Our Vision

Educational Philosophy

  • Bringing Life to Learning. Like any quality school, we endeavor to bring learning to life. This is done in part by hiring teachers who are innovative, creative and themselves life-long learners.  But at Horizon we purpose to do more than bring learning to life but to bring LIFE to learning.  LIFE is brought to learning when teachers pour their passionate hearts and committed lives into the academic content.  LIFE is brought to learning when knowledge is set on fire by the presence and Word of God.  LIFE is brought to learning when truth is not only taught but is lived.  And LIFE is ultimately brought to learning by the person of Jesus Christ begin embraced, experienced and pursued.
  • The Heart of Learning.  Horizon Christian Schools purposes to bring students "fully alive."  This involves the whole of the student represented by Heart, Head and Hands.  When the heart is ignited, the mind educated and the hands engaged then students are ready to embrace and experience the purposes Jesus has called them to. What makes Horizon unique is that we intentionally lead with Heart.  While we offer excellence in academics and significant opportunities to serve, we seek first to ignite the hearts of students.  While we have quality staff that is qualified to teach we make it a priority to hire staff that is ready to pour their hearts into students.  And while we intentionally teach about Christ we ultimately desire to see the heart of Christ formed in students.
  • Comprehensive Education.  HCS’s philosophy of education goes beyond the classroom. We believe a comprehensive education includes:  Academics - Quality instruction in the core competencies; Spiritual Formation - Inspiring and equipping students to be like Jesus; The Arts - Giving opportunity to express the glory and gifting of God; Athletics - Developing champions both on and off the court/field; Community - Intentionally cultivating healthy relationships; Service - Being the hands and feet of Christ to our world; and Purpose - Embracing and pursing the unique calling of God.
  • "Kid-centric" Education. At HCS we believe that every student is uniquely gifted, called by God and can achieve!  Our instruction will intentionally seek to help students discover, embrace and develop their God given gifts and purpose, and will intentionally focus on the individual needs of students.
  • Evidence Based Learning.  We will utilize systems that will help us to observe and gather data of students learning.  Adjustments to curriculum and instructional strategies will be employed based on the evidence collected.  We will count our "Wins" as a school system when we find "Evidence of Significant Achievement."
  • The New 3 R's of Eduction.  The classic pursuit of education has involved Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic.  In order to be effective in the current culture there are 3 "new" R's that must be employed:  Relationships - It has been said that students "Don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  Thus, the first responsibility of educators must be to connect with, understand and genuinely love their students; Relevance -How does the educational concept apply to everyday life and current culture?  Why is knowing this material important?  Are instructors in tune with the culture and able to engage students through innovative instructional strategies?  Rigor - Students need to be pushed in order to achieve their potential.  The appropriate amount of rigor must be employed and expected in all areas of educational pursuit. 

Interdenominational

The vision of HCS is to develop a great school system for the glory of God and as a ministry to the greater Portland metro area Christian community.  

Whoever Will May Come

HCS is not just open to Christians but to every student who feels called here and is willing to abide by the code of conduct, realizing that Jesus and the Bible will be intentionally and boldly taught a all levels.

Changed Lives

We believe that the power, purpose, presence and people of God will change lives. We will use every opportunity to declare the Good News of Jesus and the life-changing value of the Word of God.

Developing Greatness

We believe in students and believe that God's purposes are not only clear but compelling. We have high expectations of students and seek to fully develop and unleash their potential in full expectation that God has in mind greatness!