FAQs

For consideration in our programs, a student needs to have a primary diagnosis of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and/or dyscalculia.

Horizon Academy is not equipped to provide the support required for students who have a diagnosis that is behavioral or emotional in nature. We do serve students with school anxiety and find that a student’s anxiety is alleviated once their language-based learning disability begins remediation in our small class setting.

No. Students who attend Horizon Academy do not need consistent 1-on-1 support from a paraprofessional throughout their school day. Students will receive small group support throughout the day, but must be able to function independently and cooperatively within the classroom and small group setting.

During a screening, the student will meet with the Admissions representative to have a basic evaluation in the areas of reading, writing, math, and spelling. This portion of the screening visit typically takes 20 minutes of the 1-hour student screening visit and is designed to provide our Admissions Committee with a basic academic gauge of what the student has already learned and can independently generalize.

There is no preparation needed by the student for the screening, beyond being well-rested and ready to participate in the screening.

Once the Admissions Committee has met and screened your student, the next step is determined and communicated to the parents by the Admissions representative. Invitations to complete an application will be communicated by email if that is the appropriate next step. Once your application is submitted, the Admissions representative will inform you of the Admissions Committee’s input and decision.

The Admissions Committee may provide:

• Attendance at the summer program by your student prior to the school year program admission.
• A decision for unconditional admission of your student to the specified program.
• Admission of your student once additional diagnostic testing is completed.
• Recommendation that your student be scheduled for a 2 – 3 day shadow visit.

Once the parent tour and student screening are concluded, and all necessary diagnostic reports have been submitted, the Admissions Committee typically communicates input within 1-2 business days. If the committee feels that the school could build an appropriate program for the student, parents are then encouraged to complete an application for admission. The link to the application will be provided by the Admissions representative.

Yes.

No. Families who are considering participating in only our tutoring program are not required to participate in a virtual parent meeting and student screening. We are happy to arrange a tour of our school, if a family is interested. Please contact our Learning Center Coordinator to discuss your student’s needs, location preference (main campus or southern Johnson County) and tutor schedule availability. Students will be prequalified for tutoring prior to schedule consideration.

Yes. Horizon Academy offers need-based financial assistance for the School Year Program only. If a student has been accepted for admission to the School Year Program, families are then able to apply for a scholarship. Need-based scholarships are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. These funds are raised each year through our Development Office, and we encourage all families with financial need to seek assistance.

Parents are required each year to apply for a scholarship through the Financial Assistance link on our website. Through the link provided within this webpage, you will provide details about your family’s financial circumstances to ISM FAST, a third-party provider, as well as pay an application fee. A family’s tax return will also need to be submitted during this process. ISM will communicate to Horizon Academy a recommendation of what a family can afford. The Scholarship Committee will then determine how much of a scholarship the school is able to provide with the goal of meeting the family’s designated need.

In order to maintain a student’s scholarship and placement, a student must be responding appropriately to our programming and be self-managing as a positive member of our learning community.

At Horizon Academy, we recognize that the needs of each child are very different. As a transition school, many of our students attend for 2 – 5 years, with an average of 3 years for most students. 

As you reconsider enrollment for your child, the Admissions Committee would like you to proceed once again through the placement consideration process. The parents would need to revisit with the head of school and Admissions representative to discuss the student’s experiences since the last visit and share any additional diagnostic reports. Although the student may not need to be rescreened, they will need to visit with the principal, counselor, and head of school. Enrollment will be based on the availability of a spot within the program.

Once a student is ready to transition from Horizon Academy back to a traditional school environment, students consider public, independent, and parochial schools. The preferences and needs of each student are considered by the family. Our faculty and staff help support the process so a family can best identify the schools that will provide the best environment for each unique student.

Yes, we have many alumni and former students who choose to go on to 4-year universities/colleges, and community colleges after their secondary school experience. Some alumni and former students may instead choose a different path of attending a trade school or join the military post-graduation.

Within core classes, our students have a 5-to-1 student-teacher ratio. For most classes, the class size is up to 12 students with a highly qualified teacher. Small group instruction for Orton-Gillingham (O-G) is typically 2-4 students, and Multisensory Math is typically 5-8 students, put together homogeneously based on their skill level. For P.E., Specials, and content classes (social sciences and science), students can have up to 20 students with one lead teacher and a teaching assistant or multiple teachers/teaching assistants within the room who provide support, depending on the class.

At Horizon Academy, our goal is to continue to enhance a student’s strengths while remediating their area(s) of challenge. Students are engaged in small groups and classes that will foster their individual strengths, including science, social sciences, art, Makerspace, math, etc.

The amount of homework a student receives each night is based on their grade level. Students can be expected to have 40 minutes to one hour of homework, depending on their age. Homework typically includes reading and math, with the purpose of repeating skills that have already been introduced to your student. Homework should be done independently by the student.

Our goal is for students to learn accountability and the executive function skills needed to be successful. Should a student not understand the assigned homework, they should be encouraged to advocate for themself the following school day with the respective faculty member so they can receive support to complete the assignment.

Students in our School Year Program have the opportunity to participate in After-School Clubs and Extended Care. The selection of After-School Clubs changes each quarter, with hours from 3:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Examples of past clubs include activities in the topics of Art, Chess, Photography, Collaborative Storytelling, Science, Basketball, X-Country, and Track. We also provide a Homework Club for students to stay after school to complete their homework, with teaching assistants available for support. Students who stay for clubs are also able to take advantage of Extended Care from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the days they attend a club.

Although our student body changes each year, we have roughly 40-45% female students and 55-60% male students in our co-educational environment.

Yes. Our small, close-knit, supportive environment fosters friendships for every student.

Parents of Horizon Academy’s school year program enjoy being a part of our Horizon Academy Parents Association (HAPA). This parent-driven organization focuses on supporting the needs of the school. Although parents typically are not involved within the classroom on a day-to-day basis, parents assist through room parent designations, fundraising events for the benefit of the school, and community-building activities throughout the year.

Arrival Times:

Early Care: 7:30 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. $5 per day fee, billed at the end of the month, based on usage.

All Students Arrive:  7:50 a.m. Bell rings at 8:00, after which a student is considered tardy.

Your student’s teacher will reach out to you prior to the start of the school year so you know your arrival/departure location before the first day of school.

Wednesdays are Late Arrival days during the School Year Program. Student arrival will take place between 9:00 – 9:10 a.m. every Wednesday. We provide Early Care from 7:30 -7:50 a.m. ($5 billed at the end of the month, based on usage) and for students who arrive between 7:50 – 8:50 a.m. on Wednesdays, we have a designated Fun Zone in the gym with games and activities or a Quiet Zone for watching a movie, playing board games, etc. There is no charge for the 7:50 – 8:50 a.m. portion of Wednesday mornings.

Departure Times:

All students depart at 3:10 p.m.

After-School Clubs: 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Additional fees apply.

Extended Care: 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. for students after the conclusion of their After-School Club. Additional daily fee, billed at the end of the month, based on usage.

Yes, in the School Year Program, students are required to wear a t-shirt with the school logo and can choose between non-logo khaki or navy pants, shorts, skirts/skorts, approved specific joggers, or denim jeans. More details regarding the dress code can be provided by the Admissions representative.

In all summer programming, students do not need to wear uniforms. We ask that all students wear school-appropriate clothing. Students in the Summer Academic Program should wear sneakers every day since they will have P.E. every day.

No. Our students come from a 75-mile radius of the school. Many of our families drive their own student(s), participate in carpools, or employ a driving service. We are happy to help coordinate carpools by providing parent’s contact information for other families within their area.

Students provide their own lunches each day in the School Year and Summer Academic Programs. There are no microwaves or refrigeration available. During the School Year Program, we do offer a pre-ordered sack lunch option through St. Agnes Catholic School’s lunch service. More details are available at the start of the school year.