Horizons is a small k-12 independent, democratic boarding and day school with approximately 110 students located in downtown Atlanta. Our goals are to expand students' confidence in their abilities, to help students make the transition from external motivation to self-motivation and to promote academic excellence.
Horizons offers a college preparatory curriculum, as well as classes in visual and performing arts. Located on four wooded acres in the heart of an urban environment, we take advantage of our intown location with frequent field trips and student internships. The school is in the pleasant residential district of Lake Claire, within walking distance to public transportation and the Little Five Points neighborhood. The boarding program is small and supports a family atmosphere.
Horizons' Mission
The mission of Horizons School is to assist students toward self-actualization by providing a stimulating environment academically, socially and artistically within a diverse supportive community.
Horizons' Philosophy
Horizons’ intent is to develop in students those values and skills which ensure maximum opportunities. Students learn real-life skills through active participation in the classroom, as well as in other aspects of the school. They learn responsibility, decision-making skills and problem-solving skills through active participation in the management of the school community. Such a leadership role empowers students, giving them the knowledge that they have control of personal decisions and interpersonal interactions.
Mutual education is the basis for teaching and learning in Horizons’ classrooms. This philosophy depends on an underlying respect for each person involved and recognizes the potential for every individual’s unique contribution to the process. Our diverse student population is given increased responsibility by participating and exploring in the educational process. Horizons recognizes peer interaction as an important factor in classroom teaching, in school governance, and in the development of social skills, peer leadership abilities and effective communication skills.
Goals
- To build a positive self-concept through expanding confidence in academic, social and physical abilities.
- To promote academic excellence.
- To encourage students with subject proficiency to accelerate into advanced classes and individual projects.
- To help students make the transition from external motivation to self-motivation.
- To provide an appropriate structure to meet each student's needs, at each phase of her or his growth, with the objective of self-discipline.
- To empower students to develop themselves holistically.
- To teach decision making and problem solving.
- To assist each student's acquisition of a sense of personal responsibility.
- To strengthen leadership potential and effectiveness.
- To provide experiences to improve interpersonal skills.
- To grow from a community of many nationalities, races, religions, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
- To support opportunities to develop personal creativity.
History
Horizons School is a subsidiary of the Educational Center for Applied Ekistics, Inc. After a preparatory year, Dr. Lorraine Wilson and Les Garber opened Horizons in August 1978, beginning with four students and six staff members in an office at West Peachtree and 13th streets. In the second year, the school moved to a small building at Piedmont and 10th Street. The fourth year began at the Ponceana, a fifteen-unit apartment building at 229 Ponce de Leon. During the 1985-86 school year, a group of students and staff built the main building on the present campus. In 2002, after more than two decades of service impacting the lives of so many students, Dr. Wilson passed away. Les Garber remains as the Head of School. In the spring of 2006, Horizons celebrated its 30th anniversary. The school now encompasses more than four acres, three school buildings, four houses, and a quarter interest in the Lake Claire Pool.
Democratic School
Since its inception in 1978, Horizons High School has been a democratic school. Each week, students and staff meet to plan and schedule, deal with rule infractions, recognize positive contributions (“kudos”) of the community members, and discuss issues. When decisions are made, students vote. Most school rules are common sense – the rationale for the resistance to codification. Working together ensures all members take responsibility for the smooth running of the school.
Accreditation/Membership
Horizons High School is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission (G.A.C.) and approved “with quality”, its top rating. We are members of the Southeastern Association of Boarding Schools (S.A.B.S.). Horizons subscribes to the values of N.A.F.S.A., an organization which suggests guidelines for international education. Horizons is also a member of Council on Standards for International Education Travel (CSIET), an organization which sets standards for international exchange.
Non-discriminatory Policy
Horizons School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender identity/expression, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, or disability and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.
The campus is handicap accessible.