R. Roger Rowe Elementary School

We’ve been incredibly blessed by our experience at Horizon Prep. As a mother of a Pre-K student and a Middle Schooler, I can say that the staff really cares about each student. Our children are not only growing academically, but also growing in faith, character, and executive functioning. The small class sizes allow my kiddos to learn easier and get help where needed. Our school community feels like family. Chapel, Bible study, and daily prayer reinforce a Christ-centered worldview. Middle School sports are great and Horizon Prep offers a wide variety. We’re grateful for a school that truly partners with us in raising our kids.

My son had a wonderful K year here. The small class size allows for truly personalized learning, as well as great social emotional development support. I appreciate that I know he is learning from 2 trained teachers as opposed to parent volunteers public schools often depend on to supplement the 1 classroom teachers. In addition to typical curriculum, the kids have daily specialists including art, music, Spanish, PE, library, gardening and drama. They have monthly field trips and a very active school community with tons of opportunities for parent/family involvement. And there is a big focus as well on social emotional learning. I have not seen any issues with bullying, problems with disruptions in the class, etc. Recently we ran into a few 4th graders that are the K's reading buddy class and the "big kids" were so sweet talking to and playing with my son and his friends. It really epitomizes what we have seen - it is just a great student body and small enough it really feels like a community. I have seen comments about the administration being bad but that hasn't been my experience. I have always gotten responses to any email or call and they do a good job communicating. And I love that the teachers make themselves available for parents to reach out directly. The principal even stands outside every morning greeting all the students by name!

Nativity has been a blessing for our family. The teachers have been excellent. True professionals who have reasonably high expectations, but are also warm and nurturing. The small class sizes allow for differentiated instruction in both math, language arts and science. This has been true since TK/Kindergarten and continues into middle school.The school added a counselor this year, who works with the kids in groups large and small, and I think individually. The social-emotional part of learning is important, and I love that there is this resource for them. They care about the whole child, and the values that are lived out at school.The small class size has also been fantastic for the kids socially. I know every parent really well, and we are a true community. Occasionally, there is a family that has an illness or needs help and the community really comes together. It’s also nice when you drop your kid off at someone’s house, you know what values are lived there.For cons, I will say that I have seen some kids with special needs struggle. For some, it may not be the right environment.For us, it has been exactly what we needed in a school for our kids. It’s a beautiful campus, but so much more.