Welcome to the Horizon Charter Schools - Sacramento Charter Schools

Partnerships for Student-Centered Learning and Horizon Charter School

We appreciate your interest in our school programs and look forward to providing you with unequalled educational support. By joining our schools, you have become part of a community of parents that is willing to take an active role in the education of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. As you explore this website, we hope you will become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of all those who interact with your student.

What are Horizon Charter School and Partnerships for Student-Centered Learning?

Horizon Charter School (HCS), a public charter school authorized by the California State Board of Education, is a personalized learning independent study program serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. HCS has been in operation since 1993 when it was authorized as the 15th charter school in California. We are a public school chartered through Western Placer Unified School District. HCS provides high quality educational choices to more than 1,500 students in El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, and Yuba counties. Partnerships for Student-Centered Learning (PaSCL) is our newest Charter School. PaSCL was approved for operation by the California State Board of Education on July 18, 2010. PaSCL is also authorized by Western Placer Unified School District and operated by Horizon Charter Schools. PaSCL serves approximately 1,300 students in the same counties as HCS.

Quality Education through Personalized Learning.

At both Horizon Charter Schools, we believe that every child can excel both academically and personally. A Personalized Learning Plan is developed for every child based on the California Academic Content Standards and on each child's abilities, interests, and aptitudes. Students are largely responsible for their educational inquiry and pursuits.

Home/Independent Study

Horizon Charter Schools' focus is developing and implementing home and independent study programs that expand educational opportunities for public school students. In the home study program, parents are responsible for the day-to-day instruction of their children under the guidance and support of a credentialed teacher. In the high school independent study program known as Additional Educational Support Services (AESS), students meet weekly or bimonthly with their Supervising Teacher and study independently on their own. Academic and elective classes are available in several locations and students may also enroll in private instruction. Distance learning is widely used, and many field trips are offered. Special education services are provided to eligible students.

Credentialed Supervising Teachers (ST)

The school employs highly qualified, state credentialed educators to work with parents and students to design and implement an individual instruction plan that fits the students' learning styles and educational goals. Student instructional programs may be designed to prepare the students to continue their education at a college of their choice or to enter the workforce.

Fully Accredited

Both HCS and PaSCL are publicly funded and fully accredited to grant high school diplomas. Both schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

A Brief History

Home Study, Area Classes, and Activities

During the early years, Horizon Charter School was entirely a home-based independent study program. In response to parent requests to supplement the home study program, core and enrichment classes were developed and offered in Lincoln, Roseville, Auburn, Elk Grove, and Placerville.

Montessori Co-op

HCS established the Lincoln Montessori Community Cooperative, a site-based K-8 school program, in 1998. This program has grown from a small co-op of 14 students to the present 135 students housed in our small, friendly facility on First Street in Lincoln.

Community 'Hybrid' Programs

In response to community request, the Sacramento Leadership Collaborative Program (K-12) began in 2005. This cooperative program combined direct instruction by credentialed HCS teachers with parent-led instruction and support. The Excel Program for high-risk students in grades 8-12 was also established that year due to the number of students entering HCS at risk of school failure.

In the fall of 2006, HCS opened the Academy of Math, Science & Engineering (Gr. 7-12) at its new facility in Roseville. One year later, HCS offered an additional new program: the Accelerated Learning Academy (ALA) of Placer County (Gr. 6-8). Our small, hybrid programs combined direct instruction by credentialed HCS teachers with strong parent involvement in the management of their children's education. This year ALA expanded to serve students grade 3-10. We continued to expand by adding a new College Preparatory Academy in Elk Grove: the Sacramento Academy for Enterprising Youth (Gr. 7-12). and two new academies: the School of Kreativity, Innovation and Excellence (gr. 7-12) and Respect for Excellence and Creative Young Hearts (K-6) as well as The Roseville Independent Study Enrichment Program (K-12) which opened this fall and provides academic support and enrichment to independent study students through classroom-based instruction.

Distance Learning (Virtual Learning)

Distance learning opportunities are expanding and Horizon is pleased to offer a wide variety of these programs to our students.

We have expanded distance learning opportunities to our secondary students through Apex Learning Systems and are offering additional web-based courses such as Rosetta Stone through school licensures. To best support high school students in the home study program, and to meet federal requirements, Virtual Learning instructors support the home-based, independent study students in the areas of mathematics, English, history, and science through phone and electronic contact.