About us

Horizon Academy: Placing New Steps of Change...

Established in 2009, Horizon Academy was born out of a passion for education, a love for children, and an aspiration for excellence from a core group of parents and educators who believe that every child should be given the opportunity to meet and exceed his or her true potential.

Our efforts have been focused and consistent, the faith and the vision unwavering. The result is truly the product of synergy. Horizon Academy is proof that dedication and hard work can indeed make dreams a reality.

"Holistic education demands that schools do more than have children read what is in their books. We should open their eyes to new experiences, challenge them to think, to create, to build, to explore."

Dian Maheia

Founder, Horizon Academy

Our Programs and Services

Horizon Academy offers a dynamic holistic academic and expressive arts and sports program in comparison with other privately operated schools in the city.

The academic curriculum includes classes in an integrated Language Arts program that includes Reading, Comprehension, Grammar, Spelling, Phonics, and Writing. Math, Social Studies, Science, Spanish, and Information Technology round out the core curriculum. In addition, all students participate in Physical Education, Art, Music, and Organic Gardening.

The Expressive Arts and Sports program offers students choices in the fine, practical, and performing arts and a wide range of sporting disciplines. Students must choose a maximum of three options per school year from the following categories: Swimming, Football, Tennis, Art, Dance, Arts and Crafts, and Choir.

150

Students spread over 11 classes.

17.3%

Special Needs Students integration.

Teaching faculty with 5 men and 12 women.

9:1

Students teacher ratio, for proper attention on child.

Be respectful

be responsible

be there, be ready

Horizon's Core Values

Horizon Academy is a client-focused and result-driven private school that provides different learning approaches and experiences at an affordable cost to interested parents. We strive to ensure that our students’ best interests always come first and to abide by the core values listed below.

Accountability and Responsibility
Appreciation for Diverse Cultures
Progressive Work Ethics
Civility
Excellence
Healthy Living
Respect for the Environment
Honesty
Independence
Individual Integrity

Horizon Academy offers a school-wide positive discipline program called the Character Bee program. This program was designed to enforce school rules in a fun and easy-to-remember way. These behavioral expectations are emphasized and promoted in all areas of school life:

Four Founding Principles

Horizon Academy’s strength lies in its demonstrated ability to provide a sound academic foundation with a wide range of non-traditional lessons and activities in order to equip students for a truly holistic primary school education. This education is delivered in a caring, nurturing environment where students feel safe and happy and know that they are part of a family.
Horizon Academy has remained true to its founding principles.

We are Holistic: As a result of the school’s Expressive Arts and Sports program, students also benefit from a wide variety of exposure to and instruction in the fine, practical, and performing arts, as well as in sports. Horizon Academy’s curriculum also provides students with classes in organic gardening and exposes them to programs which incorporate education and technology, effectively blending traditional, hands-on lessons with more progressive classes.

We are Child-centered: Horizon Academy’s small class sizes provide one of the school’s greatest advantages compared to the other private schools. Students are able to receive more one-on-one instruction in this setting.
Teachers plan and deliver lessons which are designed to reach each student – a lofty goal at best, and often unattainable in larger classrooms. At Horizon, differentiated reading lessons are encouraged for students especially when they are emerging readers, and multiple and varied teaching and assessment strategies are employed to ensure that all learners are successful.

We are Progressive: “Progressive” is so often defined today by the use of technology, but at Horizon Academy, “progressive” really means so much more. Here we advocate for social reform by thinking – and acting – outside the box in so many ways.
Service to the nation is non-negotiable for us. On a yearly basis, Horizon Academy organizes and promotes several school wide social impact projects. Students benefit greatly from learning the importance of giving back to the community.

We are Inclusive: Our commitment to inclusion has led to our having a student population which currently includes an average of 25% to 30% of the overall school population with a wide range of special learning needs, whether formally diagnosed or suspected.
Largely in part to the inclusion of special needs students in the classroom and indeed the school community, Horizon Academy students grow up to be kinder and more considerate of others. It is our expectation that these are the students who will truly become good citizens of Belize. Their awareness and understanding of the intrinsic differences in people around them will help them to make the necessary steps to help our nation grow into a more progressive, more successful country.

Live the Life of Your Dreams: Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.

Roy T. Bennett

The Light in the Heart

Our Vision

By 2022, Horizon Academy will be operating with stronger financial stability and will be equipped with improved infrastructure. Students will benefit from modern academic and technological facilities and will be achieving recognition for high proficiency in all areas.

Our Mission

To provide a challenging international education in a progressive environment which focuses on the development of the whole child as a national and global citizen

Horizon's Accomplishments

During its eleven years of existence, Horizon Academy has worked unceasingly to make an impact in the community as proof of its worth as an educational institution. We recognize the following as some of the school’s notable accomplishments:

June 2011, PSE Top Ten placement (first school sitting)
June 2012, Belize District representative at Coca-Cola National Spelling Bee
2013, Expressive Arts Cooking class featured on Grace and Me segment on Open Your Eyes Morning Show on Channel 5
2015 and 2016, Kids at Work Financial Literacy Expo
2016, 2nd Place in Sidewalk Chalk Competition for Street Art Festival
2017, Horizon Academy’s Salutatorian of the Class of 2017 earned National Champion in Shotput for Females in the National Primary School Championships
June 2017, Award of Recognition for Best Overall Performance Nationally for Category III schools, Ministry of Education
June 2018, Certificate of Recognition, One of the Top Ten Performing Schools, Category IV, Ministry of Education
June 2019, Belize District representative at Coca-Cola National Spelling Bee

February 2012, Winner of National Primary School Karate Championship
2011 and 2012, Most Promising School in Art, National Festival of the Arts
2014, 2015, 2016, Horizon Academy Triathlon
2015, Horizon Academy’s Class of 2011 Valedictorian named as 1st Place in English in ATLIB Exam
2016, Horizon Academy’s Class of 2012 Valedictorian named as 2nd place in Belize for CSEC Examinations
2017, Horizon Academy student chosen to represent Belize as Young Journalist in Football for Friendship program for the World Cup 2018 in Russia
June 2017, Award of Recognition for Best Overall Performance Belize District for Category III schools, Ministry of Education
June 2019, Horizon Academy student places 9th in the PSE
Summer 2020, Horizon Academy student represents Belize in Track and Field as part of the national team for Codicader in El Salvador and Costa Rica

Organizational Structure

Horizon Academy is currently run by a Principal who oversees the daily management and operation of the school. The Principal is assisted by a Vice-Principal and 2 Heads of Department, one for Special Education Services, and one for Student Services. The business office is managed by an Office Manager, and a Bursar handles the accounting and financial operations of the school.
There is a full time staff of 16, which includes a School Counsellor and a PE teacher/ Sports Coordinator as well as a security/ janitor/ handyman. There are 2 part time staff for music and art, and 5 teachers in the Special Education Division who act as support teachers and shadows for Special Needs students.
A Board of Directors acts as the managing authority for the school.