Research by the RAND Corporation shows students lose an average of eight to 12 weeks of learning between school years, with students from lower-income communities often experiencing the greatest setbacks. Left unaddressed, those losses can compound year after year.

“Summer learning loss happens to everybody,” said Horizons Atlanta Executive Director Ann Marie Bedtke. “It happened to me. It happened to you. Every student loses some learning during the summer.”

That’s the challenge Horizons Atlanta has worked to address.

While Horizons Atlanta became an independent nonprofit in 2013, Horizons programs have served Atlanta-area students since 1999, including at Woodward Academy since 2012.

Horizons Atlanta is part of the national Horizons network, which operates programs in 20 states and provides summer learning opportunities for thousands of students across the country.

Students are referred through partner schools, many of which are Title I, where educators identify and recommend students who would benefit from the program.

Although centered on the summer session, Horizons Atlanta supports scholars year-round through Saturday enrichment programs and after-school events that strengthen relationships among students, teachers and families.

Operating at nine metro Atlanta sites, Horizons Atlanta brings together educators, volunteers and students through community partnerships. Summer host sites include the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Tech, Atlanta International School and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Students continue to receive support from their teachers throughout the academic year.

“The reason Horizons Atlanta exists is to help prevent summer slide,” Bedtke said.

Unlike many summer offerings, Horizons Atlanta isn’t designed simply to keep children occupied while school is out. “This isn’t a summer camp,” Bedtke said. 

Instead, the program blends academics with enrichment, recognizing that confidence can be just as important as curriculum.

Swimming is one of the program’s signature experiences. Bedtke said learning to swim is about more than water safety; it helps some students accomplish something they once thought impossible. Confidence gained in the pool, often carries into the classroom.

That confidence was visible during a visit to Horizons Atlanta’s Woodward Academy site. 

For Joy, a rising fourth grader, swimming was intimidating at first.

“What I felt about swimming, I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to swim,’” she said. “The pool was super cold, and I couldn’t stand at the bottom.”

Now, she proudly swims in four feet of water and is working toward swimming in the 12-foot section of the pool.

“I’ve got my confidence in swimming, math and reading,” Joy said.

Josiah, another rising fourth grader, said Horizons has helped him feel prepared for the upcoming school year.

“When I go back to school, I think I’ll be more prepared because of Horizons,” he said. “I’m ready just to learn anything that comes my way.”

Prince, a rising 10th grader and former Horizons student, returned this summer as a volunteer, hoping younger students leave with lessons in kindness, teamwork and skills like cooking and swimming.

“Volunteering is a great experience,” Prince said. “You can learn a lot from them [Horizons scholars].”

Mah, a rising ninth grader who attended Horizons from kindergarten through middle school, also returned as a volunteer leader, helping choreograph performances, mentor younger students and support teachers.

“One thing about Horizons is that it’s a very positive environment,” she said. “The teachers are people who I know I can always rely on, and the students are people who help uplift your community.”

That sense of belonging helps explain why 86% of Horizons scholars return each year, along with 80% of teachers. With a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 5-to-1, scholars receive individualized attention while building lasting relationships.

Horizons Atlanta also removes barriers by remaining tuition-free and providing meals and snacks. 

Still, the need continues to grow.

“Donations are how we’re able to serve,” Bedtke said.

Community support remains essential. This week, the Rotary Club of Buckhead named Horizons Atlanta its signature community project and awarded the organization a $50,000 grant.

It costs approximately $2,800 to support one scholar for a year at Horizons Atlanta. For nearly 900 students across metro Atlanta, Horizons is transforming summer from a period of learning loss into a season of growth, confidence and opportunity.

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