Welcome to New Horizons Academy!
“If a child can not learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
Different Learners. Extraordinary Potential. Endless Possibilities.
Every Child Is Unique. Every Possibility Matters.
Every child deserves an education that recognizes their abilities, understands their challenges, and inspires them to discover what's possible.
At New Horizons Academy, we believe that children shouldn't have to fit into a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Instead, education should be thoughtfully designed around the unique strengths, needs, and learning styles of every student. As part of the Sara's Garden family, we provide a compassionate, comprehensive educational experience for students with special learning and developmental needs, from preschool through 12th grade.
Our approach goes far beyond traditional academics. We recognize that meaningful learning happens when every aspect of a child's development is nurtured together. Throughout the school day, our dedicated educators, therapists, and support professionals work collaboratively to strengthen academic, social, emotional, communication, physical, and cognitive skills—helping students build confidence, develop greater independence, and experience meaningful progress.
We believe in setting high expectations while providing the individualized instruction, appropriate interventions, and encouragement each student needs to work toward their personal goals. By combining challenging academic opportunities with creative teaching strategies and a deep understanding of how each child learns best, we strive to make education both accessible and empowering.
Because we don't believe children should be defined by what they cannot do. We believe they should be inspired by everything they can become.
170+
Students Served
37
School Districts
3
Campus Locations
Serving more than 170 students from 37 school districts across Northwest Ohio, New Horizons Academy is more than a school. We're a community where differences are understood, abilities are celebrated, accomplishments are cherished, and every student is encouraged to soar.
NHA Alma Mater
New Horizons we sing your praises each and every day.
For here we learn that we are colors in a stunning rich array.
With peace and love and hope we dare to proudly, boldly speak.
At NHA we celebrate we’re each remarkably unique.
Where e’er our paths may take us to whatever distant shore.
One voice will rise above them all as we sing ‘Soar Eagles, Soar!’
Intervention Services
New Horizons Academy has a team of highly skilled conductors and intervention specialists delivering focused interventions to its students. Our students receive considerably more minutes of intervention services than they did in their previous public school environment.
Click on a service below for information pertaining to the various intervention services we provide here at New Horizons Academy.
Autism Intervention
Autism Intervention attempts to lessen the deficits and abnormal behaviors associated with Autism and other Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and to increase the quality of life and functional independence of Autistic individuals. Treatment is tailored to meet each child’s specific needs.
Conductive Education
Conductive Education is an intensive and holistic approach to educating children and adults with a variety of neuromotor disabilities. CE combines physical activity with cognitive tasks, emphasizes communication, and places the individual in a group setting which maximizes active learning.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is an allied health profession that focuses on teaching skills for everyday living. The practice of OT can greatly vary according to the setting and clientele. OT can assist to address issues at school, home or work which may be impacting someone’s day to day function.
Sensory Integration
Controlled sensory input has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving concentration, eye-hand coordination and motor function for children and adults, developmental disabilities, autism, chronic pain, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions.
Speech/Language Therapy
Many conditions may cause difficulty with speech and language development. Speech Therapy (also known as Speech-Language Pathology) works to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social and cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders.
Is New Horizons Academy right for my child? Call Us Today!
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential in an environment where they feel valued, supported, and understood. At New Horizons Academy, we recognize that every child is unique, with individual strengths, challenges, and dreams. Our compassionate, dedicated team provides personalized education, specialized support, and a nurturing atmosphere designed to help students with special needs thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and personally. Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision, and we're here to help you every step of the way. Call us today to schedule a visit, meet our incredible team, and discover how New Horizons Academy can help your child soar!
Every Child Deserves a Place to Soar.
Sometimes, students just need the right environment to let it shine. At NHA, we believe every child deserves to be celebrated for who they are, supported through their challenges, and empowered to achieve more than they ever imagined.
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS (% SERVED)
%
Autism
%
Multi-Handicapped
%
ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT
%
DOWN SYNDROME
%
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
%
OTHER
The educational labels listed above are based on the Ohio Department of Education’s Autism and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship special education categories for children identified on an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Why New Horizons Academy?
A WHOLE NEW WAY TO LOOK AT SCHOOL.
At New Horizons Academy, we believe education should be as unique as the children we serve. We see beyond disabilities and challenges to recognize the incredible abilities, strengths, and potential within every student. Our innovative approach combines individualized academics, specialized therapies, hands-on learning, and meaningful life experiences in a nurturing, supportive environment where every child is encouraged to thrive. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all education. Instead, we meet students where they are, celebrate every milestone, and empower them to achieve things they never thought possible. Because at New Horizons Academy, we're not just changing the way children learn. We're changing the way they see themselves, their abilities, and their future.
DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
Instructional approaches are varied and adapted to the individual and diverse students in the classroom. This requires teachers to be flexible in their approach to teaching and adjust the curriculum and presentation of information to learners rather than expecting students to modify themselves for the curriculum.
FOCUSED TEACHING
In a New Horizons Academy classroom, children receive special, carefully structured and focused teaching in order to learn what they could not learn from previous exposure in a typical classroom environment. Our classes are cross-categorical and grouped by developmental and cognitive abilities.
CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION
We have found that consistent communication and parent involvement has been a crucial force in our student’s development, learning, and success at school and in life. This intentional communication helps build on-going, productive, and trusting relationships with the families that we serve.
CARING STAFF
We have an amazing staff that is committed to giving each child the unconditional love and attention needed for a positive learning experience. We provide a safe, nurturing environment that cultivates self-esteem and helps our students achieve developmental, educational and social success.
HIGHLY ADAPTIVE
NHA students enjoy a highly adaptive classroom experience to ensure they are given a positive path towards the achievement of needed academic and developmental skills. Teachers provide students with the necessary tools to achieve success and find the best way to navigate any challenges that may arise.
UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT
New Horizons Academy provides its students with a quiet, secure setting designed to minimize distractions. Our staff makes it a priority to provide students with calming or alerting sensory activities to improve their ability to attend and focus during school-related tasks and interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do we have to live in the school district to enroll?
No, you do not need to live in either the Springfield or Wauseon school districts to enroll in New Horizons Acadmey. You must, however, be a resident of the state of Ohio in order to enroll.
What documentation does my child need in order to attend NHA
Typically all students attending NHA must have a current ETR and IEP with a qualifying diagnosis from their home school district in order to apply for enrollment. However, if you do not have an ETR or IEP but do have a qualifying medical diagnosis of Autism, you may still be able to enroll via an AEP.
How much does it cost to attend New Horizons Academy?
Enrollment costs to attend New Horizons Academy are covered by either the Ohio Autism or JPSN scholarship.
Do you provide transportation/bussing to school?
No, NHA does not provide bussing. However, if your home school district is within 30 minutes of one of our campuses they will provide bussing. You simply need to coordinate that with the transportation director from your home district.
We Are NHA!
EXCEL
INSPIRE
SOAR
At New Horizons Academy, we believe every student has unlimited potential and deserves the opportunity to shine. We empower our students to EXCEL by celebrating their unique abilities, INSPIRE through their courage, determination, and personal achievement, and SOAR beyond any previous expectations toward greater confidence, independence, and success.
Together, we're building brighter futures, one extraordinary student and one incredible milestone at a time.
