Horizons is a six-week summer academic enrichment program that seeks to address the achievement gap and summer learning loss for public school students from low income families that qualify under the free-reduced lunch guidelines. The program also offers additional Saturday enrichment opportunities throughout the school year. Horizons programs begin in kindergarten and grow through eighth grade. Many of the students accepted into the program are at or below grade level upon entering and research has shown an average increase of two months in academic skills, especially reading. Those students who are above grade level upon entering serve as role models and motivate their peers to achieve more. The program blends academics with arts, sports, and cultural enrichment as well as confidence-building activities, particularly swimming. The cumulative gain in skills is truly transformative, narrowing both the achievement and the life opportunity gaps that otherwise undermine success for low-income children.

	Horizons at St. Philip's

	Goals and Objectives
	Horizons at St. Philip’s Academy seeks to provide an academic, cultural, and recreational program designed to encourage a diverse group of students from low-income families to realize their full potential. Working in partnership with families, Horizons serves students of varying academic abilities throughout their childhood and adolescence. Horizons is committed to the development of the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, instill respect for oneself and others, and encourage a life-long interest in learning.   Goals of the Horizon program: Prevent decline in students’ school performance Improve students’ school attendance Improve students’ social and interpersonal skills Raise students’ educational expectations and aspirations Encourage parents to become involved in their child’s education and activities Build self-esteem, resourcefulness, and sound judgment

	Horizons National
	The Horizons model has a longstanding record of success — the original program began almost 50 years ago in New Canaan and still flourishes there. Fifteen years ago, Horizons National was established to replicate the Horizons model in other communities. Like the original model, programs are hosted by independent schools and serve only public-school students. Horizons is a true private-public sector partnership. All students attend the Horizons program free of charge and all funding is privately raised by the host school St. Philip’s Academy is the first urban school, already serving low-income students, to join Horizons as an affiliate.   Horizons National Website