Horizons at Carolina Day School Joins 25th Annual Lights on Afterschool Celebration
Posted on by Bill Hansen, Horizons at CDS Development and Communications Manager
On October 24th, Horizons at Carolina Day School joins the nation in recognizing the 25th anniversary of Lights on Afterschool, a nationwide event that highlights the importance and value of after school programs. Often referred to as Out of School Time (OST) programs, after school programs provide a supportive environment for learning beyond the regular school day. As we work to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, the role that Horizons at Carolina Day plays in the lives of our students and families has never been more meaningful.
Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights on Afterschool underscores the critical role these programs play in the lives of children, families, and communities by offering students opportunities to explore new interests and develop new skills. When I started my career in the Out of School Time (OST) space over 40 years ago, the field of youth development was in its infancy. The Search Institute engaged in the earliest research on developmental assets, those skills, qualities, and supports that every child needs to grow and thrive. When kids came into the after school program that I managed in Chicago, youth workers greeted them warmly providing a feeling a safety and belonging, helped them with homework to support their academic learning, and engaged in games, art, STEM, outdoor play, and field trips to encourage and engage whole child growth, including their social and emotional development.
Over the years, many other organizations in the field of youth development including the Forum for Youth Investment, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to name just a few, have contributed to the growing body of research that supports the field of positive youth development.
The mission of Horizons at CDS is to advance educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities and schools to create experiences outside of schools that inspire the joy of learning. As I compare Horizons with other types of OST programs I have seen over the past four decades, it is clear that Horizons stands apart.
Our program promotes equity and opportunity, combining academic rigor with social-emotional learning, making Horizons an exemplary OST program. The power of our six-week summer program generates exceptional academic outcomes, Super STEAM Saturdays support school-year continuity and retention, and the “joy of learning” in our mission is evident in everything we do. While students may not initially love the idea of summer reading and math classes, Horizons offers so much more, including STEAM activities, field trips, clubs, swim instruction, meals, and outdoor adventures that make every day a dynamic experience.
Horizons is committed to nurturing the whole child. Our dedicated staff work collaboratively within the framework of each student’s family and community structure. We use STAR testing to measure students' progress in reading and math during the summer program. Throughout the school year, we also encourage participation and continuity through regular student and family check-ins, resource referrals, and meetings with teachers.
At Horizons, students don’t just grow academically—they thrive. They learn new reading and math skills, build confidence, and, most importantly, they discover a world full of possibilities and opportunities.