Dr. Alexia Couch
Principal
Email: alexia_couch@hcpss.org
I am excited to begin my fourth year here at Harper's Choice Middle. This is my 28th year working with middle school students. I have taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Math and Engineering in Howard County, Montgomery County, and in Kentucky. My degrees are in Middle School Education, Technology in Education, Administration and Supervision, and Educational Leadership. I have high expectations for our students at Harper's Choice, and look forward to working with all students and families to make sure our children excel in their learning! When I am not at school, you can find me baking, reading, or cheering for the University of Kentucky football and basketball, where my son and daughter go to school. I look forward to continuing to build our community at Harper's Choice Middle School.
Mr. Nicholas Dogas
Assistant Principal
Email: nicholas_dogas@hcpss.org
My name is Nick Dogas, and I am honored to serve as Assistant Principal at Harper’s Choice Middle School. Prior to joining this vibrant and dynamic learning community, I taught choir and music at Mt. Hebron High School and Ellicott Mills Middle School. I also held teaching positions in Prince George’s County Public Schools and at Congressional School, an independent school in northern Virginia. Most recently, I served as an Assistant Principal in Carroll County Public Schools. I am deeply passionate about education and committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. I look forward to partnering with the incredible students, staff, and families of Harper’s Choice to make great things happen—every single day.
Tiffanie Nunley
Assistant Principal
Email: tiffanie_nunley@hcpss.org
School Overview
Harper's Choice Middle School is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse learning community. Our students bring with them a rich mixture of cultures and talents that contribute to a global school community.
Established in 1973, Harper's Choice Middle School has been serving the community for almost 50 years. Our staff, students, and community are proud of the rich history of HCMS and focused on continuing to prepare our students for participation in a diverse, challenging, and increasingly competitive global society.
Vision
All students and staff are engaged in a vibrant, inclusive community that celebrates diversity, values student, staff and parent voice, and meets the needs of the whole child.
Mission
Harper’s Choice Middle School is committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive community that meets the needs of the whole child by celebrating diversity, providing rigorous instruction to all, building positive relationships, fostering a nurturing school environment, and supporting the well-being of each child and staff member.
Core Values
“People Make the Difference”
- Commitment ~ do whatever it takes to support our community
- Relationships ~ positive relationships are key
- Collaboration ~ work with others to continually improve
- Communication ~ student, staff, and community voice is important
School Accomplishments
- Maryland Green School, Certified
- Maryland PBIS Gold Award 2018-19, Silver Award 2019-20
- Bright Minds Foundation Grant
- Recognized a Carson Scholar 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
- Professional Development School in partnership with Towson University to support education interns.
- State Qualifier in Lego Robotics Competition 2018-19
- First Place Core Values Lego Robotics Competition 2018-19
- Students selected for Howard County Honors Band, HC G/T Wind Ensemble, HC G/T Orchestra, HC 6th grade Honors Chorus and HC G/T Chorus 2019-2020, 2020-21, 2021-22
- Student selected for Maryland All State Band 2021-22
- Robotics Global Innovators Award 2018-19
- First Place Howard County MLK Essay Contest 2018-19
- First Place Howard County Young Authors Poetry Contest 2018-19
- First Place Maryland Young Authors Poetry Contest 2018-19
- Superior Rating Chorale Adjudication 2018-19
- Students published in Rainbow Vision Magazine 2019-20
- Students published literary and photographic pieces in HCPSS magazine Our Voice 2019-20
- Honorable Mention Howard County Young Authors Contest 2019-20
Cluster 4 Board of Education Representative
Howard County public schools are divided into school clusters, which are assigned to individual Board members to facilitate school visitations, attend special events, and provide a point of contact for each school community. View all BOE school cluster assignments.
Harper's Choice Middle School BOE Representative: Jennifer Swickard Mallo