Our students and families
Horizons serves 200 K-12 students and their families who primarily attend one of our three partner public schools in the Mission District: Buena Vista Elementary, Marshall Elementary, and The Mission Preparatory School.
kindergarten through 8th grade
In the early elementary years, our goal is to ensure that all Horizons students and their families have access to a year-round network of resources that support their learning during these foundational years.In the later elementary years, our goal is to ensure that all Horizons students receive targeted tutoring to address their academic needs and gain access to year-round enrichment activities. In middle school, we focus more heavily on STEM and humanities through project-based learning, as well as leadership experience.
high school programming
In 8th and 9th grade, we provide comprehensive high school transition support, including a prep class, application assistance, and test preparation. Once students enter high school, we offer ongoing case management, college and career readiness programs, and group mentorship. Our high school students can also apply for paid internship programs at Horizons, where they lead the next generation of Horizons students, while gaining invaluable work experience.
family support
Beyond childcare, Horizons provides a range of family and community services. Year-round, we offer workshops on financial literacy, tech skills, and mental health support. Since joy is at the heart of our work, we also organize social events that bring our community together, fostering connection and celebration throughout the year.
“I think joyful is a word that I would use to describe these students. I think they hold a lot of joy and energy” - Horizons STEM Teacher
Why the Mission District?
All of our students attend partner schools in the Mission District, a historically immigrant, Latinx neighborhood in San Francisco that is undergoing rapid gentrification, creating significant challenges for the working-class families who have called it home for generations. Educators in the Mission and in San Francisco consistently identify access to affordable, high-quality summer programs as a critical need for the families they serve.
Learners to leaders
Horizons at SFFS stands out for our unique 12+ year commitment to students. Children begin our program the summer after kindergarten, and 92% remain with us throughout their childhood. Each year, we have the privilege of watching our students learn and grow, ultimately becoming leaders of their generation.
Nearly half of our students are identified as emerging bilingual, and 97% come from Spanish-speaking households. At the time of entry, two-thirds of Horizons at SFFS students are academically below grade level, with one-third at or above grade level. Our students are referred to us by their home schools or are connected through family members.
“Horizons has helped my children be more responsible with their homework, improved their reading, try new things, and be more confident in themselves.”
— Horizons Parent