Horizons at USN celebrates its 12th year

University School of Nashville’s free academic enrichment program was featured in The Tennessean this summer. Horizons includes daily swim lessons and studies in math, reading, science, and writing to reduce summer learning loss among 124 scholars.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

As summer reached its peak in Nashville, so did the energy and excitement inside the classrooms, gym, pool, and playground at University School of Nashville. Now in its 12th year, Horizons at USN, a tuition-free, six-week summer enrichment program, continues to redefine what summer learning can look like for students across the city. With more than 120 scholars from schools across Nashville, this year marked a significant milestone: Horizons celebrated its inaugural class of students who started in first grade and are now entering their final years of high school.

“Every year, I get to see these students grow and change,” said Horizons Program Director and USN Fourth Grade Teacher Kim Avington. “It feels like seeing my own children grow up and enter the real world.”

Launched to combat summer learning loss and funded entirely by grants and donations, Horizons at USN has steadily grown, adding a new grade level each year and supporting more students with its holistic approach to education. That model blends rigorous academics with enrichment opportunities, social-emotional learning, and experiences designed to spark curiosity and build confidence. Each grade had a unique experience this summer, made possible by teachers and aides from Metro Nashville Public Schools and USN, as well as college students.

For rising first graders, this summer brought an extra treat: a visit from Emily Henegar, the young entrepreneur behind Cookie in the Kitchen, who began her business at just 11 years old. Her story ignited imaginations and encouraged the youngest Horizons scholars to dream big and share their ideas boldly.

Rising second graders dove into outer space with a project on the solar system, supported by targeted work in math and literacy. Their studies were brought to life during a visit to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. After studying the solar system, the group decided to design and build a rocket for their final project.

“During our trip to Huntsville, the students got to see real-world examples of what we were learning this summer,” said Horizons teacher Caitlin Smith.”They were so excited to work on their rocketship and show it off.”

Rising third-grade scholars spent their summer exploring Greek mythology. They explored how they contain powerful truths that can teach lessons, help understand the world around them, and how they can become heroes in their stories. They also connected some of the ancient storytelling they learned to the present day by studying “Hero’s Journey.” 

Like their peers in third grade, fourth-grade scholars utilized Greek mythology to focus on strengthening their literacy skills, identifying syllables, and writing complete sentences that incorporated proper capitalization and punctuation. Their lessons concluded with a fun visit to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.

Middle school scholars engaged in a series of enriching activities designed to bridge themes from “A Rover’s Story” with real-world applications. To complement their literary exploration, they visited the Tennessee State University Smart Innovation Center, where scholars participated in hands-on coding and robotics activities using Sphero Robots. This interactive experience allowed them to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a practical context, simulating the engineering and programming challenges faced by scientists in the novel. Additionally, scholars explored the creative side of artificial intelligence by composing music using AI tools.

As students progress through Horizons, their experiences evolve as well.

For the program’s oldest students, Horizons is more than a summer camp. It’s a launchpad.
These scholars not only continue their academic journey with ACT prep and practice tests but also explore career readiness through job skills training. Many spent time this summer working in Horizons classrooms alongside younger students, gaining hands-on experience in mentorship and leadership in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

“A lot of the skills I learn at Horizons, I’m able to use in my everyday life,” said rising senior Syelah Haskins. “Working with different age groups has helped me take care of my siblings and learn patience.”

College readiness was also front and center throughout the summer. Older scholars joined rising ninth and 10th graders on a visit to Western Kentucky University during the latest in a series of college tours that help students define what makes a school the “right fit.”

While students in the Horizons program gain an average of two to three months in reading and math over the summer, the benefits reach far beyond test scores.

Randi Days, USN Middle School Counselor and returning Horizons at USN Counselor, said she has seen firsthand how the program transforms students.

“This summer, we explored emotional awareness using the movie ‘Inside Out,’” Days said. “Students learned how to identify and manage their emotions, practice healthy coping strategies, and they wrapped up by creating personalized calming toolkits.”

Days, who grew up attending public schools in Nashville, said she sees herself in many of her students. “I’ve always had a passion for giving back to the Nashville community and supporting students who are walking a path I once did.”

She emphasized that Horizons provides not only academic support but also a joyful space where students develop friendships, build confidence, and gain exposure to experiences that may otherwise be out of reach.

Horizons’ partnership with USN reflects the school’s mission to be a reflection of Nashville and to engage with the city in meaningful ways.

“Programs like Horizons allow USN to live out its mission,” said Days. “It’s essential that we provide access to educational experiences that many students might not otherwise have.”

Students were able to wrap up the summer with a day of fun that included water slides and “The Last Rodeo,” an end-of-year presentation that welcomed parents and community members into the school to find out what the students learned this summer. 

The last week of camp also included a visit from The Tennessean. During the visit, students shared their experiences at Horizons and gave the outlet a preview of their end-of-year presentations. Read The Tennessean’s article here. 

As Horizons at USN looks ahead to the future, welcoming new first-grade scholars while preparing its inaugural class for life beyond high school, its impact is evident in the students who are returning to school with new skills and newfound confidence. Gifts to support these scholars are welcome throughout the year, and applications for this summer enrichment program open in early 2026. Learn more at usnhorizons.org.
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