Dr. Harris' Corner

Click on the item to open the Microsoft Word or .jpg file

Dr. Harris' Professional Biography (9/25/2007)
Letter to Parents (5/8/2008)
To Our Moms - The Gift that Keeps Giving (5/8/2008)
Fads and Fashion in the Education Field in Virginia (3/5/2008)
Being a Good Citizen(8/27/2007)
Welcome Back from Dr. Harris (8/23/2006)
Information regarding philosophy and practice
Dr. Harris receives recognition for Historical Commission service - March 2006
Commitment to Diversity
2004 Prince William County High School Baccalaureate Commencement Address - January 19, 2006
Top Five Myths About School Vouchers - December 9, 2005
July 2005 Egyptian American Cultural Assocation Newsletter - October 21, 2005
4th-7th Grade at the Fellowship House on October 23rd - October 12, 2005
Prince William Academy Activities - October 6, 2005
A Worthy Charter School - August 21, 2003

The History of Price William Academy:
When Dr. Samia Harris and her family moved to Dale City, Prince William County, Virginia in May of 1985, she looked for a school suitable for her bright studious son who was a fifth grader at the time. Mrs. Harris was dismayed at the academic standards of the public schools. Samia Harris went to libraries and did research on current schools in the county, but found no available options that met her son’s advanced academic needs neither in public nor in private schools in the area. Dr. Harris had to commute to take her son to elementary, middle and high schools in Alexandria, Virginia. This choice was tough on the family in general, and on her son in particular. The commute meant longer school days, a sleep deprived child, and having friends outside the county. It also caused isolation during weekends and the feeling of not belonging to the neighborhood like a normal child. Dr. Samia Harris revisited the issue every year, but the standard of education and the school environment did not persuade her to transfer her son to the Prince William County Schools. He continued in private schools until her son went to college.

Dr. Harris realized that she was not facing a unique situation, of wanting other education options for her child, so she started Early Years Academy in July of 1987. Early Years included pre-school through kindergarten, and before and after school care for the surrounding schools. Early Years Academy started at a small rented place on Minnieville Road in Dale City, Virginia. The total capacity was 45 children, and the school was up to capacity within one month. With long waiting lists and parents urging Samia Harris to expand, she found the current location on Spriggs Road. Once again, Dr. Harris was asked to expand to elementary and middle school. To meet current demands, Dr. Harris expanded to the new campus on Commission Court, to include elementary and middle school students at a campus that can accommodate 500 students with all the modern amenities and a completely wireless school.

Dr. Harris, on her way to leading the schools, was also leading the county on education issues. Dr. Harris was the first in the county to incorporate foreign languages, the phonics based teaching, and the combination between the hands-on approach and the traditional methodology in teaching the children. She has been the first to emphasize tying the curriculum to the environment. Both academies support the Arbor Day programs every year, with the academy students claiming 40% of the awards to include those at the national and state levels. Dr. Samia Harris led Virginia, and Prince William County in particular, through educating Virginians to education choices. Under the leadership of Dr. Harris, the Charter School was introduced as an option to Virginia. Dr. Harris is a firm believer in offering education options to parents, with equal opportunities that do not depend on parent’s financial abilities…but rather the tax funds should follow the students. To know more about Dr. Harris’s relentless efforts, please search Prince William Linguistics Academy. The results, even though disappointing, are still gratifying. Because of our efforts, laws are changing, people are more aware of choices, and even the county school system is being influenced by parental demands.

Dr. Harris vows to always lead the field of education for what is best for our children.