Educational Attainment

Students work in small groups with trained tutors on a plan built for each child’s current level. Working from an evidence-based model of high-impact tutoring, children have access to 90 minutes per week with consistent volunteer tutors and certified educators. Tutoring continues through the summer, when children without access to summer learning can lose up to three months of reading and math. This consistent, individualized instruction closes gaps before they widen, and over 95% of Horton’s Kids participants maintained or grew in literacy and math last summer.

STEAM programming integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through coding, robotics, design challenges, and creative projects. These experiences strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills while exposing students to career pathways. We also offer creative youth development opportunities like music production, theater, cooking, dance, and visual arts that foster self-expression, leadership, confidence, communication skills, and civic engagement.

Horton’s Kids works closely with nearly 40 partner schools that our participants attend. Staff build relationships with teachers, counselors, and administrators, and exchange report cards, behavioral progress, and attendance data so that in-school and out-of-school learning stay aligned. When concerns come up, we work with caregivers to raise and resolve them with school staff. Special education advocacy and support are given by full-time staff and parent partners. When school staff, caregivers, and our team work from the same information, students get support faster and families have an advocate in rooms where decisions about their child are made.

Students build skills in managing emotions, resolving conflict, and self-advocacy. Skill-building is embedded throughout our year-round program model and reinforced through ongoing communication with caregivers and schools. Our social work staff and interns facilitate small group sessions, and 1:1 mentors give youth one consistent adult to turn to through transitions like moving to high school or changing schools. These skills show up in how students handle setbacks at school, work through conflict with peers, and ask for what they need from the adults around them.

Alumni support, including the Brenda Chamberlain Scholarship established by HK’s former Executive Director, provides additional resources to program alumni pursuing higher education and career pathways. Whether it be books, a train ride home, or a fee for a certification exam, alumni continue to receive Horton’s Kids support through their college or career launch. Small gaps derail big plans. Staying connected means a student’s path is not decided by a bill they cannot cover that month.

Our College and Career Readiness program supports youth ages 13 to 21, keeping students on track for high school graduation while preparing for college, trade school, military service, or employment. Post-secondary plans are established by junior year, tailored to each student’s strengths and interests. Students take part in college tours, career speakers, job fairs, and paid summer internships that provide hands-on experience, income, and workplace readiness, with career exposure through partners such as The Fairmont Hotel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, City Kids Wilderness Project, Project CREATE, and Flagstar Football. Over the past five years, over 95% of Horton’s Kids seniors have graduated on time with clear post-secondary plans.