School teaches kids with different learning styles

David Becker/ViewKarly Moore practices her cello during her music class on Aug. 27 at the New Horizons Academy campus, 6701 W. Charleston Blvd. DAVID BECKER/VIEWSecond-grader Julia King, left, gets extra direction from her reading teacher, Jeannie Epstein, during an Aug. 27 class at the New Horizons Academy. Advertisement

For 34 years, New Horizons Academy has provided children in Las Vegas with learning options. However, not many people know much about the school.

On a walk around the campus just before the 2008-09 academic year began, many parents thought the building hadn't been open that long. In fact, many assumed that New Horizons had been around for only a few years. Kim Johnson, director of development for the school, politely corrected those who made the all-too-common mistake.

"We've been here for 34 years," she said many times.

New Horizons Academy, 6701 W. Charleston Blvd., is the second oldest private school in the state. The classes are geared toward students with different learning styles, from processing issues to those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and high-functioning autism or Asberger's syndrome.

"They just don't fit into the conventional school system," Johnson said.

The nonprofit school has a lot going on this year, including an October fundraiser and a proposed 35,000-square-foot green campus to be built next to the original building. If Johnson and some high-powered parents have their way, New Horizons will be on everyone's tongues this year.

"This is the only program of its type here," said Rob Marlon, whose son Hunter will be attending this year. "So far, we're excited."

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, the Monster Mash Car Bash will be held at Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave. All proceeds from the event and car show will benefit New Horizons Academy.

For more information on the event, visit www.Monster MashCarBash.com.

Marlon and Johnson have plans to host more fundraisers this year and want to get other parents involved. Johnson also hopes that enrollment numbers will rise to the capacity level of 100 students.

For the 2008-09 year, about 80 students are enrolled, and with the new building, the school will be able to hold 200 students, from preschool to 12th grade.

"They're very successful because they think outside the box," Johnson said. "These are the kids of the future."

The students are in good company, as many great minds have had the same learning differences, including Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airlines.

"We had a student from a foreign country come here who had multiple seizures," Johnson said.

The student had a brain tumor, which he had been born with. His brain had formed away from the tumor so it was removable, but the boy didn't want it taken out of his body.

"If I do that, you'll take me out of this school," the boy told his parents and Johnson.

Johnson said New Horizons looks at each individual child, and with the help of an on-site psychologist, determines an education plan for them.

Seventh-grader Ben Altman said it doesn't matter if someone is in his grade or not, at any time, students could be working on different grade levels in terms of their work.

"You can go at your own pace," Ben said. "At public school, everyone has to do the same thing. Here, they can help you get straight A's."

The school uses an adaptive technology program because, Johnson said, the students at New Horizons thrive with technology. The computer software can scan any book, then break it down in pieces for the students for writing, reading and comprehension purposes.