Horizon Middle School

In the past this school was really in the bottom list. In the beginning of school year I see that they were so many understanding between students and staff. And as a parent my husband and I got involve. I see that a lot of parents don t get involve here. I can see how many students that don t have discipline here (which is really start from home). Now and then, I have been visiting, meeting the teacher's and ask for my kid s progress. Substitute teachers are not great in-fact they are horrible with kids and hoping someday I get a chance to observe this subs. Teachers are wonderful, willing to assist and help the kids succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

Horizon is a good school. The teachers are very supportive and have good methods. The principal and vice principal are amazing. This school definitely deserves 4 stars.

This school has been a great experience for me AND my child. The staff is all very approachable - from administrators, to teacher, to lunch ladies! I was worried about my child getting lost in such a big school but they do a great job of keeping the 6th graders "looked after" and really do know all the kids by name. It feels like a small school in a big setting. The teachers are engaging, ad administration is supportive. What a great middle school experience! :)
—Submitted by a parent

I am very impressed with this school.I'm only in 7th grade, but so far it has been a GREAT learning experience. I am a current AVID student and we demonstrate our school.We are proud of who we are.The teachers are great!!!!!

Horizon has excelled over the last few years and the leadership has really taken charge. I would encourage parents to throw away their school of choice forms. The kids from the elementary feeder schools are bright and ready to learn. This school has been an VERY positive experience for my son and daughter. Horizon is a hidden gem that does not get the credit it deserves. So glad we didn't transfer them to the "other" middle school in the area!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending HCMS for the last two years and he has done very well. I believe the importance of education and acceptable social behavior starts at home. We parents must encourge our children not just once in awhile but everyday that school is their job and it's in their best interest to excel and appreciate their accomplishments. With that being said even the worst school in the city can have some GREAT students. Yes it helps with the principal and teachers are more professional and encouraging with those the deal with on a daily basis but need to remember that are ALOT of children in one school now days. Parents really have to be the number one support group for the kids. Praise them daily for their good work and encourage them when they don't do well, help them and they will have success no matter where they go to school!! Horizon has and does try very hard to provide quality teaching and award these tweens with trips and ceremonies-yes there are other middle schools in the area that are newer and have more money to spend but overall it will work if you have faith in your child and keep an eye on who they are becoming and if your lucky they will be just like you!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is absolutely horrible. If you have any ability of taking your child to another school - do it! There is bullying going on daily and there is nothing done about it even when reported. The superintendent will be of no help so don't try going to her either. You might find one or two good teachers, but that's about all you will find at Horizon. Try home schooling if you can.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 6th grade, and transferred into Horizon M.S. from Mrachek. I have been very disappointed! When your child attends an Aurora Public School, all you hear is how great the Cherry Creek School District is, and you should try to get your child into one of their schools. My child was getting better grades at Mrachek, and this is the school that people love to hate! I find that very ironic....The teachers are VERY slow in returning calls or emails, and the counselor shows little motivation in researching avenues that could help a child in school. I regret my decision to send my son to Horizon. They do not deal well with children who have learning disabilities, and need extra help with their studies.
—Submitted by a parent

This is not good place for learning. The teachers seems to be just counting their days to get out. There is many fights. There is a great lack of communication between parent and teacher. I would not send my other kids to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I have to admit that I was nervous when my son started here in the fall but at the end of this year I was very happy with the education he has recieved so far! He is active in a lot of the extra activities offered, as well as band and the AVID program. He has also managed to mantain a 3.86 gpa and a 4.0 for the 4th quater!! I liked all the teachers and his honors language arts teacher Mr. Goyea was awesome!!
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in ELA class program. frist year at Horizon. This school is not a good school for kids that have some kind of trouble on reading and math the teacher are no help at all and my child has to pay the price for teacher that don't take the time to really help kids that what to learn the right way. I called the 6th grade counselor and teacher's that may child has problems with and no asnwers and I had to call the front office to try to get answers. I am trying to get my child transfer to a different school for next school year. I think that some the teacher's don't really care about the student and that is not a very nice way for parent to send they kids to school. I believe in school education that is what I believe in.
—Submitted by a parent

My Child is in the Edge program. This is his first year at Horizon (6th grader) and although he has done well in classes (A's & B's) I am still concerned with the quality of leadership. I have made several phone calls over the year to his Dean, counselor and or teacher's and the response time is not as quick as I would like and I believe that there should be more parent/student activities as well as parent involvement in the class rooms and class trips.
—Submitted by a parent

i curently go to hcms it is so much fun. lots of fights.but the techers are so cool.they have forensic science withe mr.Coperstien and the best techer in team 7-3 and 6-3 ever.
—Submitted by a student

There is an extreme lack of educational fundamentals and motivation derived from the school staff. The focus is established as a prison for discipline versus positive & creative measures to engage the students to learn. I requested homework for my nephew who was expelled and it was only a week later when I escalated, that there was any response. Had I not stepped in, he would have been disciplined, with no requirements to meet educational goals. If a student requires correction, enforce education as a means to meet objectives, dont just expel... hello?? that sends the wrong message.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff and teachers at Horizon middle school are great. this school make leaning fun for kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Over crowded, lots of fights in the halls, unsafe!
—Submitted by a parent

When I attended this middle school, Its not a place where I liked to learn. The teachers were not encouraging, just discipline being shoved down our throats. I transferred from Horizon my 6th grade year to Falcon Creek and my grades and my attendance in school spiked, but once I was sent back to Horizon for my 8th grade year, I didn't have an interest in learning anymore and quit showing up on a regular basis because I knew I wouldn't be missing anything in class and I'm still taking advance classes in high school, and the classes I took through 8th grade there was irritating because I knew what they teaching me. Don't send our children here unless they have a good head on their shoulders because if they don't they will end up getting in trouble. The students have no respect for the teachers and the principal is very selfish and doesn't stick to her words and pretty much flakes out on the school.
—Submitted by a student

The school is very diverse, which is great. For parent interaction, the teachers depend too much on PowerSchool (which they don't update regularly enough) and official parent teacher conferences. There is zero actual communication that is not parent-initiated so there will be no warning if your child is struggling. They don't actually bother to investigate discliplinary issues. They don't deal well with learning disabilities. Some of the teachers are disorganized and scatterbrained (even one AVID teacher) which makes it impossible to actually monitor your kid's progress before it is too late. If you want any attention at all as a parent, make sure you contact them because they won't contact you. It is too bad because this school has tremendous potential with the great diversity in its students.
—Submitted by a parent

My child will be in the 8th grade EDGE program next year. The school is run down. The restrooms are nasty. There is no pride or respect at the school and the lack of supervision is apparent. The people they have for security look like they need supervision. My child's program is suppose to be a high level curriculum for gifted and talent children. The teacher are suppose to be trained on their needs and how they learn. Not!There are so many kids in the class. They don't even have enough desks. When I speak with the teachers they all tell me the same thing. There are so many kids it's hard to get through everything. Meaning lots of unexplained homework. I don't get responses back from my emails.After speaking with other parents and my own experience don't bother with the counselor she doesn't call any back and is no help!
—Submitted by a parent

The schools principal is very encouraging. But she doesnt stick to her word. And shes not very good at discipline.
—Submitted by a student