Horizon Happenings

There is a lot to celebrate at Horizon Science Academy Lorain South! As we begin our second year, our South Campus has officially tripled in size, an exciting milestone that reflects the continued growth of our school community.

This year, Horizon South is proudly serving students in Pre-K through 3rd grade, giving even more Lorain families the opportunity to become part of the Horizon family. What began as a new chapter for our school just one year ago is quickly growing into a thriving community of students, families, and educators.

As our South Campus grows, our commitment remains the same. Families can expect the same quality education, caring teachers, engaging opportunities, and dedication to student success at both our Main and South campuses. No matter which building our students call home, they are part of one Horizon family.

We are incredibly thankful to the families who have trusted us with their children's education and to the staff members who have helped make this growth possible. Watching our youngest Tigers learn, grow, and build the foundation for their futures has made this an exciting start to year two.

And we're just getting started! We can't wait to see what the future holds for Horizon South Campus.

There were plenty of pancakes, smiles, and special memories at Horizon this September! Both our Main and South campuses welcomed families for our annual Pancakes with Pals events, and we were thrilled with the incredible turnout.

These events gave our students the opportunity to start their school day by enjoying breakfast with some of their favorite people. Parents, grandparents, family members, and other special guests joined us for a morning of pancakes, conversation, and quality time together.

At Horizon, we believe that strong connections between school and home play an important role in student success. Events like Pancakes with Pals aren't just about sharing a meal, they give families an opportunity to spend time in our schools, connect with our community, and be part of their child's school experience.

We are incredibly thankful to everyone who joined us and helped make both events such a success. Seeing our cafeterias filled with families laughing, talking, and making memories with their students is exactly why we love hosting events like these.

Thank you to our Horizon families for continuing to show up, get involved, and help make our school community so special. We can't wait to welcome you back for our next family event!

At Horizon Science Academy of Lorain, preparing students for the future means helping them understand all of the opportunities available to them after graduation. Recently, we were excited to welcome Dee Smith, Executive Director of Ohio ACTE, to speak with our students about Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the many pathways it can open.

Career and Technical Education, commonly known as CTE, combines academic learning with practical, career-focused skills. CTE programs give students opportunities to explore different industries, gain hands-on experience, develop technical and professional skills, and learn more about careers they may want to pursue after high school.

For students, exposure to CTE can be an important part of discovering what comes next. Not every student has the same interests, talents, or goals, and there is no single pathway to success after graduation. Some students may choose a four-year university, while others may pursue a two-year degree, apprenticeship, industry credential, technical training, or enter the workforce. Learning about these options while still in school allows students to make more informed decisions about their futures.

CTE also helps students see the connection between what they are learning in the classroom and how those skills can be used in the real world. Through career exploration and hands-on learning, students can begin identifying their strengths and interests while developing skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and leadership.

Opportunities like our visit from Dee Smith are an important part of what we are continuing to build at Horizon. By connecting students with professionals and leaders in career and technical education, we can introduce them to possibilities they may not have considered before and encourage them to start thinking about their goals early.

We would like to thank Dee Smith and Ohio ACTE for spending time with our students and helping them explore where their interests, talents, and skills could take them.

At Horizon, our goal is bigger than getting students to graduation. We want them to leave us with a plan, a purpose, and excitement about what comes next.

There was plenty of excitement at Horizon South as our students enjoyed their first Scholastic Book Fair of the school year! For our young Tigers, the Book Fair is always an exciting event and one that students look forward to each year.

With Horizon South now serving students from Pre-K through 3rd grade, promoting early literacy is an important part of building a strong foundation for our youngest learners. Reading at an early age helps children develop vocabulary, comprehension, communication skills, and confidence that will support them throughout their education.

The Scholastic Book Fair gives students a fun opportunity to explore books that match their own interests. Whether they are excited about a favorite character, fascinated by animals and science, or discovering a brand-new story, allowing students to choose books for themselves can help turn reading from an assignment into something they genuinely enjoy.

We were also excited to welcome families to shop alongside their students. Family involvement plays an important role in encouraging young readers, and something as simple as choosing a new book together can help create positive memories around reading that extend beyond the classroom.

We loved watching our Tigers browse the shelves, share their discoveries with friends, and leave excited about their new books.

At Horizon South, we know that a love of reading starts early, and we are proud to provide experiences that encourage our students to keep learning, exploring, and turning the page to their next adventure!

At Horizon Science Academy of Lorain, some of our favorite traditions are the ones that give us an opportunity to slow down, connect with our students, and hear directly from them. We are excited to continue our Administration and Senior Breakfast tradition with the Class of 2027.

Throughout the year, small groups of seniors are invited to sit down for breakfast with members of our Administration Team. These mornings give students a chance to reflect on their time at Horizon, share favorite memories and lessons they have learned, talk about their plans for the future, and offer their thoughts on how we can continue making Horizon even better.

Our seniors have already brought plenty of great ideas to the table. They have talked about wanting additional AP courses, more clubs and activities, expanded sports opportunities, and practical life-skills classes that could help prepare students for adulthood.

We have also asked our seniors what advice they would give to their younger selves. Their message has been clear: take your grades seriously, stay focused, work hard, and make every year count. It is advice that comes from experience as they look back on their own journey toward graduation.

These conversations are especially meaningful because some members of the Class of 2027 have been part of the Horizon family since Kindergarten or 1st grade. We have had the privilege of watching them grow from young students into seniors preparing to take their next steps beyond Horizon.

As graduation gets closer, we are grateful for these opportunities to listen, learn, laugh, and reminisce together. We are proud of how far the Class of 2027 has come and look forward to sharing breakfast with even more of our seniors throughout the year.

Preparing students for life after graduation means more than preparing them for college and careers. It also means helping them understand their role in the communities where they live, work, and build their futures.

Recently, our 11th and 12th grade students welcomed Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley, his wife, Debora Bradley, and representatives from the Lorain County Board of Elections for a special presentation focused on voting and civic engagement. Mayor Bradley is currently serving as Lorain's mayor, with his present term running through 2027.

During the visit, students learned about the importance of making their voices heard and gained a better understanding of the different levels of government and the roles elected officials play in their communities. The conversation also encouraged students to think about civic engagement as something that extends beyond Election Day and includes staying informed and finding ways to become involved in their community.

Representatives from the Lorain County Board of Elections helped students better understand the voting process, including voter registration and early voting. The Board of Elections provides voter registration resources, polling-place information, voter ID guidance, and other resources for Lorain County voters.

Students also had an opportunity to get hands-on experience with a voting machine. For students who will soon be voting for the first time, seeing the equipment and learning what to expect can make the process feel much more familiar. Eligible students who were interested were also given the opportunity to register to vote.

The day included another special milestone for our school community as we recognized our Principal, Mr. Simsek, who shared that he will also be participating as a first-time voter in an upcoming election.

Experiences like this allow our students to connect what they learn in the classroom with the world around them. As our juniors and seniors prepare for adulthood, we want them to leave Horizon with the knowledge and resources they need to participate thoughtfully in their communities.

Thank you to Mayor Bradley, Debora Bradley, and the Lorain County Board of Elections for taking the time to visit Horizon, answer our students' questions, and help our future voters learn more about the democratic process.