Horizon Middle School

Horizon Middle School, located in the Sand Creek Zone, is a student-centered, community service-oriented school with a committed staff that keeps high expectations for all students. Staff members use positive behavior support to promote positive, proactive student and staff relationships. 

Curricula

Horizon Middle School promotes academics that support the Colorado Academic Standards, while nurturing different perspectives and learner dispositions. We have adopted behaviors and mindframes that maximize student learning which include: :

• The importance of assessment and feedback for teachers and students
• Working collaboratively and fostering the sense of community
• 'The notion that learning should be challenging
• Engaging in dialogue and the correct balance between talking and listening
• Conveying what success looks like to learners
• Building positive relationships

At Horizon, students receive the academic support that they need. Through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), we are able to identify which students need which supports. The MTSS process is a system that allows staff, including administrators and counselors, to communicate about student supports and interventions on an ongoing basis. Students may receive additional literacy and math support through targeted intervention classes that are embedded during the school day and after-school programs designed to support academic needs. We also offer time for academic support during the day and after-school study lab for students needing additional time and assistance.

Extracurricular

We encourage students to get involved and try new things during middle school. Who knows, they may find a passion?  Students may participate in after-school clubs such as: chess club, international club, robotics, talent show, honor choir, lifting and conditioning, Battle of the Books and writing club.

Community

Horizon is highly committed to community involvement and support. The community service club sponsors a number of events to teach students the importance of contributing to the community. Students are encouraged to support charities and groups through a variety of creative events of their design, such as One Nation Walking Together, Stockings for Soldiers, Care and Share, Water for People and Heifer International. To show their profound gratitude and support of military families, faculty invite guest speakers and military family members to participate in Veterans Day assemblies.

School hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

     The Sand Creek Zone is located at the southern end of District 49. Our zone includes Evans Elementary, Horizon Middle, Remington Elementary, Sand Creek High School, Springs Ranch Elementary and Stetson Elementary. The Sand Creek Zone is made up of 5 Title 1 schools, receiving federal funding to support academic achievement and growth. We also offer a Dual Language Immersion opportunity at Stetson elementary, beginning with Kindergarten and 1st grade, that is only available in District 49. Many of our schools truly embody the Community School model, utilizing our community partners, resources and volunteers to bring a well-rounded education to our students and families.  Josten's Renaissance is a cornerstone of the Sand Creek Zone; we believe that building relationships is critical to high-achieving schools and that students and staff must feel connected to their work in order to succeed. We are dedicated to student success, service to our community, dedication to our people and constant innovation and growth. 

Recognize a Sand Creek Employee that is "In the Zone". This is a special recognition that acknowledges a Sand Creek Zone employee who has done an outstanding job, made an extraordinary effort, went above and beyond their role or presented an overly caring or welcoming attitude.

Those selected as "In the Zone" through this nomination will receive zone wide recognition for their exceptional efforts. Nominations do not guarantee an award winning spot for that month.

Nominate your Sand Creek Zone employee here.

Instructional Framework: The Sand Creek Zone is committed to building collective efficacy by intentionally fostering a student-centered culture with clear instructional expectations focused on student success.

Culture: positive relationships, clear routines, explicit expectations with accountability, engagement, and recognition

Instruction: Data-driven decisions, viable curriculum, intentional, collaborative planning, explicit core instruction and intervention, language-rich environment

Success: Student growth and achievement is vital, clarity of learning intention and success criteria, effective use of instructional time, timely feedback, growth mindset, and peer collaboration

We offer many certifications and certificates that students can earn prior to graduating high school with a focus on Business, Manufacturing, Computer Science, Engineering, Graphic Design, Personal Training, and Health & Exercise Science pathways for students to explore. We are excited to be adding Criminal Justice starting in the Winter of 2024. We offer a wide variety of college courses at Sand Creek High School, supporting the most CE students in the district with many of them earning 1-2 years of free college courses prior to graduation. We also have brought on AVID at the high school level to move our students from the middle to higher-achieving courses, mindsets and growth.