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Harmony Public Schools, a network of PK–12 college preparatory public charter schools in Texas, experienced unprecedented growth in 2021, exceeding a student enrollment of 36,000 on its 60 campuses. Because of this rapid increase in enrollment, and the multiple construction projects required for Harmony’s ongoing success, the district created a new executive position: executive director of expansion and construction. They tapped Dr. Edward Caglar to fill it.
“The district needed someone to oversee its ongoing construction projects, and manage the complexities associated with scaling the network’s projects while maintaining consistency and quality and adhering to the network’s mission,” Dr. Caglar says. “It’s a strategic leadership role to coordinate the various aspects of expansion, from budgeting and permitting to construction management and stakeholder communication.”
“My focus has been on enhancing educational opportunities through sustainable growth.”
Dr. Edward Caglar
Since taking on this leadership role, Dr. Caglar has overseen the opening of six to seven new schools each year. He is instrumental in strategic planning, site selection, project management, and ensuring each new campus meets Harmony’s high standards for academic and operational excellence. By leveraging partnerships with industry experts and integrating cutting edge technology, Dr. Caglar creates resilient education spaces that are future-proof.
“Our innovative practices include energy-efficient building systems, modular designs for rapid deployments, and community feedback to ensure the facilities meet local needs,” the executive director says.
Dr. Caglar is currently working on several projects that range from new school constructions to upgrading existing facilities. Using a multiphase approach, Dr. Caglar builds K–5 schools that grow with their students. “We add 6th through 12th grade students, so it’s like a 7-year phased out plan,” Dr. Caglar explains. “This allows us ongoing assessments and adaptation to meet both budgetary and community expectations.”
The network continues to expand, with plans to open seven new campuses in the 2025–26 school year. Harmony’s expansion is supported by a $25 million grant from the Charter School Growth Fund, aimed at increasing access to high-quality, STEM-focused education in underserved communities. This growth underscores Harmony’s commitment to providing rigorous, college-preparatory education to a diverse student population across Texas.
Founded in 2000 and offering a college preparatory environment focusing on STEM, Harmony builds schools in communities where they will have the biggest impact. “Most of our students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Most will be first-generation college students,” Dr. Caglar says.
Dr. Caglar signed on with Harmony in 2001, working first as a math teacher. He then became assistant principal of operations, discipline, and academics, followed by principal, overseeing every aspect of school management. This included daily operations and facilities working with vendors, architects, and engineers. Eventually he was promoted to the district level, where he attended project management conferences, headed up some construction projects, and earned a variety of certifications.
His time as a school administrator, and at the district level, gave him a deep understanding of the educational needs of Harmony’s communities, making his transition to expansion and construction a smooth one. “Dealing with all these projects helped me understand what needs to be done,” Dr. Caglar says.
During his 25-plus years as a teacher, administrator, and executive, Dr. Caglar has always aligned his work with Harmony’s mission. “My focus has been on enhancing educational opportunities through sustainable growth,” he says.
The executive director’s biggest challenge on his construction projects is rising construction costs. To offset these costs, Dr. Caglar implements integration and smart design adjustments that are both proactive and collaborative. “We reduced the building size by about 10 to 15 percent and continuously assess market trends and incorporate flexible design strategies that can adapt to changing circumstances,” he states.
Employing a collaborative leadership style, Dr. Caglar empowers his team through transparent communication and shared decision making, which fosters innovation and accountability. His streamlined project workflow ensures all voices are heard. Externally, he builds strong partnerships with contractors, city planners, and community members.
“Our partnership with Harmony Public Schools has been both inspiring and affirming. Under Dr. Caglar’s leadership, we’ve helped create innovative learning environments that reflect Harmony’s commitment to excellence and community,” says Anas Sada, managing partner at IDG Architects + Partners. “Through clear communication, a shared vision, and a collaborative spirit, we’re proud to support student success across Texas.”
For the next 5 to 10 years, Harmony will continue expanding its network of schools while maintaining its core values of educational excellence and community involvement, according to Dr. Caglar. The district’s goal is to enroll 75,000 students by constructing campuses in those underserviced communities with at-risk students, while also upgrading its existing facilities to support modern practices.
To pay for that expansion, Harmony was awarded a $25 million grant from charter school growth funds. Harmony’s long-term strategic vision includes leveraging emerging technologies to build smarter, more adaptable campuses, and to ensure that Harmony remains at the forefront of the innovative educational solutions.
Harmony schools not only educate the leaders of tomorrow; they are also community hubs, supporting local families and offering opportunities for students and community engagement. “While we continue to grow, maintaining the high academic standards and student support systems that define Harmony public schools will remain our top priority,” Dr. Caglar says. “We would like to aim to this through a strategic combination of innovation, collaboration, and community involvement.”
Dr. Caglar is deeply committed to ensuring that every new Harmony school upholds the district’s standards of academic and structural excellence. “This means going beyond just the physical building. We focus on creating environments conducive to learning, equipped with modern technologies, and designed for long-term sustainability,” he says. “Quality assurance is integral to our process from planning and design through construction and post occupancy evaluations.”
IDG Architects + Partners is a full-service architecture firm with over 20 years of experience designing K–12, municipal, higher education, and commercial projects. With offices in Houston, Dallas, and Peoria, IL, we bring community-centered, research-based design to life through engaging environments, vibrant architectural expression, and technical expertise. Our collaborative approach emphasizes quality, efficiency, and a seamless client experience from concept to completion. We are proud of our longstanding partnership with Harmony Public Schools and the impact our work continues to make in communities across the state of Texas. Discover how we “create toward a better tomorrow” at www.idgarch.com.
