First Licensed Child Care Center in Fairfax County, VA
Higher Horizons participates in first performing arts education program at Wolf Trap. From the beginnings in 1981 as an innovative arts education program of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts inspired by their alliance with Head Start, the Institute has grown into an international partner in the early childhood education community. Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts prepares our youngest children for a lifetime of learning by empowering teachers to use active, arts-integrated learning strategies in the early childhood classroom. The professional development offerings align with curriculum standards and best practices for early childhood educators and administrators, childcare providers, and special education and ESL/ELL specialist.
Higher Horizons receives “Agency of the Year” from the Capital Area Food Bank. The agency was recognized for our work on behalf of the hungry.
Higher Horizons classroom visits the White House. Families and staff gathered in the East Room of the White House with former President Clinton as he signed bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Head Start program. That day ushered in an important new era for Head Start, which began as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs, renewing a commitment to quality early education and launching a bold new initiative to reach infants, toddlers and their families.
Higher Horizons Head Start on Capitol Hill! – Higher Horizons collaborated with the National Head Start Association to offer a true educational experience to our nation’s decision makers by replicating a Head Start classroom. The classroom was fully operational and Higher Horizons children and staff gathered for the event designed to bring a local Head Start classroom to
Capitol Hill . This event gave members of Congress, the Senate, and staffers a hands-on look at America’s most celebrated antipoverty program at work and to strengthen their support of the program. Visitors included: Helen Taylor, Director of the Office of Head Start, Senator Edward Kennedy, Representative John Lewis, Representative Maxine Waters, and Representative Steny Hoyer.
First Parent Institute “Setting the Stage for Success” a partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, Greater Mount Vernon Community Head Start to train parents to become educators. Since 2008 more than 200 parents have been trained… Higher Horizons Class and Teacher Visited the White House under the leadership of former President Bill Clinton.