This summer, Horizons at Maret hosted 115 students under the experienced leadership of Site Director Marta del Cid ’11. Eight Maret students, five alumni, and two faculty members worked with students in classrooms on campus and at the pool. Two more current students worked at Horizons’ other area sites, St. Patrick’s and Norwood.

Horizons is the only program of its kind in the DC area, offering summer academic enrichment and year-round support for students from kindergarten to ninth grade at no cost to families. It acts as a catalyst to reverse educational inequities for students who are historically furthest from opportunity.

Last year, 70% of Horizons students made significant gains or were at grade level in math or reading skills by the end of the summer. Gains included 7.4 months in reading and 8 months in math. The profound impact of Horizons continues into the school year. According to the most recently available data, Horizons students were chronically absent only 16% of the school year (vs. 43% in DCPS and 19% in high-income communities across the country).

At their Reach for the Stars Gala on October 4, Horizons will honor Maret parent Archie Smart and the Smart Family Fund (led by Archie, Jesse Safir ’02, and Roland Smart ’93) with the Marjo Talbott Award for their instrumental support of the organization.

Horizons Greater Washington’s first site was launched in 2000 as a partnership between Maret School and H.D. Cooke Elementary and served 19 first graders. Today, Horizons operates its Summer Academy at three sites in the DC area — Maret, Norwood, and St. Patrick’s Episcopal School — each of which welcomes more than 100 students each year. Horizons also runs a Saturday Academy, which offers support to families throughout the year at Bancroft Elementary School.