Middle School
The most critical of years
Middle School
Preparing for future endeavors
At Harmony Christian School, our Christ-centered Middle School includes sixth through eighth grades. We strive to provide an environment to help students grow in wisdom and favor with God and people and to experience growth in their spiritual walk. We recognize that this period of developmental transition can be difficult for students which is why we put a great deal of effort into treating their social needs with the same level of importance as their academic goals.
Tweens are undergoing physical, emotional and intellectual changes at a pace that mimics that of an infant to toddler. In many cases the same the same inability to be still, to be attentive and to complete a task is evident. On the positive side, it is an opportunity for our children to learn self-control, to ask for and to give help, and to develop empathy. This is an exciting time of trying on new personas and exploring talents.
Our focus is a partnership between home, church and school and the importance of parental responsibility for a child’s discipline and education. We encourage our middle schoolers to be as enthusiastic about learning as they are about understanding the world around them. We want our students to prepare to live “in” the world, but not “of” the world. Students are often given the opportunity to apply problem-solving skills to non-academic situations, develop the ability to clearly articulate ideas and to critically examine different points of view. While most students continue on to Harmony Christian’s High School, students are well prepared to enter any high school, both academically and spiritually.
Harmony Christian School is a safe, loving place where students are encouraged to care for one another and to act in ways that are pleasing to God.
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the law.
Matthew 7:12
What you can expect from our Middle 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 Parent Connection (Slack App), weekly newsletters, pictures of students sent home
- Clean and safe environment, doors secured, regularly scheduled drills
- Degreed and devoted Christian educators specializing in middle school education
- Core subjects in math, science, history, language arts, social studies, Bible and literature at each grade level
- A range of electives including Art, Spanish, PE, and more
- Small class sizes
- Competitive athletic programs in volleyball, boys & girls basketball, Co-ed Soccer and more
- Extracurricular activities including Student Council, Board Games Club, Ski Club, Golf Club, Bowling Club and more
- Community outreach programs
Middle School Staff
Vanessa Veras
MS Supervisor, Middle School History & English Teacher
VANESSA VERAS
Middle School Supervisor
Middle School English Teacher
Middle School US History Teacher
Why do you like teaching?
"I love teaching! I love working with the middle schoolers and seeing how much they grow over the year. It is so rewarding to watch them understand a particular topic and get excited about learning more about it. My favorite unit we do is in 7th grade with our Mock Trial. The kids love it and its so awesome to see how much effort and enthusiasm they put into it. We laugh a lot in my classes and try to have fun tied into most lessons. Our review game sessions are always a lot of fun too. I get the opportunity to see how much they've learned and how eager they are to do well. Getting to know the kids better and understanding their social needs as well as academic is so important to me. Sometimes we forget that at that age our "small" problems seemed so BIG so I try to make sure they feel like their concerns matter to me and I'm here to help."
What led you to HCS?
"My three children attend (have attended; one graduated last year) HCS. I loved the school for them so when I left my former career behind and had no idea what God would have me do next, I was asked if I would sub here at the school. I loved subbing and did that for a year and half when I was asked to take on the role on Middle School English and History teacher. It was a role I had covered for a month while the previous teacher was out on leave and I absolutely loved it so I jumped on the chance to do it full time!"
What have been your roles at HCS?
"I started out as a substitute teacher and did that for a year and a half. Last year I started full time as the Middle School English and History teacher. This year I have taken on the additional role of Middle School Supervisor."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"My students of course! The staff is phenomenal as well but getting to work with my kids every day makes this whole experience not really feel like a "job"."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"I'm looking forward to navigating through all of the new responsibilities and opportunities of my supervisor role and seeing how I can work with our staff to improve the middle school and live out God's vision for this school."
What is your education background?
"I have my Bachelor's in Sociology with a minor in Psychology."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"My husband and I have three amazing kids and we spend a lot of time together as a family. If I have any spare time I like to paint, read, and watch historic documentary type shows because I'm a History nerd. I also love to visit historic sites which is part of the reason I love living in such a rich historical area like the Hudson Valley."
Christine Ogden
6th Grade History Teacher & Resource Room
CHRISTINE OGDEN
Resource 504 and EIP Teacher
6th Grade History Teacher
Why do you like teaching?
"I like to help students believe they can succeed. I had a few teachers who worked with me a lot in school, my 7th grade math and 10th grade geometry teachers especially. They taught me to have confidence, and to not give up when I struggled in school. I tell my students if I could do it, so can they."
What led you to HCS?
"My own children were attending HCS, so I used to substitute and volunteer in the cafeteria and library. Mr. Barry wanted to expand the Resource Room, so I came on board."
What have been your roles at HCS, including this year?
"Resource 504 & EIP teacher, 6th grade history (4 years) and 6th grade science (2 years)."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"I love teaching history-all grade levels and enjoy connecting the Bible to history and events in the past. Working one on one with my students in the resource room, and watching them become independent and succeed on their own brings me great joy-here at Harmony and after they graduate. I love working with the staff-they are all a blessing."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"This year I am again teaching 6th grade history, so I am looking forward to teaching about Egypt (my favorite) and China."
What is your education background?
"I have a Master's degree in Elementary Education Nursery School-6th grade and another Master's Degree in Reading K-12"
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I love to cook, hike and crochet. I love watching NCIS, Blue Bloods and cooking shows. My favorite vacation spot is the beach, especially the NJ shore."
Gary Falk
Phys. Ed & Sophomore Health Teacher
GARY FALK
3rd-12th grade Physical Education
6th grade Bible
Varsity Basketball Coach
In the spirit of Veterans Day, we would like to thank Mr. Falk for his service to our country. Read on to learn more about him!
Why do you like teaching?
"I like sharing. I rarely read a book, hear a sermon, or learn something new where I don't feel the need to discuss, pass-on, or share what I've learned. I value structure and fairplay, and the kids here are great."

What led you to HCS?
"In a nutshell, I had been in the Aviation field for 20 years in the military, airlines, airports, and in the cockpit. The salvation message was brought to me through the "Left Behind" books back in 1995, but in 2006 I read through the entire bible and felt led to leave that career path behind for my family and reasons too lengthy to mention here. Moved by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He has taken care of me and my family ever since."
What has been your roles at HCS over the years including this year?
"I started substitute teaching at HCS in 2006. I was hired as the 2nd grade Aide and Pre-K - 5th PE teacher the following year. In 2008 I became the PE teacher for 3rd - 12th grades. I started coaching the Varsity Boys basketball team in in 2009, and became the Athletic Director from 2010 to 2015. Since 2012 I have been teaching Health 10. In 2014 I taught Consumer Math for 3 years and have been teaching 6th grade Bible ever since. Besides varsity boys basketball I have coached JV girls basketball, soccer, and volleyball, and varsity girls basketball."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"Game time. The students don't always get to do the activities they want to do, but at the end of the period they have fun, stay active, and get to enjoy some friendly competition."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"Basketball season. Looking forward to coaching the girls team, watching my son's team play, and catching the devolopement of the JV teams."
What is your education background?
"B.S. in Professional Aeronautics / Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with Av. Business Mgmt. and Av. Safety Mgmt. Minors. (Wanted to be an NTSB accident investigator)"
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I have been married to my amazing wife, Krista, for 24 years and have 4 great kids. Loren 19, Gregory 18, and Ashley and Sarah are 16.
I am Sweedish and Scotch/Irish with a bit of chocolate in me. (gotta have it)
I enjoy hunting and fishing, and touring on my motorcycle with my wife.
I miss flying and hope to start back into it when the kids graduate.
I share my sons passion for video games maybe a little too much.
I enjoy building/construction.
I have been a certified weather observer and airport firefighter.
I have always wanted to hike the Appalachian trail in its entirety.
I love listening to "The Bridge" radio."
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."
Dr. Dennis Ashley
Middle & HS Bible Teacher
DENNIS ASHLEY
7th-12th grade Bible Teacher
Varsity Soccer Coach
Why do you like teaching?
"I find joy in communicating God's Word to others, hopefully in a way that will help them draw nearer to God, to love Him, to love His Word, and to learn to hear from Him."
What led you to HCS?
"An opportunity arose after Goshen Christian School closed in 2010. Mr. Barry reached out to me and it was a good fit. I left to go to be a Pastor in Maine, but tried to keep a line of communication going with HCS. When I decided to return to New York from Maine, I reached out to Mr. Barry to see if there might be an opportunity again, and returned this year."
What do you enjoy most about your time at HCS?
"I enjoy working in this Christian environment with the talented, professional colleagues in our faculty and staff. Most of all though, I enjoy building relationships with our students - each one a unique trophy of God's grace."
What are you looking forward to during this school year?
"The longer I teach, the better I manage the pace of the curriculum and the balance between teaching by lesson plan and making the most of the opportunities to speak God's Word into the lives of our students as the moments arise. Finishing on schedule will be very satisfying to my obsessive-compulsive tendencies."
What is your education background?
"I have a Bachelor of Science in Bible from Cairn University, a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family from Palmer Theological Seminary."
Tell us some personal information you would like to share.
"I have been married to my wonderful wife Kelly for over 35 years. I've been an ordained minister since 1984. I served 5 years in the U.S. Army, including 4 years in Berlin, Germany, during the years that the Berlin Wall came down. I have three adult sons and four young grandsons. Currently I'm enjoying opportunities to preach at local churches on Sundays. I enjoy kayaking and seeing interesting and beautiful places."
Looking for more information?
If you are in need of more information, please either click the button below and fill out the form on the contact page or contact the school office directly.
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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