A Toolkit for Parents Navigating Early Grade Literacy in Kansas City Schools Let’s face it, most parents are not literacy experts.  But not being an expert does little to take away the immense pressure parents feel as their child prepares for kindergarten and beyond. They know that reading is essential in day-to-day life and a basic survival skill their children need in the 21st century. It is not surprising that over the past five years, searches related to early literacy have grown between 50-120%, according to Google Trends. This pressure is only heightened when a child has a diagnosis of…

A Message from Our Head of School, Vicki Asher Annual Fiscal Year Report: 2024-2025 At Horizon Academy, our mission is clear: to empower students with language-based learning disabilities to become strategic learners and confident self-advocates. Each year, I am reminded that this mission is not merely a statement—it is lived daily in our classrooms, our community, and most importantly, in our students. This year marked our largest enrollment to date, serving 121 students—a milestone that reflects both the growing need for our mission and the trust families place in Horizon Academy. Beyond our campus, our online tutoring program now reaches…

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Bob Fritsch, the first teacher at Horizon Academy. Bob died peacefully earlier this week at the age of 84 at his home in Florida, in the loving arms of his wife, Sharyl Kennedy. Bob was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. His greatest joy was witnessing students who struggled grow, discover their strengths, and find their place in the world. He impacted the lives of countless students and teachers throughout his many years teaching and mentoring. During his recent health struggles, he continued to teach by…

Inspired by Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief, the focus of our annual fundraiser, A Novel Night on February 28, 2026, our theme celebrates the idea that our differences are often the source of our greatest strengths. Like Percy, who has dyslexia and ADHD, our students face real challenges, but they are also discovering their power to rise, lead, and make a difference. At Horizon Academy, our students are learning to understand their learning profiles, advocate for themselves, and develop strategies that empower them to succeed in school, relationships, and life. Every moment of progress, reading independently, solving a difficult…

Horizon Academy Presents Brilliantly Wired: A Signature Event for Dyslexia Awareness Month Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center 8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212 Roeland Park, KS — In celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month, Horizon Academy is proud to host the inaugural Brilliantly Wired, an exclusive morning of inspiration, conversation, and community dedicated to celebrating the brilliance of different minds. This unique breakfast event brings together high-impact leaders who think—and lead—differently. Together, we’ll explore how learning differences can shape lives, spark creativity, and fuel success Featured Speakers: Jo Marie Scaglia…

A little town decided to build a playground for children on some land. The problem, however, was that the land was on the edge of a cliff. Because of the danger, the local school board debated what to do…Should they put a fence around the playground? Or should they have an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff? The allegory above is from Sold A Story, Emily Hanford's award-winning podcast. Recently, APM released three new episodes. (And although I will summarize key points below, if you are not familiar with the Sold A Story podcast, I strongly encourage you to…

Thoughts on summer break from an occupational therapist. Summer is a great season to say yes to new interests, connect with the outdoors, and engage in enriching activities that naturally help children meet developmental milestones.  In this blog post, we will examine activities and free play ideas for summer to boost independence, cultivate creativity, and let kids be kids!  Many activities that happen organically outside (and off screens) help our children hone the skills that they need so they can grow and reach their potential. How to have a joyous summer and meet your child's developmental milestones at the same…

By Emily Hathhorn, Speech Language Pathologist at Horizon Academy One of Horizon Academy’s initiatives for the 2024-25 school year has been to teach high-utility vocabulary words directly. Using precise vocabulary words in written and spoken language enhances our ability to clearly communicate our thoughts; understanding increasingly complex words improves our reading and listening comprehension skills. Direct, interactive vocabulary instruction, therefore, should be integrated into the educational curriculum. Check out Bringing Words to Life (2013) by Isabel Beck, Margaret McKeown, and Linda Kucan to learn more about robust vocabulary instruction. Vocabulary words are commonly sorted into three categories. Tier I words…

By Dr. Tiffany Arrington, School Psychologist, Horizon Academy The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, it can be a time of heightened stress and anxiety. At Horizon Academy, we understand that our students are infinitely brave, yet frequently tender, and the holidays can be overwhelming due to unfamiliar routines, extended family dynamics, and social pressures. But with some thoughtful preparation, we can help reduce the stress these special students face and create an environment where they feel empowered, supported, and understood. 1. Prime Them for Social…

Everybody is giving thanks this time of year and it’s wonderful! Many of us spend time in contemplation of what makes us truly grateful and then share those feelings with the people in our lives. This year, let’s set an intention to continue the practice into the new year and beyond. Gratitude when practiced regularly, becomes a mindset that can significantly enhance your well-being. Whether you're reflecting on the small moments in your day or the larger milestones in your life, gratitude has a profound impact on both your mental and physical health. Research shows that cultivating a regular practice…