Horizon Education Centers sees 40th anniversary

Horizon Education Centers is celebrating 40 years since inception.

The business got its start as Horizon Activities in 1978, as the brainchild of Mary Smith, a suburban mother in North Olmsted who noticed a large number of her children’s friends were “latch-key kids” only supervised by the television, according to a news release on the anniversary.

Smith realized the way these children were being supervised, along with her own frustrations with a lack of arts programming in the city led to her starting the company, the release said.

Now, the mission-driven non-profit is a leader in quality care and education, preparing children and families for life, regardless of income or where they live, the release said.

Horizon is one of the toprated programs care and educational programs in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties and each of the nine facilities are rated high quality in Ohio’s Step Up To Quality rating system, according to the release.

The release said these ratings ensure each child will experience: qualified teachers, proven curriculum, family engagement, developmental screenings and electronic access for parents to their child’s individual learning.

This month, Horizon’s East Lorain Center became the second of their facilities to receive a five star rating under in Ohio’s Step Up To Quality rating system.

Programming is offered at the centers for children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years old and in addition to preschool, offers a “high quality” Kindergarten Readiness curriculum as well as early care and after school educational programs, the release said.

Safety is the centers’ top priority, and parents can have peace of mind when leaving their children at any of their facilities, the release said.

Horizon has also partnered with Lorain County United Way Collaborative, Lorain Community Constellation School, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Pre4Cle, Universal Pre-Kindergarten, PNC Bank and Starting Point in a united effort for children and youth, according to the release.

This year, Horizon broke ground on its 10th facility and their third expansion into the Cleveland Metropolitan School District with the Triskett Station which has an opening date of spring 2019, the release said.