is your education background?
"I have an A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College and I have a B.A. Degree in Spanish with many courses taken in Secondary Education from SUNY New Paltz."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I Love Jesus and I am very Thankful to God in all I will share.
The greatest personal thing that ever happened to me was believing and confessing and receiving Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. Because of Jesus, I love the life He has given me to share with you!
I just celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary with my beloved husband Gerry Leino and have the most amazing and wonderful son, David Leino, who is 15 years old. David is our miracle child. After our 4th miscarriage, Doctor's told us we would never be able to have children. We prayed, believed God for a baby and God blessed my womb and gave us David Evans Leino. His name means Beloved Warrior. David is very bright and extremely artistic. He is trully a gift from God to us. We are so very grateful.
I enjoy quiet time with God and reading the Bible. I love spending time with my family going to the beach and bike riding. My husband and I are worship pastors at our home church that we've been attending now for the last 30 years. My son is on the worship team with us. We also belong to a traveling band in the Hudson Valley called "For God's Glory Christian Band". We have just recorded our 3rd CD as our Christmas Album. We also lead a homegroup Bible Study as a family every Friday night. Last but not least, we have "Toby". He is our precious baby boy Maltese and Lhasa Apso Mix.
Above all else, my family and I love Jesus. It's All About Jesus. Thank You Jesus."
Timothy Montgomery
High School Math Teacher
TIMOTHY MONTGOMERY
High School Math
High School Student Counsel Advisor
Why do you like teaching?
"I like working with students helping them learn and grow. It's an absolutely amazing feeling working with students that have struggled with Math for years and seeing them actually begin to make progress and realize that they can indeed learn and grow and be successful. Of course helping students that have a genuine talent for Math grow even stronger is also amazing."
What led you to HCS?
"God. He coordinated events so that when I graduated with a Master's Degree and was applying for a Math teacher positions at various schools, a position came available unexpectedly at Harmony."
What has been your roles at HCS over the year?
"Teaching high school Math including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Precalculus, AP Calculus and Consumer Math. I have also been the High School Student Council advisor for the past 8 years."
What have you enjoyed most about your time at HCS? "Working with and talking with my students."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"Teaching my second ever AP Calculus class. Also, my daughter's graduation from the University of Michigan next summer with a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry."
What is your education background?
"Dual Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Penn State University and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from Mount Saint Mary College."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I'm a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Warwick, NY where I help lead services, teach Sunday School, and sing in the choir. I enjoy collecting comic books and playing board games and video games. I have been happily married to my wife for 31 1/2 years and have a son who is a computer programmer and a daughter who is in graduate school."
Diana Torres
HS Science Teacher
I love teaching because I get to make a difference in someone’s life every day. If it wasn’t for the teachers I had in high school, I would not be where I am today. I also love teaching because I get to share my passion for science every day.
I believe faith led me to HCS. I had just graduated college a few months prior to when I was hired. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I wanted a teaching position before I continued my education. I applied to some positions in Newburgh as well as Cornwall, but things didn't work out. I was ready to give up since the school year was fast approaching until I stumbled across HCS online. I decided to apply, but figured I was too late. A few days later, I received a phone call from Mr. Barry. When I got a tour of the building and stepped foot into the science classroom, I realized why nothing else worked out before. God wanted me here.
I enjoy building relationships with my coworkers and my students. Everyone at HCS is like one big family. I felt very welcomed on my first day and I cannot wait to get to know everyone better.
Science is challenging and I understand that each student learns differently so I look forward to helping each student find their individual strengths. I think the best way to learn science is to do it hands-on so I also look forward to seeing my students work together in the lab.
I graduated from SUNY Orange in May of 2018 with an Associate of Arts in Chemistry. After that, I continued my education at SUNY New Paltz. I graduated in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I am planning to return back to New Paltz for a Master of Arts in Teaching: Chemistry Concentration after my first year of teaching.
Some of my favorite things to do outside of teaching include playing tennis, painting, watching movies, and listening to music. I would love to travel the world one day. I already crossed Italy off my list. My father’s parents came to the United States from Italy so it was a special trip because family is very important to me. I was blessed to grow up with my parents, my grandparents, and my 2 siblings all under one roof. I can’t forget to mention our dog, Oliver. He’s a beagle!
Looking for more information?
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According to Niche.com, Harmony Christian School is ranked #3 Best Private High Schools in Orange County, NY and #19 Best Christian High Schools in NY State.
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