In the summer of 2021, Francis Parker School partnered with Horizons National to bring the transformative Horizons program to San Diego, launching Horizons at Francis Parker School. This partnership aligned closely with Parker’s mission and values—particularly its commitment to global perspective, community engagement, and strength of character in action.

From the start, Horizons at Francis Parker School has advanced educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create joyful, enriching learning experiences outside of the traditional school year. The program has also helped to model institutional public purpose at Parker—providing students and faculty with meaningful opportunities to engage with the greater San Diego community, while supporting the school’s strategic priorities to expand summer outreach and increase partnerships that serve historically under-resourced demographics.

In 2025, after four years of successful growth and impact, the Board of Horizons at Francis Parker School approved the creation of Horizons San Diego as an independent 501c3—a regional initiative designed to bring the Horizons model to additional host schools across San Diego County. Horizons at Francis Parker School has transitioned to Horizons San Diego at Francis Parker and continues as the flagship program within the regional network.

Horizons San Diego embraces the same core values that have guided the work at Parker: a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; culturally responsive teaching practices; and long-term student growth. The expansion also creates new professional development opportunities for educators, volunteer pathways for independent school students, and stronger partnerships with public schools and civic organizations.

Together, Horizons San Diego and Francis Parker are reimagining what’s possible when independent schools and local communities work hand-in-hand to close opportunity gaps and empower every child to thrive.