Where is the Horizons program?
Horizons for kindergarten through 5th grade is housed at Charles H. Parker Academic Center, while sixth through eighth grade is housed at Randolph IB Middle School. Students in grades 9-12 are guaranteed a seat in the IB Programme at East Mecklenburg High School.

How many students are in Horizons?
The numbers fluctuate each year based on the applicant pool. For the school year 2022 - 2023, we have approximately 51 students in the elementary program, 51 students in the middle school program and 10 students at East Mecklenburg High School in the IB Programme, for a total of 112 students K-12.

Will my child receive transportation if accepted into the Horizons program?
Yes. Students will have access to bus transportation. Please keep in mind that, depending on where you live, the bus ride can be lengthy to get to and from the school where the Horizons program is housed. Students in the middle school program will have shuttle bus stops. Please contact CMS Transportation (980-343-6715) for more information about your particular situation. Please note that you must reside in the CMS school district to attend Horizons.

How do I know if Horizons is suitable for my child?
The Horizons program was designed to meet the needs of highly gifted students whose academic needs cannot be met in the regular gifted Talent Development (TD) program for Reading and Math. Please contact your school's Talent Development teacher or Academic Facilitator for guidance. Students applying for Horizons should have data from their current school showing they are performing in the 98th-99th percentile in both math and literacy. 

What tests are required for entrance? Can you substitute other tests?
We require the Stanford-Binet-V or CogAT (aptitude test) and the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement 3 (KTEA-3) (achievement test). Based on the current process, other tests cannot be substituted for these tests, and tests must be provided internally, not by an outside psychologist. Tests should be less than 24 months old for the scores to be valid. Please note that no single test may be taken more than once within 12 months.

Do I have to pay for testing?
No, there is no cost to apply for the program.

How are classes designed?
Students in the Horizons program in elementary and middle school are in self-contained classes. This means that the students are taught the core subject areas (language arts, math, writing, social studies, and science) by the Horizons teachers in a class with only other Horizons students. In addition, students will attend special area classes and recess (elementary), electives (middle school) and lunch (elementary & middle) with same-age peers. Should the student decide to continue to East Mecklenburg High School in the IB Programme, there will be opportunities to take advanced courses. High school students will attend their electives and core classes with other same-age peers. The ability to take advanced coursework is available at all high schools. This is coordinated by the assigned high school counselor.

How do I apply?
The first step is to speak to the TD teacher at your child's current school or the Academic Facilitator if your child is in middle school. Ask them if they notice that your child is exceptionally higher than other gifted students they serve. TD teachers know what characteristics to look for in highly and exceptionally gifted students, as they are certified in gifted education. Then, if you both agree that your child may be a candidate for Horizons, complete the Horizons application form found online and submit it to the TD teacher or Academic Facilitator at your school.

What happens after you submit the application to the TD teacher?
Information regarding the Horizons Application Process can be found here (opens in a new tab).

Can I re-apply if my child does not make it into the program the first time we apply?
Yes, but only after 24 months have passed from the date of your initial application. The child will have to be re-tested upon the new application, as their previous test scores will have expired. Please note that a student cannot re-apply after 8th grade. There are no exceptions. 

I am applying to a magnet school in CMS. Can I also apply to Horizons?
Yes. Horizons is not part of the magnet school programs. It operates as its own separate distinct program. Students are admitted to Horizons based on their qualifications, not through a lottery system. Therefore, application to Horizons will not impact your application to a magnet school and vice versa.

Can my child apply if they have skipped a grade?
Yes. In Horizons, students are placed with their same-age peers, even if they have skipped a grade.

Can I withdraw my application once I begin the process?
Yes, however, you must withdraw your application before any testing (KTEA-3 and/or SB-V) has begun, or the 24-month wait period for re-applying stands.