Scholar Outcomes

Horizons has a long history of program evaluation, including three studies out of Yale University. Over each six-week summer session, Horizons Atlanta students show consistent gains in reading and math, as measured by pre- and post-standardized assessments. Furthermore, when the opportunity cost of insufficiently supported students who would have experienced summer learning loss without our programs is taken into account, Horizons students fare 5-6 months better than other youth in their demographic - not just reversing “summer slide” but instead sending children back to school ahead of where they were in May.

Horizons Atlanta reports scholar growth using a three-year average. Students are tested in Early Literacy, Reading, and Math at the beginning and end of the six weeks, and their results are measured in months of growth. We consistently see higher gains for students who begin the summer performing below grade-level, affirming our commitment to recruiting students who would benefit from intensive academic support. 

 

 

In 2025, Horizons Atlanta recorded that 77% of students returned to the program after spending the previous summer with us. On average, 87% of our students were in attendance on any given day of the five to six weeks of Horizons.

 

 

In addition, evaluations consistently find that over one six-week summer session, Horizons scholars:

  • Improve social skills
  • Show increased self-confidence and motivation
  • Demonstrate greater willingness to try new things
  • Record higher school-year attendance
  • Develop greater interest in nutrition
  • Learn to swim
  • Express high satisfaction with the program

Nationwide, of the students enrolled in Horizons high school programs:

  • 99% graduate on time
  • 94% attend post-secondary training 

Because our regional network of programs is still growing organically, one grade level at a time, we do not yet have a regional high school graduation rate to report. We will begin tracking this data as our pilot high school programs at Georgia Tech and Holy Innocents' Episcopal School reaches maturity over the next several years.