Program Model
Our tuition-free Summer Academy and Super STEAM Saturday programs address the opportunity gap that exists between Horizons students and their peers.
A multi-year, family-centered approach is the foundation of Horizons at CDS. The core of Horizons is an engaging, award-winning 6-week summer academic program hosted on the Carolina Day School campus. Students join Horizons the summer after kindergarten and remain involved for nine years or more. This long term model, combined with deep intentional family engagement, are proven to retain students in the program and produce notable results.
High-quality instruction, hands-on experiential learning, and individualized support from skilled professional teachers are the foundation of our model. Horizons at CDS fosters joyful and engaging environments full of academic, artistic, and athletic activities that inspire young minds. We believe that every child should have access to opportunities that help them thrive.
Outcomes include measurable gains in reading, math, swim skills and water confidence, social skills, self-esteem, school-year attendance, and high-school graduation rates.
When a student enrolls in Horizons at Carolina Day School, they join a learning community that extends year-round.
During the summer, our students are immersed in an all-day STEM-centered curriculum that improves literacy and math proficiency. Students explore a project-based curriculum taught by professional teachers with a 5:1 student to teacher ratio. Students also explore social-emotional learning, perform volunteer work, go on field trips, develop conflict resolution skills, run a community garden, and learn to swim. During the school year, our students participate in monthly academic enrichment programming, and family social events.
To advance educational equity in our community, we remove barriers that stand in the way of our families.
Transportation is a critical component of Horizons. Without it, many students would not be able to access our program. We commit to providing a high-quality and accessible program experience through round-trip transportation, meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks) to fuel our students’ day, and all teaching and learning supplies students need to fully participate.
Returning year after year, our scholars, staff, and families develop deep, trusting relationships.
Working together with our families, Horizons at CDS sets and fosters high expectations for our students’ social and emotional development, engagement, and achievement.