About Horizons Atlanta at HIES

Horizons Atlanta at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School works in partnership with Fulton County Schools and other local partners to influence the trajectory of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch programs. By providing a high-quality enrichment program, Horizons helps to curb the summer slide and close the opportunity gap for K-8th students in Sandy Springs.

Horizons at HIES Alumni Testimonies

“Horizons was my safe space growing up. I could confide in my teachers and volunteers and I felt their love and support throughout the school year. Horizons helped me understand the things that matter so that I could have long-term success."

- Suleima Millan-Salinas, Berry University Graduate 2019 (pictured on the left)

“Horizons is a memorable part of my childhood and a huge part of my family’s story. All three of my siblings went through the program, and our summers were filled with creativity, learning and empowerment. Horizons expanded my educational journey and taught me how to love learning. Today, all of my siblings are college graduates — with two of us earning our master’s degrees — and proud, engaged citizens. Our family has a deep love for this program and truly appreciates the years we spent there.”

- Dominique Rodriguez-Palmore, Valdosta State University Graduate 2019, Emory University Juris Master, Business Law and Stakeholder Regulation 2020 (pictured on the right)

Why Horizons?

The private-public partnership believes that every child in Atlanta, regardless of background, should have the same chance at making a positive impact on his or her community.  Horizons provides this opportunity by eliminating the critical barriers to success that many of our children face, thus putting them on a path to:

• Read proficiently by the end of third grade
• Graduate from high school
• Receive higher education and
• Become globally competitive professionals

To reach this goal, the program tackles the “summer slide,” which, according to a recent study by the RAND Corporation, can result in the average elementary-aged student experiencing less than a month’s worth of learning loss, while the decline is far greater for lower-income students (view a synopsis). The study concluded that summer learning loss is cumulative and that, by the time lower-income students reach third grade, they are often two school years behind in critical reading skills because of missed opportunities during the summer months.

On average, Horizons students improve and grow in their reading and math skills as a result of the program. Teachers and administrators report that when Horizons students return to school each fall, they are more motivated academically, more eager to learn, and more likely to become school leaders.

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact our Horizons site director.

Click Here to learn more about Horizons National.