Home of the Blue Jays

As we prepare to begin the upcoming quarter, we would like to share several important reminders and updates to help ensure a strong and successful semester for our students. We hope everyone had a restful winter break and is ready for a great start to Quarter 3.

Enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year at Horizon Leadership Academy is officially open. Families are invited to secure their spot early, as space is limited across grade levels. Horizon offers a rich learning environment with strong academics, advanced labs, art and music rooms, athletics, and a modern library. Students benefit from highly qualified teachers, 1:1 support, competitive programs such as Spelling Bee, Olympiads, and Math Challenges, and championship-level sports teams. Early registration includes a $750 discount, and families can schedule a campus tour to learn more.

To see the full application steps and begin the process, visit:

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

Join a school community where character, leadership, and academic success grow together. 💙

• Jan 7 – First Day of 3rd Quarter (Students Return)

• Jan 20 – Winter MAP Testing

• Jan 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

• Jan 26–30 – Mental Wellness Month Activities

More details for each event will be shared by teachers and school administration as dates approach.

Dear parents your support at home plays a critical role in your child’s academic success. We strongly encourage families to help students with:

• Time management and organization

• Establishing a regular daily study hour, even if students say they “have nothing to do”

Please keep in mind that students often have:

• Projects that have not officially started yet

• Missing or incomplete work

• Retakes or corrections to prepare for

• Upcoming lessons, assessments, or academic competitions to review

Consistent follow-up and encouragement at home are very important and truly appreciated.

Horizon Leadership Academy reminds all families that our Uniform, Grooming, and Student ID policies will continue to be strictly enforced, as outlined in the HLA Student & Parent Handbook (pages 33–34). All students in Grades 1–11 are expected to wear the official school uniform each day, with pants in black or khaki only. Jeans, joggers, and sweatpants are not permitted. During cold weather, students may wear personal jackets to school but must switch to HLA outerwear inside the building. Hoodies and non-uniform jackets are not allowed indoors. Makeup, nail polish, and lip gloss are prohibited, and jewelry should be minimal—girls may wear small stud earrings only, and boys may not wear earrings. Hair must remain neat, clean, and natural in color. Students must also carry their HLA ID at all times; random ID checks will be conducted, and those without IDs may face consequences. Lost or damaged IDs should be reported to the Front Office. These expectations help maintain a professional and respectful school environment, and we sincerely appreciate your support in reinforcing them at home.

Clubs will officially begin this Wednesday, and we’re excited for students to start participating in the activities they selected. All students signed up for a club at school, and there is no “no club” option this semester, so every student will be taking part in a club during club time.

We invite all parents of 9th grade students to join us for 9th Grade Parent Night, an important and informative session focused on your child’s progress this year and planning for the year ahead. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how your student is doing academically and what courses and pathways will be available moving forward.

During the meeting, we will discuss first-semester highlights, current academic progress and expectations, and next year’s course offerings and academic options. We strongly encourage parents to attend and be part of these important conversations as students prepare for the next stage of their academic journey.

📅 Date: January 16
⏰ Time: 2:30 PM
📍 Location: HLA Meeting Room

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to support our 9th grade students as they continue to grow and succeed.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Horizon Leadership Academy will be closed on Monday, January 19. This day is dedicated to honoring Dr. King’s legacy of leadership, service, and equality. We encourage families to take time to reflect on his message and discuss the importance of kindness, respect, and making a positive impact in our community. Classes will resume on the following school day.

Winter MAP Testing will take place on January 20.

We truly value open communication between families and our teaching staff, and we encourage parents to stay closely connected to what’s happening in the classroom. Please take time to read the weekly newsletters from core subject teachers and the monthly updates from elective teachers, as they often include important reminders, upcoming assignments, and helpful tips for supporting students at home.

If you have any questions or concerns about a specific class, we kindly ask that you reach out to the teacher first. Teachers are happy to meet with parents, either in person or via Zoom, depending on availability during the school day. In most cases, concerns can be resolved quickly through direct communication.

If a concern continues after speaking with the teacher, administration is always available to provide additional support. Also, if you notice your child struggling academically, socially, or emotionally, or if something just doesn’t seem right, please let both the teacher and administration know. When families and schools communicate regularly and work together, students are far more likely to succeed and feel supported.

Beginning Fall 2026, some families may receive $10,474 per year through the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program to help cover educational expenses such as tuition, meals, uniforms, transportation, learning materials

The program gives parents more flexibility in choosing the best educational setting for their children. Students with disabilities may receive up to $30,000 per year, and homeschool participants may receive $2,000.

Key Dates:

• September 1, 2025: TEFA law goes into effect

• January 2026: Application process opens

• School Year 2026–27: Funds can be used for eligible expenses

Who is eligible?

• U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident students eligible to attend a Texas public school.

• Priority is given to children from low-income families and students with special learning needs.

Families can learn more and find answers to common questions on Texas Private Schools – School Choice

We would like to wish a very happy birthday to the following members of our HLA family celebrating in January. We hope your day is filled with smiles and special moments.

🎉 Staff Birthdays

• Jan 3 – Daniel C.

• Jan 5 – Louis A.

• Jan 6 – Hatice Kubra A.

• Jan 18 – Muhammed K.

• Jan 26 – Askar S.

• Jan 27 – Cihat K.

🎉 Student Birthdays

• Jan 10 – Ayse Esra E. (7A)

• Jan 13 – Ali Sami K. (7A)

• Jan 20 – Osman Mahir G. (6A)

• Jan 20 – Averie F. (Kindergarten)

Happy Birthday to all, and thank you for being such an important part of the HLA community. 💙

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 your continued partnership, communication, and support. Together, we can ensure a productive and successful semester for all HLA students.

Horizon Leadership Academy Administration