Horizon Christian High School in the News

A Hidden Gem

Posted by Valerie MacQuarrie on July 12, 2011 at 11:38 am

Horizon Christian Schools (HCS) was founded in 1980 as a ministry of Grace (now Horizon) Community Church in Tualatin. Since then, HCS has grown from a small preschool of 30 children to an expansive educational program with over 400 students.

Horizon Christian Schools is comprised of two schools situated on two different campuses: Horizon Christian Elementary & Middle School and Horizon Christian High School.

With a Christian teaching environment without denominational distinctions, the schools offer a well-rounded, rigorous curriculum.

While Horizon Christian's elementary and middle school programs are long established, Horizon Christian High School started just five years ago, helmed by well-known local educator and coach George Crace.

In February 2011, Crace shifted his role to that of vice principal, remaining head coach of the football team. Succeeding him as principal was Bill Smethurst, who had served as vice principal at Horizon Christian for the past two years and has 17 years of experience in high school administration.

While Horizon Christian High School is small in size, at 130 students, it is mighty in the key areas of academics, sports and the arts.

With dual credit courses offered in Pre Calculus, Calculus and Statistics through The Portland Community College Dual Credit Program and advanced curriculums in Language Arts, Foreign Language, Physics, Anatomy, Bio Chemistry and Forensics and electives that enhance the learning experience with leadership opportunities, 88 percent of the 2011 graduating class from Horizon Christian are college bound.

The Horizon Hawks sports program dominates its Class 3A league: among the championships it earned this year were a 1st place baseball title, a 2^nd place finish in softball, its second straight Class 3A state boys basketball championship; and playoff berths for its football; girls soccer; girls basketball; softball; and girls and boys track and field teams.

Arts prevail at Horizon as well. For the first time this spring, the drama department presented the school's first full-length production and musical, Fiddler on the Roof, to packed houses and an award-winning choir ensemble performs concerts throughout the year.

"It's a miracle what has happened here in Tualatin in such a short time," says Superintendent Jay Anderson. "Clearly Horizon Christian Schools are an integral part of God's plan for many families here in Tualatin and the surrounding areas."

For more information, visit Horizonchristianschools.org