Statements
Mission
Horizons at USN is a transformative, educational summer program serving students from low-income families with a broad range of academic abilities. Horizons supports children from the South Nashville area who stay with us throughout their elementary, middle, and high school years, adding a grade level of 15 students each summer until the program serves 180 rising first through twelfth graders. A key to the success of this program is that students are given the opportunity to attend for twelve consecutive summers.
Background
Building community networks across our city, strengthening our partnership with public schools-these are priorities for USN. With our historic commitment to innovation and excellence, USN has for generations played a central role in our community, supplying unmatched creative energy and educational leadership.
University School of Nashville was invited by Horizons National to establish the first Horizons Program in Tennessee on our campus. Horizons is a transformative, educational summer enrichment program serving low-income public school students with a broad range of academic abilities.
What are the goals of the program?
1. To prevent or reduce summer learning loss
2. To serve students from low-income backgrounds
3. To foster a lifelong desire for learning
4. To provide cultural experiences and social growth
5. To ensure that children learn to swim, a life skill that saves lives and builds confidence
Impact
Horizon's mission is to close the achievement gap by providing under-served children access to high-quality academics in an engaging summer program. Summer learning loss leaves low-income students as much as three years behind their higher income peers by the time they reach fifth grade. In contrast, Horizons students gain an average of two to three months in reading and math skills during the six-week summer program, keeping them at grade level or above.
Needs
Operating support for (2) Literacy Specialist: $12,000
Programming support which includes instructional and office supplies, healthy breakfast and lunch, field trips, and technology: $63,000
CEO Statement
USN Horizons is a true public-private collaboration. Our relationship with public schools offers a partnership with purpose, creating a deep connection between school communities that typically operate independently. Currently, the Carter Lawrence principal sits on the Horizons Advisory Board and helps select students for the Horizons program. Public school teachers are on staff during the summer, working side by side USN teachers in the classroom. Because the program requires long-term commitments from families and partner schools, it reinforces achievement for low-income students, offering activities that build cultural bridges. The Horizons partnership nurtures personal experiences that go far beyond traditional community service.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Student Services |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
The Horizons program serves public school students in the Nashville area, primarily in the Edgehill community and Antioch area.
| TN - Davidson |
