Summer Program
During the summer, Horizons at SFFS operates a six-week learning and enrichment program for students who attend K-8 public schools in the Mission District. A summer at Horizons combines academic instruction, enrichment activities, swimming classes, social-emotional support, and outdoor education to give students a well-rounded experience and expose them to a variety of new interests and activities.
A Horizons summer is…
Academics
Students spend at least 3+ hours each day on reading, writing, math, and science instruction led by experienced independent and public school teachers.
A 4-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 2 reading and math intervention specialists ensure that each students receives individualized support and attention.
Bilingual classrooms build upon the work that many of our students are doing in their immersion classrooms during the year, and a Curriculum and Instructional Lead ensures the delivery of quality literacy-focused instruction.
Student receive student-led and educator-designed curriculum that prioritizes project based learning, builds upon the California Common Core Standards and incorporates the rich cultural context of the Mission District
Enrichment
We know the importance of learning outside the classroom. That's why Horizons at SFFS students are exposed to a wide variety of enrichment opportunities that build upon the knowledge they're gaining and introduce them to new experiences.
Elective classes in previous summers have included photography, coding, dance, studio art, and theater. In 2024, our incredible Reading Specialist taught a theater course that incorporated literacy skills.
Field trips also expand our students’ horizons. Our students venture out in the bay area, visiting museums, kayaking on the bay, sailing, whitewater rafting, camping, rock climbing, ice skating, going to the zoo, and visiting the botanical gardens.
We encourage you to reach out if you are based in the Bay Area and would be interested in teaching an elective or hosting a field trip for our students.
Swimming
Most students come to the program as non-swimmers. In the pool, they learn trust and build self-esteem – qualities which carry over into the classroom. Our younger students receive swim instruction from the wonderful swim coaches at the JCC, and our older students are joined by their classroom teachers in the pool to perfect the skills they have learned at Horizons in previous summers.
Swimming is a core aspect of our programming which:
Transforms a feared challenge into a favorite activity
Teaches resilience and strategies to overcome fears and obstacles
Inspires a healthy lifestyle
Introduces a competitive sport
Teaches skills for summer employment
Is FUN: it’s the overwhelming favorite activity among our students!
Social-Emotional Learning
We believe in nurturing the whole child to ensure our students thrive not only academically, but also emotionally and socially.
A Horizons summer gives students the opportunity to stay connected to their classmates and make new friends. Students also form close and trusting relationships with teachers and staff members. In 2024, 85% of middle school students reported that they had one or more close, trusted adult at the Horizons program, compared to 60% of students district-wide.
Horizons teachers are trained in trauma-informed and non-punitive classroom management strategies that focus on restorative justice. We also employ two full-time Wellness Coaches during the summer, who provide students with one-on-one social and emotional support and wellness classes to our older students.
