# Education & Schools — Horizon Academy (Learning Disabilities School)

[Horizon Academy](https://horizon-academy.org/) empowers students diagnosed with specific learning disabilities to become effective learners and confident self-advocates. — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- [Vicki Asher bio](https://horizon-academy.org/staff/vicki-asher/)

**Overview:**

- **Mission:** Empowers students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities to become effective learners and confident self-advocates. — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Vision:** Be the premier educational center for students with dyslexia and related conditions and serve as a training resource for the community. — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Founded:** 1999 by parents dissatisfied with traditional schools' handling of learning disabilities. — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Campus:** Roeland Park, KS (since 2001) — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Type:** Independent, non-profit 501(c)(3), receives no state funding — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Accredited by:** ISACS, AdvancED, Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA). Member of NAIS. — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

**Student Profile & Diagnoses:**

- Primary: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia; ADHD may be considered — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Autism alone is NOT a sufficient learning disability to qualify for admittance** — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Students have average/above-average cognitive ability with challenges in: reading, spelling, written/oral expression, math skills, handwriting, executive function, social skills — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

**Instructional Approach:**

- Methods: Orton-Gillingham, Multi-Sensory Math, Writing Revolution — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Class size: 12 students; intervention groups: 1-6 — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Each student has an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Support team includes SLPs, OTs, psychologists, counselors, interventionists — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- **Transition model** with average stay ~3 years — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Ticket system rewards closing learning gaps and self-advocacy — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

**Programs & Services:**

- School year: Grades K-9 — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Tutoring: Grades 1-12 — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Summer program: Additional June session — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Learning Center (since 2016): Diagnostic testing and 1:1 tutoring — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Community outreach: Parent education, teacher training in OGA methods — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

**Enrollment & Demographics (2024-25):**

- 121 students; ~$30K tuition; 35% on financial aid — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- ~50 faculty/staff — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- 57% male, 43% female — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- 45 zip codes represented — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Southern Johnson County: 30.8%, Midtown/Brookside/North of River: 20.5%, Shawnee/Lenexa/Bonner Springs: 14.9% — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

**Misc:**

- They do not allow RBTs to push in (interferes with pod-based learning approach) — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- There is not a parent training on the Orton-Gillingham program — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

- Over 600 students served successfully; many return to traditional schools — *[Vicki Asher, May 2025](/sessions/20250518_Vicki_Asher_Horizon_Academy/notes.md)*

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