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, 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
- Community outreach programs
Middle School Staff
Vanessa Veras
Vice Principal of Secondary Education, Middle School English & History 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."
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."
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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