New primary school opens in the city
A new primary school has opened its doors in Belize City. Horizon Academy is a private institution that is located at mile three and a half on the Northern Highway. The first day of class began this morning with sixty five students. News Five visited the academy to find out what the institution has to offer.
Jose Sanchez reporting
With the demands of a growing population, a new educational facility has emerged today to help shape the minds of the next generation. Horizon Academy’s principal, Dian Maheia, says that every care has been made to make the very first school year a success.
Dian Maheia, Principal, New Horizon
“We are student centered, we are holistic, we are inclusive and we are progressive—those are our four founding principles. They are the things that we realize; those are your things that started us off—the things we wanted to see. And as we began to put everything in place in the creation of this school, we realized that those were the things that we were staying true to, the core of our very existence. These rooms, all these class rooms, are students-centered; the student is the most important person here. These classes are small, our class size range from 7 to 11.”
The school has several investors, but it is the brainchild of the director, Edward Osborne.
Edward Osborne, Director, Horizon Academy
“I asked my wife a year ago about October 2008, if I start a new school here would you support me a hundred percent and so we did it. I held a meeting at the University of West Indies with about thirteen parents and educators; put the idea to them of doing it and they all got onboard. And it’s been a struggle since then, but that’s where this all started. I am an educator by training as well, so the vision itself was built from my experience—systems and methodology in the classroom that I used successfully in America.”
The excitement of a new beginning was evident, but no one was more thrilled than the students themselves.
Jahson Phillips, Standard IV, New Horizon
“Very exciting.”
Jose Sanchez
“What are you expecting to happen in this new school year?”
Jahson Phillips
“A lot of stuff.”
Jose Sanchez
“What do you like about your new school?”
Jahson Phillips
“All the students.”
Myah Nunez, Standard V, New Horizon
“I’m looking forward to seeing new things and to experience more wonderful things and to have a great time and to learn more.”
Osean Hyde, Standard IV, Hew Horizon
“It’s nice, very nice and very cool.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you excited?”
Osean Hyde
“Yes.”
Sixty five students are enrolled in the 2009-2010 school year. And 65 balloons were released with the rising hopes of those students to commemorate the first day. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
The Director says that their fees aren’t as expensive as other private institutions. Registration is seventy five dollars and tuition is only two hundred dollars a month.
