Starting a Horizons Program at Our School

• What is Horizons and how will it advance our mission?

• How will Horizons benefit our school?

• How does Horizons benefit the larger community?

• What is the cost in money and time?

• How will raising funds for Horizons affect our development efforts?

• What does the organizational structure look like?

• How does our school start a program?

Specially prepared for:

Heads of Independent Schools and their Boards of Trustees

What is Horizons?Horizons is a rapidly expanding network of public-private partnerships between independent and public schools. NAIS emphasizes the importance of public purpose for independent schools. Horizons programs contribute to both public and private schools, actively demonstrating “mission in action” for both.

At its core, Horizons is a six-week, full-day educationalenrichment summer session for low-income K-8 public school students with a broad range of academic abilities. Horizons blends high quality academics with arts, sports, cultural enrichment, and confidence-building activities, particularly swimming. Each program is unique, reflect-ing the culture, curriculum, and philosophy of the host school.

Our “slow-bake” approach to growth begins with only one or two grades in the first year, with additional grades added each year until the full K-8 program is in place.

How will it advance our mission?A Horizons program takes important aspects of yourschool’s mission, such as diversity, service learning andcommunity contribution, and puts them into action.

Through Horizons, your school can extend its resourcesand pedagogy to underserved students, making a differ-ence in the lives of children both inside and outsideyour school’s community.

“Horizons is an example of the kind of community connections that independent schools can forge with the right kind of inspiration and support.”

– Christopher Babbs, former Head of Colorado Academy

What is Horizons and how will it advance our mission? Through Horizons, public and private schools create enduring partnerships that are unique to their community.

How will Horizons benefit our school?First and foremost, Horizons puts your school’s mission into action, making a difference in the lives of children beyond your own school community.

Here are some comments from heads of schools currently hosting Horizons

“Our teachers are part of the Horizons faculty and this is some of the best professional development you can find – and they are getting paid for it. They get reinvigorated every summer.”

“Our students volunteer to help with the program.Students who have worked in the Horizons program gain an understanding of the community and theygrow into young people actualized to help.”

“Hosting Horizons adds a dynamic creativity to ourschool. Annually we see new projects and programsspin off from Horizons.”

“Horizons connects the school to our community. It is because of Horizons that I have a good working relationship with the superintendent of the city schools.”

“Horizons makes a huge difference by attracting familiesand faculty who are committed to a diverse schoolcommunity.”

“As our program has matured, it has started to ‘give back’ to our school financially—sharing in direct expenses such as van purchases and maintenance.”

“Our school has gained in vitality, energy and identity because of Horizons, and this is a genuine return on investment for the institution.”

– Tim Cottrell, Head of School, Harley School, Rochester, NY

How does Horizons benefit the larger community?Horizons is closing the achievement gap by providing underserved childrenaccess to high quality academics in engaging summer programs.

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A National ProblemEvery summer, low-income children fall backwards inreading and math, while middle class students jumpahead. This is a leading cause of an achievement gapbetween the two groups that is close to three years byfifth grade.

Students caught in the achievement gap are six timesmore likely to drop out of high school and have a 51%chance of being unemployed. On average, children whodrop out of high school cost the nation $260 billion peryear in increased crime costs, welfare costs, healthcarecosts, and decreased lifetime earnings.

A Local SolutionHorizons reverses the effects of the achievementgap for low-income children from your school’slarger community. Horizons students gain an average of three months in reading and math skills. Most children attend Horizons for five or more summers. This results in Horizons closing both achievement and opportunity gaps for thousands of low-income children.

“Horizons gives our students hope to believe in their dreams and the tools to realize them. Horizons touches more than the lives of the students, it touches their families and their com-munities. This is the opportunity that all of our students should have.”

– Theresa Peña, former President of the Denver

Public School Board of Education

What is the cost in Money and Time?The school’s financial resources are limited, as is the time of both Head and Board. Horizons programs are designed with this in mind.

What is the cost to the school in dollars?The school commits no cash funds to the Horizonsprogram; it provides only facilities and in-kind servicesfrom the business office and the maintenance team.Financial support is provided by a combination of seed funding from Horizons National and grants from corporations, foundations and individuals.

Horizons National offers both direct financial aid incrisis situations and helps programs reorganize in orderto meet fundraising goals. It is worth noting that everyHorizons program we have ever started is still running.

What is the cost to the Head and Board in time?After the program is launched, the cost to the headis minimal. We have found that there are always keymembers of the school’s Board of Trustees who gladlygive their time to work on the Horizons Board becausethis aspect of the school’s mission has special meaningfor them.

The program starts small and grows at the rate ofone or two grades per year. As the program grows, its administrative and financial needs are met by the fundraising efforts of the Horizons Executive Director and the Horizons Board, with help from Horizons National.

“Horizons adds to our community in many ways, but it was surprising to realize that it actually strengthened our school’s budget.”

– Nick Thacher, Head at Dedham Country Day School andformer Head of New Canaan County School

Factors that strengthen initial fundraising:• Horizons National provides substantial seed funding

• Many foundations and corporations that do not typically fund independent schools find Horizons appealing

• Horizons resonates strongly with individual donors both in the school and in the larger community

Factors that support ongoing fundraising: • Horizons National will help set up proven systems to ensure that the initial success continues to sustain the program’s growth

• Horizons host schools report that fundraising for the Horizons program has no negative impact on the school’s own fundraising. In fact, many report a small positive effect

• Many parents and alumni develop deeper and longer lasting connections with the host school through their involvement with Horizons

How will raising funds for Horizons affect our development efforts?The fundraising impact of a Horizons program is a very natural source ofconcern for the Board, the Head and the Director of Development of anyschool. However, it does not have to be.

“Horizons expands our school’s visibility in the giving community. It builds connections with foundations and corporations that typically do not support independent schools.”

– Miguel Brito, Head at St. Philip’s Academy

Governance: The Horizons program operates under the 501(C)(3) designation of the host school unless otherwise authorized by Horizons National.

Operation: The Horizons Executive Director is responsible forall aspects of the program (finding students, hiringteachers, etc.), and reports jointly to the Head ofSchool and the Horizons Board of Directors.

Horizons Board of Directors: The Horizons Board includes the Head of School (orhis/her designee) and ideally several members of thehost school’s Board and members of the broadercommunity as desired and appropriate. The HorizonsBoard is subordinate to the host school’s Boardof Trustees.

Fundraising: The primary function of the Horizons Board is to ensure the financing of the program, following highly effective procedures developed over the past fifteen years. An important part of the job of the ED is to help in this necessary fundraising.

Liability:Liability is covered by the school’s regular insurance.Occasionally a low-cost rider is required, for whichthe Horizons program pays.

What does the organizational structure look like?Horizons creates a lasting learning community at each campus. From the commitment of teachers and Heads of Schools, to the dedication of students and volunteers, the program becomes a bridge connecting public and private school educators, parents and students.

“Horizons had a huge impact on my life. It allowed me to dream, to think big, to aspire. It let me see beyond my everyday world.”

– Joe Chan, President of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Board Chair of Horizons at Brooklyn Friends School, and Horizons graduate.

“If you ever get the chance to be involved in this program, in any way, do it! Because it changes you and it changes all the people around you, by you being there.”

– Horizons graduate

Typical Start-Up Process

FallHead of School talks with ambassador from HorizonsNational. Head identifies interested trustees and staffto explore the idea.

WinterHorizons National visits campus to meet with the headand other interested staff or board members. Examplesof feasibility studies, strategic plans, budgets, marketingmaterials, and a start-up guidebook are provided.

Spring Head identifies a Horizons Committee to furtherinvestigate the idea with the help of Horizons National.Committee contacts other Horizons host schools, and creates an action plan.

Summer Committee members visit Horizons programs in action.

Fall Horizons National CEO and Board representativesanswer questions and make final presentation prior toboard decision. School’s Board of Trustees votes to startHorizons program. Affiliation agreement is reviewedand signed.

WinterHorizons Executive Director is hired and receives trainingfrom the National office. ED identifies local publicschools and selects one or two schools to partner withthe program. Horizons Board is formed.

Spring Students are selected and teachers hired. First yearfundraising is completed.

SummerProgram starts.

How does our school start a program?Horizons National will work side-by-side with your team for a successfultransition from initial concept to a program in action. Once the programis established, the Horizons National affiliate support team works withprograms throughout the year to ensure success at all levels.

One Park Street, Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 594-7040www.horizonsnational.org

“Horizons has helped me think about my life, who I am, who I want to be, what I want to do, and how I impact the world. Horizons is muchmore than a program–it’s a life-changing experience.”

– Horizons 8th Grader

www.horizonsnational.org