Summer Academy
The five-week summer program is a hallmark of Horizons’ programming. Beginning the summer after kindergarten, students join a small cohort of approximately 15 students with dedicated teachers and intensive learning. The program blends high-quality academics—with an emphasis on literacy and STEAM—with arts, fitness, cultural enrichment, field trips, and confidence-building challenges. Classes are designed not just to build a mastery of fundamental skills but to also help our students become creative thinkers and problem-solvers and to work effectively in teams. In addition, every Horizons student learns how to swim over the course of the five-week program.
Swim Instruction
Swimming is an integral part of the summer program and a unique aspect of the Horizons learning strategy. In learning to swim, students do more than master an important skill; they also learn strategies for tackling fears and overcoming challenges. The resulting self-confidence and resilience foster success in and outside of school.
During the summer, students swim four days each week at our Maret School location and three days each week at our Norwood School and St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School locations. Each student swims for about an hour, with 30 minutes of swim lessons and 30 minutes of free swimming. Our program progression is based on the American Red Cross lesson program. We also monitor each student using our own metrics to track success.
Swimming is a cornerstone of the Horizons program because it is far more than a life-saving skill. Learning to swim:
- Encourages attention to detail and commitment to a goal
- Teaches resilience and strategies to overcome fears and obstacles
- Inspires children to adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Introduces a competitive sport
- Teaches skills for summer employment
- Is FUN and promotes a love for and engagement in Horizons
We are thankful to the Kara Kennedy Fund and TYR for helping to make our swim program a success.
STEAM
The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) program at Horizons is designed to ignite a passion for learning through hands-on, interactive experiences that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Rooted in the principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, this program aims to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills among Horizons students.
Through the use of tangible materials like cardboard, paper, wooden blocks, planks, tape, play- doh, and everyday objects, Horizons’ STEAM curriculum emphasizes the importance of methodical problem solving, encourages innovation, and fosters an understanding of the interconnectedness of the STEAM disciplines. By integrating the current Horizons’ math and English curricula, students not only enhance their academic skills but also learn to communicate their ideas effectively, work collaboratively, and think logically to solve real-world problems.
The vision of the Horizons STEAM program is to prepare students for a future where they can adapt, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly changing world. It aims to build a solid foundation of knowledge while also instilling a lifelong love for learning and exploration. This aligns with the mission of Horizons to provide an inclusive, enriching educational experience that empowers students to reach their full potential, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and pursue their interests with confidence and competence.
In furthering our commitment to fostering engagement and ensuring the continuity of learning, we aim for students to take their project back home with them every three STEAM classes. By design this aims to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom, allowing students to share their discoveries and creations with their families, thereby creating a collaborative learning environment at home. By providing students with tangible outcomes of their classroom activities, we not only reinforce the concepts learned but also spark curiosity and encourage continuous exploration. This practice underlines our dedication to creating a seamless educational journey, motivating students to return at every opportunity for continued enrichment and personal growth within the Horizons STEAM program. Through these take-home projects, we reinforce our belief in the power of hands-on learning and its ability to inspire a deep, enduring interest in the STEAM fields.
Learning Outside the Classroom
We provide opportunities outside of the classroom for our students to explore their community and broaden their horizons. This is accomplished through field trips to Tregaron Conservancy and Smithsonian’s National Zoo, participating in outdoor adventures with Calleva, including ropes courses and white water rafting, and hearing from guest speakers that include Capital One, IBM, and HMSHost, to name a few.