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 successfully 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.
2025-26 Enrollment: 370 K-8 students
Small Class Sizes: Average Student/Teacher ratio is 11 to 1
Instructional Approach: Self-Directed Learning
Horizons maintains an additional website, managed and operated by the Horizons Community Group (parent volunteers).
To take a look at all of our community-building and fundraising events and to see what is on the Horizon, click here.
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.
Horizons K8 Nondiscrimination Policy
Please use this link to Report Bullying Concerns
School Calendar
District News
![BVSD Staff Profile: BVSD alum, Tim Chavez offers an exceptional PE experience for students at Emerald Elementary]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770915058/bvsdorg/zpywsexftazgzebj0yxd/Chavez_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770915058/bvsdorg/zpywsexftazgzebj0yxd/Chavez_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770915058/bvsdorg/zpywsexftazgzebj0yxd/Chavez_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770915058/bvsdorg/zpywsexftazgzebj0yxd/Chavez_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770915058/bvsdorg/zpywsexftazgzebj0yxd/Chavez_1.jpg","width":1279}])
A Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) K-12 alum, turned Platt night custodian and full time student became Emerald Elementary’s award-winning, innovative Physical Education teacher who is beloved by students, staff and the Broomfield community.
![Our promise as we begin this difficult journey]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741983816/bvsdorg/xgxbxzniexfjflupbx8a/BVSDHorizLogo-English.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741983816/bvsdorg/xgxbxzniexfjflupbx8a/BVSDHorizLogo-English.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741983816/bvsdorg/xgxbxzniexfjflupbx8a/BVSDHorizLogo-English.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741983816/bvsdorg/xgxbxzniexfjflupbx8a/BVSDHorizLogo-English.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741983816/bvsdorg/xgxbxzniexfjflupbx8a/BVSDHorizLogo-English.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1741983816/bvsdorg/xgxbxzniexfjflupbx8a/BVSDHorizLogo-English.png","width":2200}])
We are entering a challenging but important period of planning for the future of the Boulder Valley School District, which includes consolidation, closure, or programmatic changes at the elementary level. We want to begin by sharing our commitment to you and to our community.
![Leadership Profile, Chris Brecht: ‘Humble Leadership’ at the center of strategic plan implementation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770664016/bvsdorg/qg9mpnjlyi7jvffymypa/ChrisBrecht.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770664016/bvsdorg/qg9mpnjlyi7jvffymypa/ChrisBrecht.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770664016/bvsdorg/qg9mpnjlyi7jvffymypa/ChrisBrecht.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770664016/bvsdorg/qg9mpnjlyi7jvffymypa/ChrisBrecht.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770664016/bvsdorg/qg9mpnjlyi7jvffymypa/ChrisBrecht.png","width":1536}])
Leadership Profile, Chris Brecht: ‘Humble Leadership’ at the center of strategic plan implementation
While it is true that often other strategic plans or educational trends have come and gone, the fact that the focus on this strategic plan is based on foundational best practices that produce significant outcomes for students makes it easier for educators to implement the practices now and into the future. Chris Brecht’s role as the Director of Strategic Initiatives now is to continue to push the institution forward.
![BVSD announces timeline for engagement and action in light of continued declining enrollment]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767390522/bvsdorg/zopukse4hqu7hensylko/BVSDFlag.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767390522/bvsdorg/zopukse4hqu7hensylko/BVSDFlag.jpg","width":460}])
In light of accelerating enrollment decline and the associated reduction of funding, the Board of Education says more substantial action is needed to allow BVSD to use resources more efficiently and maintain the high-quality learning experiences students currently receive.
![Planned national protest impacting BVSD school operations tomorrow]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742069697/bvsdorg/b1ansli7rzrm6vqtgpce/1440x736_BVSD-Logo-White-Background_Dark-Blue-Logo-cropped.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742069697/bvsdorg/b1ansli7rzrm6vqtgpce/1440x736_BVSD-Logo-White-Background_Dark-Blue-Logo-cropped.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1742069697/bvsdorg/b1ansli7rzrm6vqtgpce/1440x736_BVSD-Logo-White-Background_Dark-Blue-Logo-cropped.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742069697/bvsdorg/b1ansli7rzrm6vqtgpce/1440x736_BVSD-Logo-White-Background_Dark-Blue-Logo-cropped.png","width":981}]){kind=logo}
The Boulder Valley School District is expecting a staffing shortage tomorrow, related to the planned National Shutdown protest. Organizers are encouraging people to refrain from going to work, school or shopping.