This year we are excited to celebrate 11 graduating high school students who have been with our program since elementary school, meaning that they have spent every summer through middle school and high school with Horizons! This graduating class is especially notable because they started their freshman year of high school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, no easy feat for anyone, and especially challenging for students starting high school. These 11 high school seniors were the first ones to be part of our 1:1 mentorship program and have shown steadfast commitment and perseverance to their individual growth, working hard to get to this point. Of the 11 students, nine are pursuing post-secondary education, one is doing an apprenticeship, and the other is working with her mentor to figure out her next steps after high school.
When looking at high school graduation rates across the State of Colorado, an interesting article by Melanie Asmar and Yesenia Robles for Chalkbeat puts our students’ achievement in perspective:
“Black, Hispanic, and white students all posted higher graduation rates in 2023 than in 2022. But wide gaps by race remain: In 2023, about 90% of white students in Colorado, 80% of Black students, and 77% of Hispanic students graduated in four years.”
Even though we have a small group of students whom we work with, the impact is significant: 100% high school graduation and 82% pursuing post-secondary education and credential programs. I credit a big part of our success to the program that we have developed during the past four years that includes one-on-one mentorship, a one-week Game Plan summer program that takes place before the launch of the Pre-K—Grade 8 program, and our extensive career readiness program that opens the door for our high school students to gain valuable experience working in our summer program as volunteers and interns.
To get direct insight into the impact of our Horizons high school program, the reflections of our students, families and staff say it best:
“To me, college isn’t only to better myself, but to raise a bar. The bar that has kept kids in my own community from reaching their full potential. For many in my community, college is often perceived as an unattainable luxury—a distant dream for the privileged few. I believe that education is the great equalizer, capable of breaking down barriers and opening doors to new possibilities. By pursuing a college education, I aim to challenge the notion that success is out of reach for individuals like myself and inspire others in my community to follow suit. While I understand all the hard work that I put into this, I know that I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my community, my peers, and Horizons.” Abisai Olivas Holguin, Class of 2024 Colorado Academy and Horizons
“If it wasn’t for Horizons helping our kids step out of their comfort zone straight from the beginning, I doubt my son would be who he is today!” Kat Onken, Horizons parent of Matthew Garcia, rising 12th grade, and Board member
“I work with Horizons and continue to come back each year because of the growth and development that we get the opportunity to witness in all of our students each year. The traditions we build, seeing the smiles on all the kids’ faces, and watching the long-term impacts on our community are all reasons why I love working with Horizons. From our five-year-olds to our high schoolers, Horizons is able to create positive change, and I’m so lucky to be a small part of their journey!“ Piper Bittman, High School program coordinator and mentor
In addition to celebrating our class of 2024, we are also thrilled to welcome four new students to the Colorado Academy family: Lexie Rocha Tarango and Alexia Saenzpardo-Nuñez, incoming Middle School students, and Christopher Alarcon and Paola Hernandez, incoming Upper School Ninth Graders. Taking into account three current Colorado Academy students, this brings the total number of Horizons students matriculating at Colorado Academy to seven! For our Horizons students to have this opportunity to receive a world-class education speaks to the commitment and bonds between Horizons and Colorado Academy. I am certain that this opportunity for our students will change the trajectory of their lives in a positive way and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in their careers of choice.
On a final note, I would like to thank each and every person with whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of connecting throughout my time at Horizons. Working alongside all of the students, families, staff, supporters, and volunteers who make up this special Horizons Colorado at Colorado Academy community has been an honor for me, providing a sense of pride and joy that is hard to put into words. My hope is that the strides that we have made up to this point keep making an impact, and that the leadership that follows keeps pushing to make our programs more effective and meaningful. Our team is excited for the summer program to begin! Our goal is to create a summer full of beautiful memories infused with joy, a love of learning, a sense of belonging, and infinite possibilities.