We believe in the promise of opportunity for all children. 

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Swim Equity at Horizons

My childhood summers could be encapsulated by the feeling of jumping in the water on a hot summer day, diving deep down in the water to explore the world from a new blue, green perspective, and the joy of doing a flip off the diving board.  I swam mostly at a place called Barton Springs (you might have been there, it’s a great big spring-fed pool in the heart of Austin where the whole world seemed to come together to cool off when I was a kid).  This was where my dad patiently taught me to swim and I lifeguarded there as I got older. Swimming brought me freedom and joy and play, but also swimming fostered in me a belief in community. Through that experience and the support that can come from feeling a part of a place, I built resilience and a belief in myself that remains with me today.

Many of our Horizons students do not have the opportunity to learn to swim. Learning to swim and experiencing all the joys and freedoms and safety associated with that privilege is not something that many students from communities historically impacted by inequity enjoy. There are many factors at play influencing swim access - the availability of public pools (which I enjoyed), racial and economic disparities, affordable swim lessons or parents that can teach you. In fact, if parents don’t know how to swim, there’s only a 13% chance that their children will learn how to swim, according to a study from the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis. As well, water safety and swimming instruction saves lives. According to the CDC, in 2024 drowning was the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. And in swimming pools, Black children ages 10-14 years drown at rates 7.6 times higher than White children.

But at Horizons at Carolina Day School, ALL our students learn to swim and ALL  participate in the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program. Some of our kindergartners have never even gotten their toes wet in a swimming pool, and slowly every Horizons student makes progress toward reaching the goal of being able to enjoy that freedom in the water - almost all being able to pass the YMCA’s swim test in the summer after 4th or 5th grade.  

The work of making swim lessons and water safety accessible to all in our community is a key element of our Horizons program, and I know I can’t wait every summer to jump in the water and experience the joy of swimming together with our Horizons community!

by Jenny Tracy, Horizons at CDS Executive Director  |    |  Comments 

New Year, New Hopes: Empowering Our Children for a Bright Future

At Horizons, we believe in the promise of opportunity for all children.  This organizational belief statement embodies a value for the inherent worth and dignity of all people and importantly, our young scholars.  As we turn to a new year, the season invites us to reflect, reset and renew.  For Horizons students navigating the challenges of educational inequity, this time of year offers a glimmer of hope and an occasion to dream of a bright future.

Our Super STEAM Saturday programming during the school year offers a unique opportunity for sustaining and building on the connections students make during the summer intensive.  Hope and resilience are fostered in safe spaces where students feel heard and supported.  These are the foundation of social emotional learning which is integral to the culture of academic growth that defines Horizons.

One of the things I love most about Horizons is the ritual of gathering in community at the beginning of the day.  Students and teachers come together for Spirit Check and to recite the pledge.  The Horizons pledge is a powerful statement of affirmation, and helps students to set an intention for the day.

Today I promise to be kind, strong, and do my best in learning.  I know that with my hands, my heart, and my mind, I can do ANYTHING!

Educational inequity remains a significant barrier for many children, including our Horizons students.  Yet the start of a new year is a moment for us as a community to renew our commitment to equitable learning.  By advocating for access to quality education, technology, and resources, we can all help bridge gaps and create pathways for success.  Together, let's make 2025 a year of hope and renewal, and ensure the promise of opportunity for all children.

by Bill Hansen, Horizons at CDS Development and Communications Manager  |    |  Comments