You are here : Home / Affiliates / Horizons at Savannah Country Day School
Horizons at Savannah Country Day School
Savannah, GA
Families living in Savannah, Georgia at, or near poverty level cannot always provide optimal learning environments for their children. Horizons at The Savannah Country Day School provides a structured, safe environment in which children from Windsor Forest Elementary School are able to stretch, and experience new challenges.
In the summer of 2006, 53 students participated in the program. Each year, a new class of 12 students will be added (with the exception of the summer of 2007 when 24 students will join Horizons) until the program reaches full capacity at 108 students. Two-thirds of the first, second, third, and fourth graders are all low-income students who have been identified as at-risk and are under-performing in their classes.
For six weeks during the summer, students in the Horizons program are in a structured classroom setting at The Savannah Country Day School. With certified teachers, counselors, student teachers, and volunteers, the program consistently maintains a 4:1 teacher student ratio. Reading, writing and the development of math skills are the main focus of the classroom instruction in the morning. In the afternoons, they participate in swimming, sports, music and art activities, as well as field trips that further enhance the curriculum.
Students Reactions to Horizons
“I really liked when Ms. Jenny worked with me. I can read better now and I can help my friends that have a hard time reading and with Math too. I like Horizons because everyone was nice to us and we learned all the time.”
M’Esha Price – 4th Grade
“I liked working with Ms. Lauren and Ms. Jenny. They taught me math and played with me at the swimming pool.”
Ayana Brown – 4th Grade
“I like to learn and help other students learn and Horizons helped me to do that. I like the swimming and the field trips also. I am coming back next year. My mom said so.”
Victoria Taylor – 3rd Grade
“When I learned how to swim, that was the best!”
Deontae Little – 2nd Grade
Progress Report
Evaluation of the Horizons program at The Savannah Country Day School involves a review of both processes and outcomes. Questionnaires are collected from parents, teachers, and students and analyzed. Data on academic, social skills, attitudes toward school and their peers, and classroom behavior are analyzed before, during, and after the program. Winter activities are planned with the children and parents which will serve to maintain the connection with Horizons, and help to ensure their continued participation.
Findings prove that children attending Horizons programs are more motivated to attend school, have significantly reduced absentee rates, and do not experience a decline in academic skills during the summer.
The Savannah Country Day School
Tel: 912.961.8680 Fax: 912.961.8719
824 Stillwood Drive
Savannah, GA 31419
Executive Director: Gail M. MacPherson
macpherson@savcds.org |
