Horizons Exploratory Academy

Salida Schools - The Education Community

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year!
We are so excited that you have chosen Horizons Exploratory Academy for your student and we cannot wait to see them in person!  My name is Kristie Servis and I am the Principal at HEA.  The staff and I are looking forward to getting the school year up & running!
I’d like to point out some important dates for you to calendar:
Monday, 8/21:  ALL students should be on campus at 8am.  We are having a whole school meeting & students will sign up for classes.
Monday, 8/21:  NEW students will be dismissed at 2pm.  Please make note & make sure your student knows where they are to go when they are dismissed.  RETURNING students will be having a BBQ with staff on Monday from 2-4pm.
Tuesday, 8/22:  We will be doing a WHOLE SCHOOL hike at Greys Creek.  It is quite an easy/leisurely hike, but it's a chance for new & returning students to bond.  
After these 2 days, we will be 100% on a "normal" schedule with ALL students back in classes.
Monday, September 4th - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
As a District, lots of our registration paperwork is now electronic, which we hope you find to be easier to complete.  Please note, if you don’t have computer or internet access, our school will be open on Friday, August 11th from 8am to 12pm.  Alysha Rushing and some additional staff will be there should you need any help filling out your registration.   Also, I want to make sure the schedule is crystal clear.  NEW HEA students must come to school beginning on Monday, August 14th.  THIS is the Disorientation schedule for the first week of school.  Attendance for the first 3 weeks for all new students is mandatory to keep their seat at HEA.   Any student who is RETURNING to HEA will start school on Monday, August 21st.  They are expected to be there at 8am as we will have a whole school meeting to start the day/week.  Please note this delayed start for the returning students is different from the District.  We have changed this to ensure we are as efficient as possible with both new and returning students in the time they are at school.   FILL-OUT ONLINE: HERE is the link for the District registration through the Revver program.  Please fill out all forms you find in that link. Infinite Campus Parent Portal Tasks:
If you don’t know how to get into IC (Infinite Campus), select this link. Complete Annual Update – once per family  How-To Instructions Complete Free and Reduced Meal Application – once per family  How-To Instructions.  ALL FAMILIES should fill this out as it gets us access to funding. Complete Annual Health Forms – for each student: Annual Health Appraisal form Consent for Stock Medications form PRINT AND FILL OR GET COPIES ON REGISTRATION DAY: Handbook & Receipt Bus Rules & Regulations (for trips) Assigned Laptop Form For your Reference District Calendar - We follow the District calendar when it comes to breaks, etc. 
Finally, to start the school year, I want to make sure that I’m clear about how we are communicating with you.  Communication is essential, and so I wanted to be transparent about how we will be communicating:
First, I have to mention that a LOT of our communication comes through our students.  Why?  We believe that students need to take on the responsibility of communication to parents/guardians so they are more set up for the future.  We have an organization class during Disorientation to help them decide what tools to use to stay organized & to keep their schedules and information clear.  With that said, though, please don’t ever hesitate to reach out directly to any of the staff named below if you are feeling your student is not communicating well or you need more information/clarity. Weekly Office Hours with the Principal:  On an appointment basis, if you need to come and speak with me, I will have weekly office hours where I am available to you for longer conversations.  But I’m always available via email ([email protected]) and phone (719-207-1401) should you need to talk. Email Communication:  Below are the emails of all of the staff here at Horizons Exploratory Academy.  Please feel free to email us anytime, but please give us at least 24 hours to respond.
Phone Communication:  Phone numbers of all the staff at Horizons Exploratory Academy were emailed home with a copy of this letter.  Please feel free to call us between the hours of 7am-4:30pm.  If you call us after 4:30pm, we will return your call as soon as possible the next day - thank you for understanding and respecting that we are spending time with our families.
Kristie Servis Principal [email protected]
Emily Lamont ELA/Social Studies Teacher [email protected]
Sue Ceglowski Math Teacher [email protected]
Jeff Krieves Science Teacher [email protected]
Alysha Rushing Counselor [email protected]
If you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. Much Respect,
Kristie Servis Principal - Horizons Exploratory Academy & The Crest Academy [email protected]           719.207.1401

We believe alternative education is an educational option that honors individualized paths to success through a personalized, rigorous curriculum designed around the needs, aspirations and creativity of every student.
How we get there
Not everyone fits into a traditional school, as individual needs can vary greatly among students. Horizons Exploratory Academy (HEA),  Salida’s Alternative High School for students grades 9-12, aims to help kids who might benefit from a different educational option. At HEA, all students develop an individualized learning plan catering to their personal goals and aspirations. For a student in credit recovery, this might include remedial classes or doubling up on credits. For a high achieving student, this might mean jumping into independent study projects that include real world experience or college classes.  Each student is given an advisor who works with them throughout their entire time at HEA.  The advisor supports each student, collaboratively sets up a clear plan for graduation, and ensures parents/guardians are continually updated on the student’s progress.  
HEA has a diversified academic curriculum that ensures students are graduation-ready.  Because college is not for everyone, HEA supports each student in achieving their post-graduation dreams - be it college, trade school, or jumping into the workforce.  At HEA, we believe it is our job to ensure that our graduation requirements encourage students to explore a life full of opportunity and choices.  During their time at HEA, students participate in real-life experiences that include but are not limited to: job shadowing, internships, personal finance study, arts exploration, and outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing and skiing that push their personal limits.
Is HEA easier than SHS?  No.  This is a common misconception, as individualized learning plans allow for flexible schedules, and students may not have a traditional school hours from 8-4.  In this type of learning environment, students must be self-directed and motivated to be successful. Students at HEA must still follow all state guidelines, including ICAP and the 28 credit district requirement. Additionally, HEA graduation requirements incorporate service projects, community presentations, leadership and social/emotional growth guidelines. 
At HEA, all are welcomed; we are a small, familial community, so it’s important that we work together and problem-solve as needed along the way.  HEA is beginning to implement restorative justice practices where students hold each other accountable and participate in mediated conversations when conflicts arise.  We are excited to see how our students respond to these practices - we anticipate that students will appreciate the leadership they are being given to find solutions.
Every student is unique, and one education style doesn’t always fit all.  Horizons Exploratory Academy offers a unique approach to learning that is available for interested high students.  If you would like to learn more, give us a call at 719.530.5489 or visit http://salidahorizons.ss13.sharpschool.com
We can't wait to meet you!