A message from the head of school
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! It’s hard to believe that we’re already 4 weeks into the new academic year. It has been truly wonderful to see our students settle into their routines, form new friendships, and engage with their learning in such positive ways. These first few weeks have been all about establishing strong connections, both among students and between students and their teachers.
The initial weeks are a critical period for setting the tone for the rest of the school year. At Horizon Leadership Academy, we place great emphasis on creating a supportive and welcoming environment right from the start. By focusing on teaching social skills, instilling strong character values, and collaboratively setting classroom rules, we build a solid foundation for a successful year. When students feel safe, valued, and understood, they are more likely to excel in both their academic and social endeavors.
As parents, your involvement is key to reinforcing the positive climate we are fostering here at school. We encourage you to continue conversations with your child about the rules and expectations they’ve helped to create in their classrooms. Discussing the importance of the CARES traits—Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control—at home helps reinforce what they’re learning at school and ensures that they continue to thrive.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we continue this journey together. The first month has been fantastic, and I’m excited about the great things we will accomplish this year!
Warm regards,
Muhammed Kaya
Head of School
Horizon Leadership Academy
We're excited to introduce our new Dean of Discipline, Mustafa Kanca, and our Event Coordinator, Rahsan Ozturk. Both bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles, and we’re thrilled to have them join our Horizon Leadership Academy family!
Mustafa Kanca, our new Dean of Discipline, comes with a strong background in student support and behavior management. His approach focuses on creating a positive school environment where every student feels respected and motivated to succeed. He is committed to working closely with students, teachers, and parents to ensure a safe and nurturing learning atmosphere.
Rahsan Ozturk, our best Event Coordinator, brings her expertise in organizing and managing school events to Horizon Leadership Academy. With a keen eye for detail and a creative touch, Mrs. Ozturk is dedicated to making our school events memorable and engaging for both students and families. She is looking forward to planning exciting activities that will enhance our school community and bring everyone together.
We’re confident that with Mustafa and Rahsan on our team, Horizon Leadership Academy will continue to thrive and provide a supportive, enriching environment for all our students.
Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!
At Horizon Leadership Academy, our school-wide focus this year continues to be on Building Bridges. We are dedicated to connecting ideas and fostering relationships among students, colleagues, families, our community, and beyond. This year, we’re also embracing the idea that happiness plays a crucial role in achieving success.
Research strongly supports the notion that a positive school climate leads to higher student achievement. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, "A school's environment, and the degree to which students feel connected, accepted, and respected, heavily influences students' academic achievement, mental health, and overall school success." Horizon Leadership Academy has always prided itself on maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but this year we are taking it a step further by setting a fun and energizing goal: to actively find ways to increase happiness across our school community.
We believe that by focusing on happiness, we can create an environment where students and staff alike can thrive. Below are two insightful articles on this topic, along with a lighthearted video that we hope will inspire you. We invite you to share any ideas you may have on how we can all contribute to a happier and more successful school year.
Let’s make this year at Horizon Leadership Academy our happiest and most successful yet!
