The arts and crafts projects the kids were doing Monday afternoon is a way to educate them about oceanography, said Villarin. The program features classes in math, reading, writing and ESL, and incorporates calisthenics by use of the full gym and playground at the rear of the center.
“We are not a traditional school, but we do incorporate a learning curriculum in our after-school program,” said Villarin.
The center also houses a structured preschool program where students learn the basics, such as letters, numbers, shapes and colors based on the standards of the Glendale Unified School District.
“I like to do arts and crafts, and I like to read and play,” said student Daniella Mas, 5.
Lesson plans are incorporated each week in the preschool where the students work on a different subject.
“I like playing with my friends and playing basketball,” said Christian Geyvandov, 10, of Glendale.
New Horizons is not a summer school, Villarin said. Students are presented with workshops, workbooks and worksheets appropriate to their grade level and age. Students participate in 30- to 45-minute writing labs, and different worksheets are given out, for example, with math problems. If they need help with any of the material, teachers are available to assist.
The center also features a modern computer lab, where students are taught how to use a computer and conduct research online for a homework assignment.
“It’s more like a brush up, so that they don’t forget what they learned,” Villarin said. “Going into September and school, they have a sort of a refresher in their mind so that they don’t go the entire summer without reading 20 minutes daily, without writing a paragraph about what they read, or what they did over the weekend.”
New Horizons staff also sign off on homework, offer tutoring and mentoring for the kids and provides classes on parenting and literacy with an emphasis on how to read to children and be involved academically.
