By Claudia Lorena Silva, El Paso Matters Del Valle High School sophomore Emiliano Ortega attended Harmony Public Schools, El Paso’s second-largest charter school network, since he began learning the foundations of reading, writing and math in first grade. Though his mom, Denise Grajeda, enjoyed Harmony’s smaller size and focus on academic achievement, 15-year-old Emiliano transferred to the Ysleta Independent School District this school year, hoping to take advantage of its more expansive athletic and academic programs.

“I think it was mainly just because of the more opportunities that Del Valle has and overall it’s a better student experience,” Emiliano said. He is not the only student who has left the charter school in search of a change in their education the last few years. Harmony’s

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