Programs

Our summer consists of 6 weeks of learning and enrichment programs. The small classes, led by professional educators help students dive into a rich culturally inclusive and responsive curriculum emphasizing literacy and STEM. All students benefit from the incorporation of social-emotional and whole-child teaching practices.

Throughout the school year, Horizons programs maintain connection with students and families by offering Saturday programming, special events, and after-school programming.

Horizons serves students with a broad range of academic skills, providing opportunities for children to experience success in an encouraging, inspirational environment. Horizons sites across the country provide out-of-school academic and youth development opportunities that bring STEM, art, reading, field trips, swimming, and so much more to students in communities where learning losses are the greatest.

Summer (K-2)

Horizons students, K through 2nd grade, spend six weeks each summer on a designated campus of The Resource Council engaged in a transformative program that blends high-quality academics with cultural enrichment, wellness, recreational, and character development activities.

The program is full day and includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, field trips, swimming, organic gardening, community service projects, and cultural activities. Students are re-enrolled for consecutive summers starting after their Kindergarten year and continuing through 3rd grade.

A Model for Success

Horizons provides a safe, nurturing learning community where students are exposed to integrated theme-based academics that support their success in school. Our experiential model of teaching focuses primarily on reading and math, with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects infused into the curriculum for all grades. The program is designed to meet the developmental needs of students in each grade through experiences that enhance confidence, foster awareness of community responsibility, build problem-solving skills, and encourage a lifelong interest in learning.

Each classroom is staffed with two experienced, certified teachers and one classroom assistant. Teachers come from the Buffalo City School District and suburban school districts. A reading specialist aids the classroom teaching staff. A majority of teaching staff return each year. High school and adult volunteers provide additional support as classroom helpers, tutors, library assistants, and guest speakers. All of our students learn to swim, an important life skill that builds confidence and can save lives.

Project-Based Learning

Real-world projects drive learning outcomes in the classroom, the garden, during field trips to area cultural venues, and in fitness activities outdoors, in the gym, and in the pool. Our curriculum is the product of ongoing work of our program committee, a team of diverse educators who create best practices and content that best serves our community. This is differentiated by grade-level. These practices reflect the trends of our national partner, Horizons National and also The Resource Council itself, whose own ethos is built around the concept of individual student exploration.

A Safe and Enriching Learning Environment

Our students, together with teachers, staff, and volunteers, and supported by parents and partners from the community, collaborate daily. We gather as a full group to share meals and learn about each other’s accomplishments. We practice mindfulness daily as a means of allowing students to recognize their thoughts, feelings and emotions, and to center themselves appropriately before embarking on the school day. Fifteen students are in each class, each with two teachers and a classroom assistant. This provides an unparalleled level of individual support for each student who enters the Horizons program ensuring that the unique needs of every student can be met. The classroom environment is energetic, interactive, and charged with creativity.

A Community of Learners

The teachers, staff, volunteers, and others who make up the Horizons at The Resource Council of WNY, believe that learning is a lifelong and year-long process that should be available to all children equally. We joyfully take on the responsibility to nurture in children a love of learning, self-respect, and kind consideration for others. We encourage children to adopt the habits of a healthy lifestyle and to care for the environment. In doing so, we have confidence that each of our students will go on to become a positive influence on their families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Enrollment Forms

Registration is now open.