Our Story
Horizons started as a Kindergarten- 6th grade, two-year pilot program in 1991 with 92 students in two portable facilities.
We have continued to grow, becoming a charter school in 1997.
Teacher-led, Horizons has been educating students for over 30 years!
Our Vision
Our vision is to develop a community of reflective learners who advocate for themselves, others, and a just world.
Our Mission
Our mission at Horizons is to guide students to become self-directed learners in a supportive,
collaborative environment rooted in critical thinking, justice, and choice.
2023-24 Enrollment: 363 students
Small Class Sizes: Average Student/Teacher ratio is 11 to 1
Instructional Approach: Self-Directed Learning
4545 Sioux Drive Boulder, Colorado 80303
horizonsk8.office@bvsd.org / 720.561.3600
Proud to be a BVSD school. Learn more and enroll at bvsd.org.
School Calendar
District News
![Emmy Murphy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733432221/bvsdorg/u24seiujhjprqf8ts0h4/L18A26457zz.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733432221/bvsdorg/u24seiujhjprqf8ts0h4/L18A26457zz.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733432221/bvsdorg/u24seiujhjprqf8ts0h4/L18A26457zz.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1733432221/bvsdorg/u24seiujhjprqf8ts0h4/L18A26457zz.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1733432221/bvsdorg/u24seiujhjprqf8ts0h4/L18A26457zz.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1733432221/bvsdorg/u24seiujhjprqf8ts0h4/L18A26457zz.png","width":2200}])
Emerald Murphy is no stranger to challenging the norm, after all, it is something she has done most of her career. For this reason, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the former French teacher, turned groundbreaking high school athletic director, is now taking on a new challenge, leading Community Schools.
![Bright Futures Ahead logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727308683/bvsdorg/tdgf7v3ryfzdt2tb1tbq/Asset3BrightFutureshorizontal.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727308683/bvsdorg/tdgf7v3ryfzdt2tb1tbq/Asset3BrightFutureshorizontal.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727308683/bvsdorg/tdgf7v3ryfzdt2tb1tbq/Asset3BrightFutureshorizontal.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727308683/bvsdorg/tdgf7v3ryfzdt2tb1tbq/Asset3BrightFutureshorizontal.png","width":1200}])
Beginning this choice enrollment period, students of individuals who live outside of BVSD, but who work within the district's boundaries now qualify for our newest enrollment priority.
To qualify for our Bright Futures priority, the parent or guardian needs to be working within BVSD's boundaries at the time of application and on the first day of the school year.
![Cellphone]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733232803/bvsdorg/pegi6nmw4okkltavna4n/shutterstock_2446621625.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733232803/bvsdorg/pegi6nmw4okkltavna4n/shutterstock_2446621625.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733232803/bvsdorg/pegi6nmw4okkltavna4n/shutterstock_2446621625.webp","width":800}])
On Tuesday, November 19, the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education voted 6-1 to update the district’s cell phone policy. Starting in January, high school students will no longer be able to utilize their phones during school hours on campus, including during passing periods and lunch.
![Mural with the text New Vista and mountains]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732299926/bvsdorg/ki6nwm21uwdmjagvfmth/IMG_8178.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732299926/bvsdorg/ki6nwm21uwdmjagvfmth/IMG_8178.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732299926/bvsdorg/ki6nwm21uwdmjagvfmth/IMG_8178.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732299926/bvsdorg/ki6nwm21uwdmjagvfmth/IMG_8178.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1732299926/bvsdorg/ki6nwm21uwdmjagvfmth/IMG_8178.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1732299926/bvsdorg/ki6nwm21uwdmjagvfmth/IMG_8178.jpg","width":2200}])
Constructed in 1953 as Baseline Junior High, the school later transitioned to Baseline Middle School and then New Vista High School. After serving the students of BVSD for 71 years, the building will be demolished in 2025 as a new building for New Vista High School is constructed. Former students, teachers, staff, and families are invited to an open house to share memories and say farewell to the building.
![kid raising hand in class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1705517574/bvsdorg/k0jwlwrxko4taw2lq7zk/kidsraisinghands.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1705517574/bvsdorg/k0jwlwrxko4taw2lq7zk/kidsraisinghands.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1705517574/bvsdorg/k0jwlwrxko4taw2lq7zk/kidsraisinghands.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1705517574/bvsdorg/k0jwlwrxko4taw2lq7zk/kidsraisinghands.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1705517574/bvsdorg/k0jwlwrxko4taw2lq7zk/kidsraisinghands.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1705517574/bvsdorg/k0jwlwrxko4taw2lq7zk/kidsraisinghands.jpg","width":2200}])
In August, we introduced BVSD’s new attendance policy, which aims to encourage students to attend school and engage fully in their learning. This Fall, as BVSD schools implemented the new policy, they increased tracking and reporting around absences. Perhaps the most noticeable change was a new set of letters sent out to families when students are absent for a few days.
