The six-week, free, in-person sessions took place in June and July at Price Middle School.
Each day, students experience small-group reading and math instruction that is differentiated to their individual needs.
Additionally, scholars participate in organized play that develops and strengthens social skills, teaches cooperation, and boosts creativity. Scholars chose two daily enrichment and STEAM activities, including African drumming, dance, cheer, visual arts, science labs, drones, basketball, flag football, and more.
Older students in 4th through 8th grades studied units including culinary arts, cosmetology, photography, social media, and more.
Weekly field trips to Atlanta-area locations helped students to connect their learning with the real world and develop an understanding of their place in the Atlanta community. Students experienced field trips to local attractions such as Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Georgia Aquarium, Selfie Museum, Mercedes Benz stadium, The Black Hair Experience, iFly, and more.
Additionally, weekly swimming sessions were hosted at Pittman Park Pool, and “Fun Friday” activities included a Juneteenth cookout and a visit from a Mermaid to name a few.
Purpose Built Schools Atlanta has partnered with Horizons Atlanta since 2017.
For more than 50 years, Horizons Atlanta has led programming to address the opportunity gap that exists between underserved students and their more fortunate peers. Horizons Atlanta scholars, all of whom are free-or-reduced-lunch qualified, come from public schools and are in need of academic support. By design, roughly 2/3 of their scholars perform below grade level when they first enroll. Outcomes include measurable gains in reading, math, swim skills and water confidence, social skills, self-esteem, school-year attendance, and high-school graduation rates.
“The Horizon summer programs provide crucial wrap-around support for helping students stay engaged through academic and enrichment activities throughout the summer months,” said Tianna Knight, Special Education Coordinator, Purpose Built Schools. “We are grateful for the unique opportunities Horizons Atlanta provided to help 270 Purpose Built scholars cultivate their skills and agency in pursuit of their unlimited potential.”