Horizons began at New Canaan Country School in 1964 as a multi-faceted summer enrichment program for 20 children from low-income families in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Today the program serves over 300 students year round in grades K – 12, ages 6 – 18.

The year-round program includes both the summer program and the Winter Connection. The Winter Connection maintains contact with Horizons students over the winter months through Saturday school, enrichment lessons, tutoring, parenting programs, cultural events, parties and trips. Approximately75% of summer program students go on to participate in Winter Connection.

Horizons at New Canaan Country School established an Outreach Program in 1997. This program continues the relationship between Horizons and its students as they transition to high school and college. In 2000 the Outreach Program began pairing adult mentors with Horizons high school students in an effort to help these young people reach their goals. Currently there are more than 120 students in the Outreach Program.

In the fall of 2001, Horizons at the Country School also initiated a mentoring program, the Horizons Friends Corps. New Canaan Country School eighth graders are paired with energetic Horizons fourth graders, thereby further strengthening the ties between Country School and Horizons.

Programs
Our program is best best visualized as three circles

The Summer Program
The center circle is the core and represents the six-week intensive K through 8th grade Summer Program. Set on the campus of New Canaan Country School, the Summer Program gives approximately 260 children a chance to have new experiences, meet new friends, take part in academic, art and music classes, eat nourishing breakfasts and lunches, swim, visit museums, and become part of a diverse family of caring teachers and staff. Many Horizons high school students and graduates return as assistant teachers, acting as role models for their younger peers. All of our students benefit from the low four to one student/teacher ratio and from the support services of reading specialists, social workers, and a staff psychologist. The low student/teacher ratio coupled with the support services minimizes the summer decline in students’ performance and maximizes their performance and self-confidence during the school year.

The Continuing Connection
A product of the Summer Program, the second circle represents the Continuing Connection, which expands our program offerings to K through 8th grade students and their parents throughout the year. These programs give students an opportunity to attend late summer two-week sessions hosted by other non-profits and participate in one-on-one tutoring, enrichment lessons focusing on the arts, winter Saturday School, cultural events, and trips. In addition, Horizons has collaborated with New Canaan Mounted Troop and the Stamford Performing Arts Center to provide scholarships to individual students who demonstrate a special interest in horseback riding and dance.

Recognizing the critical role parents play in their children’s success, we offer parent/child art workshops and parenting workshops throughout the year. These programs are developed in conjunction with the Horizons Parent Council, a group of parents who volunteer to take on leadership roles.

Initiatives include individual academic coaching, tutoring in specific academic areas as needed, college tours, college and financial aid workshops, and SAT preparation. Students also participate in employment workshops, community service projects, and cultural trips.

New Canaan Country School
203-972-7005
P.O. Box 997
New Canaan, CT 06840

Executive Director: Leah Kimmet
lkimmet@countryschool.net
www.horizonskids.org