Home of the Blue Jays

Dear Horizon Families,

February has been busy in the way schools like to be busy. Academically rich, slightly exhausting, and full of moments that actually matter. Here’s what’s happening at Horizon Leadership Academy.

Our entire school proudly celebrated the 100th Day of School, recognizing 100 days of learning, growth, and perseverance across all grade levels. Classrooms throughout campus marked the occasion with meaningful activities that reflected academic progress, effort, and consistency since the start of the year.

While all students participated in the celebration, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade brought extra energy to the day through creative outfits and hands-on projects. Students dressed as 100-year-olds and engaged in fun, themed activities that made the milestone both memorable and joyful.

A special thank you to the teachers who helped make this day so engaging for our youngest learners:

• Pre-K: Ms. Nesibe

• Kindergarten: Ms. Hamlet

• 1st Grade: Ms. Michelle

• Teacher Aide: Ms.Hatice

The excitement, creativity, and pride on display truly captured the spirit of our school community.

Enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year is officially open at Horizon Leadership Academy. We welcome both new and returning families to secure their spot for the upcoming academic year.

All admissions steps, requirements, and application details can be found here:

👉 https://www.horizonleadershipacademy.org/admissions/application-steps

For additional questions, please contact our Admissions Office:

📞 832-543-8008

📧 admissions@myhla.org

Our students continue to show strong engagement across all grade levels, with classrooms filled with hands-on learning, collaboration, and curiosity. Teachers have been focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and building strong academic foundations that support long-term success. We are also pleased to share that MAP Testing Week has successfully concluded, and students demonstrated focus, perseverance, and effort throughout the assessment process. The results will help teachers better understand individual learning needs and guide instruction moving forward, ensuring continued academic growth for every student.

Our students participated in the Copernicus Science Olympiad, an international competition focused on science knowledge and critical thinking, and they delivered outstanding results.

Horizon students earned a total of 3 Gold medals, 9 Silver medals, 10 Bronze medals, and 2 Honorable Place awards.

Gold medalists were Betul K., Nalan A., and Isa H.

Silver medals were awarded to Selma M., Fernando G. S. K., Safiye E., Abdurrahim S., Elif Betul E., Emir H., Salih E., Asuman Vuslat D., and Sebnem C.

Bronze medalists included Fatima U., Asel S., Adam A., Zehra T., Nergis Liza D., Nese G., Leila A., Neset Orhan A., Ayse G., and Ilknur K.

Honorable Place awards were earned by Sara K. and Abdullah Tahir K.

In addition to medals, Copernicus recognized top-performing students with two iPads and one Oculus device as special prizes.

Preparation and guidance were led by Mr. Kenci, Mr. Askar, and Ms. Avci, and we congratulate all participating students for their dedication and academic achievement.

Dear Horizon Families,

With Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) applications opening on February 4, we want to share an important update regarding the application process and Horizon’s listing status.

Please carefully read the attached letter before applying. It explains:

• Why you should proceed with your application even if Horizon does not appear immediately

• What to expect during the administrative review period

• Links to newly released video guides to assist you step-by-step

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important update.

Thank you for being active partners in your children’s education. February delivered excellence, effort, and more than a few proud moments. March is already lining up to do the same.

Horizon Leadership Academy Administration

We invite all parents to participate in our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences, scheduled for Friday, February 13, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with a brief break from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM. For grades 2–11, conference appointments will be 10 minutes in length. Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade families will meet with generalist teachers only and will receive a separate sign-up link. Please note that walk-ins will not be accepted, and in-person meetings are strongly encouraged over Zoom whenever possible. The sign-up deadline is Wednesday, February 11 at 11:59 PM, and appointment times are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parents may register using the following link: https://shorturl.at/YCIOs

We are proud to recognize our February Student of the Month, a student who consistently demonstrates strong character, responsibility, and a positive attitude toward learning. Through dedication, respect for others, and a commitment to doing their best each day, this student represents the values we strive to instill at Horizon Leadership Academy. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for being a positive example within our school community.

Please note that Horizon Leadership Academy will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day. There will be no school for students, and classes will resume on the next regular school day. We wish our families a safe and restful holiday.

We are excited to spotlight the Aerial Drone Competition, an innovative STEM experience hosted by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF). This program provides students with hands-on opportunities to build real-world skills in technology, problem-solving, and teamwork through competitive drone challenges. Our middle school team has worked diligently throughout the year and will proudly showcase their skills on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Katy Harmony. We wish our students the best of luck as they represent Horizon Leadership Academy and demonstrate their commitment to STEM excellence.

This February, Horizon Leadership Academy proudly celebrates Black History Month through meaningful, student-centered experiences that honor the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans.

Throughout the month, students engage in Morning Heritage Moments, educational activities, and grade-level experiences designed to deepen understanding and appreciation. Middle and high school students participated in The Boy from Troy educational theatre experience, while elementary students explored history through a guided viewing of Ruby Bridges.

Our celebration continues with opportunities to connect through music, movement, and community, including cultural events, a school-wide Sock Hop, a Southern Heritage Cookout Potluck, and a student performance highlighting the legacy of Motown.

Together, these experiences encourage reflection, learning, and respect while honoring the lasting impact of Black history on our shared story.

Yesterday, our students experienced The Boy from Troy, a powerful live theatre performance honoring Black History Month.

Through storytelling and an engaging talk-back session, students explored the early life of Congressman John Lewis and the values he embodied: perseverance, justice, empathy, leadership, and the courage to stand up for what is right.

Cast & Crew Thanks:

• Actors: Ryhan Brown, Ryan Amie, Talbert Williams

• Production Stage Manager: Jade Chang

• Director: Steven J. Scott

Special thanks to our Dean of Discipline, Mr. Kanca, for organizing this meaningful experience.

History came alive. Conversations followed. Lessons stayed.

This month, our Middle School Girls Basketball team completed their season after competing in the playoff round against a strong opponent. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our athletes for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding performance throughout the season. Their commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship were on full display, and we are very proud of how they represented Horizon Leadership Academy.

As we turn the page, our Elementary and Middle School Boys Soccer seasons officially begin this week. February will bring a busy and exciting match schedule, and our student athletes have been preparing with great focus and effort. We are looking forward to a competitive and rewarding season ahead.

The inaugural basketball game for our Elementary Boys Club was a strong and encouraging start to the season. The student-athletes displayed impressive teamwork, focus, and growing confidence on the court, reflecting clear progress in both skill development and understanding of the game. The coaches are excited about the growth they are seeing and proud of the commitment shown by each player. This marks the beginning of a journey that will help students build discipline, leadership, and resilience both on and off the court. More club basketball games are on the way.

As always, the support of our families and school community plays a vital role in our athletics program. Your presence at games and encouragement from the sidelines make a meaningful difference for our students. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to sharing many great moments this season.

In recognition of Black History Month, the Athletic Department has prepared a special feature honoring Black American athletes who have made significant contributions to sports and history. This display highlights perseverance, leadership, resilience, and excellence, values we strive to instill in all of our students.

We believe this feature will serve as an inspiration for our school community and help students see how sports can be a powerful platform for positive change, character development, and leadership.

Thank you for being a part of the Horizon Athletics family.

February brings special celebrations for members of our Horizon community! We wish everyone celebrating this month a very happy birthday and a year filled with joy, success, and great memories. 🎈

🍰 Teachers:
Warm birthday wishes to our teachers Muammer G. and Nesibe B.

🌟 Students:
Happy Birthday to Malachi H., Kemel A., Zhar-Mukhammed A., Metin B., Ahmet A., Melissa D., Zehra H., Nourseen Y., and Bilal A.

Follow our high school students’ creative videos on Instagram: @hla.bluejays

Check out our official TikTok for fun highlights and student life: @horizonleadershipacademy

Facebook: @horizonleadershipacademytx

X: @hla_houston

Instagram: @horizonleadership.academy

Youtube: @horizonleadershipacademy

Thank you for being active partners in your children’s education. February is just beginning, and it has already brought meaningful learning, strong engagement, and moments that make us proud. We look forward to the experiences and achievements still ahead this month and beyond.

With appreciation,

Horizon Leadership Academy