Our Program
Year Round Programming
At Horizons at St. Richard's, our dedication to our students extends far beyond our renowned 6-week summer program. We understand that education is a year-round effort, which is why we go the extra mile to stay connected with our families and provide ongoing support.
Throughout the school year, we proudly host a series of monthly community-based events, bringing our students, families, and staff together in a spirit of unity and learning. These events range from educational workshops to cultural celebrations, fostering a strong sense of belonging and engagement within our Horizons community. Additionally, we offer a variety of enrichment activities that complement our students' academic growth, ensuring they have access to a well-rounded educational experience. Whether it's through art, music, sports, or STEM initiatives, our goal is to nurture their talents and passions, while fostering a love for lifelong learning.
This commitment to year-round engagement sets Horizons at St. Richard's apart, empowering our students and families with resources and opportunities for growth even beyond our summer program.
Academic Focus
There is something truly special about a group of students all working toward a common goal. Every afternoon at Horizons, you can find students reading a book together, working in small groups to solve a real-world math problem, building models with clay, creating a PowerPoint presentation with a partner, and much more.
We know that working at your own pace is an important part of the learning process. That's why Horizons maintains a student to staff ratio of 5:1, and hires licensed lead teachers and talented assistant teachers to differentiate instruction and individualize every student's learning experience over the summer.
Additionally, dedicated reading specialists at both St. Richard's Episcopal School and Butler University work one-on-one with students who need extra support in particular academic areas.
Enrichment
At Horizons, we believe that a well-rounded education goes beyond textbooks and lectures. That's why our students have the unique opportunity to participate in a wide range of enrichment activities with our esteemed partners.
From invigorating yoga sessions and mouth-watering cooking classes to energetic dance workshops and creative wood-shop projects, our students explore the world of possibilities through the arts. By engaging in hands-on activities and embracing the joy of play, our students develop essential life skills, unleash their creativity, and ignite their passion for learning.
Project Based Learning
Horizons believes in the power of learning by doing. While there is a time and place for worksheets and lectures, we believe that the most impactful learning experiences are those that inspire curiosity, hands-on engagement, and significant student voice and choice. At our program, every moment is a teachable moment and an opportunity for students to learn something new.
Each of our grade levels focuses on a theme over the summer. These themes act as a guide to connect classroom learning, field trips, enrichments, and project-based activities. For example, the third grade class theme is engineering and over the course of the summer third grade students design and build Rube Goldberg machines, visit an engineering firm, participate in a robotics competition, and use the engineering design process to develop solutions to real-world problems.
At the end of the summer, each of our grade levels will present their project to the entire Horizons program. In the past, grade levels have presented:
Architectural installations that were invented, designed and built by the students
"Magic Trash" art projects made from all repurposed materials
Eco-friendly park proposals, including physical models and budget plans
Swimming
“She has gained confidence in herself. With Horizons offering the swim program, my daughter has learned to swim and stop second guessing herself.”
— Horizons Parent
Thanks to a partnership with the Jewish Community Center, students at Horizons receive swim lessons from a licensed swim instructor three days per week over the summer. Learning to swim is an important skill for our students to know, because drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children, and African American children have a drowning rate three times higher than children of other ethnicities.
We have found that swimming builds not only physical confidence, but also academic and social/emotional confidence. Once a child realizes s/he can dive off the deep end, difficult challenges become a lot easier to overcome! The skills that a child learns while swimming - building trust, practicing teamwork, trying something new - easily translate to the classroom and beyond.
Social & Emotional Learning
At Horizons we want to give you resources for Social Emotional Learning. We know kids have BIG emotions that can be overwhelming at times and Horizons at SRES is here to offer support. Our team of counselors work with students through out the summer to better identify and manage their emotions.
Healthy Choices
During the summer, when the weather is warm and the days are sunny, everyone looks forward to spending more time outdoors. At Horizons, we prioritize the holistic well-being of our students by nurturing their minds and bodies. We ensure that each day includes ample opportunities for physical activity, along with nutritious meals and snacks for fueling their growth.