The Story of How New Horizon Academy Began
The Beginning
Once upon a time, New Horizon Academy’s President and Founder, Sue Dunkley, wanted to be a school teacher.
After marrying in 1969, she set out to do just that and got a teaching job within the public school system. Sue went into her first year of teaching excited and eager to help children learn. However, she didn’t feel that the children were receiving all the necessary tools and support they needed to succeed.
The public school system would ask Sue to set up her classroom in a way that essentially arranged children from most talented to least talented. Sue knew this was not allowing children an opportunity to learn and build self-esteem. It was setting students up to fail.
Despite what she was asked to do, Sue would mix all the children up, allowing everyone an equal opportunity to learn the same. Sue’s method wasn’t focused on who was learning the best, it was focused on getting all children excited about learning.
After working in the public school system for two years, Sue knew she needed to change the game of teaching. She wanted to change the world. So, her husband, Bill Dunkley, told her, “Well, go follow your dream!”
The Dream
The Dunkleys proceeded to rent part of a church for $25/month, and there began the first New Horizon Academy with 8 children.
The idea for New Horizon Academy was about giving children choices. Sue believed children needed choices to thrive in an early learning environment. When children would arrive in the morning, she would ask them, “Would you like to hang up your coat or would you like me to hang up your coat?” Giving students choices allowed them to develop independence and feel heard.
Sue also believed that all children should be given a chance. Children learn at their own pace, and should be given the proper support and encouragement to explore their unique talents and strengths.
If a child was struggling, Sue would never give up on them. She would always find a way to get the child excited about learning in a way that worked for them.
The Now
Today, all New Horizon Academy schools use a social-emotional learning curriculum called Conscious Discipline. It essentially uses the same framework for fostering self-esteem, independence, and a love for learning that Sue used in the very first New Horizon Academy in 1971.
New Horizon Academy provides a safe place for children to learn in the most important years of their life, and more importantly, makes children feel good about who they are. Over 50 years later, our schools nurture and prepare children to succeed not only in school but also in life.
Watch Sue Dunkley’s Story
New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90+ schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through a play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and life.
Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!
