VolunteerSquare, Inc

Horizons’ six-week intensive K through 8th grade Summer Program, set on the campus of New Canaan Country School, gives approximately 270 children a chance to have new experiences, meet new friends, take part in academic, art and music classes, eat nourishing breakfasts and lunches, swim, provide service to the community, and become part of a diverse family of caring teachers and staff. All of our students benefit from the low three 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. Horizons’ School Year Program gives students in grades K through 8 the opportunity to participate in enrichment lessons focusing on the arts, a winter Saturday program, the Horizons Music Academy (an instrumental music program), group tennis lessons, and the Horizons Friends Corps, a peer mentoring program matching NCCS 8th graders with Horizons 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. 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. In addition to offering this broad range of enrichment opportunities, Horizons provides one-on-one tutoring to all students who need it. Most tutors meet with students once a week in the schools they attend. The High School Program, for students in grades 9 through 12, offers academic coaching, individual tutoring, guidance with the college entry process, college tours, SAT preparation, and community service opportunities.