Alumni

Every two years, The Horizons School surveys our graduates and their families to gauge current independence and continually evaluate and improve our program. Our most recent 2026 Alumni and Parent Survey reached recent graduates from 2020 to 2025 and their parents — twenty-one responded to 28 fixed-response and 7 open-ended items.

2026 Survey Highlights

• 82% of respondents would recommend Horizons School to others.
• Two-thirds of recent alumni are currently employed; four work more than 30 hours a week.
• 50% of working alumni report being “Very Satisfied” with their job; another 33% are “Satisfied.” None reported dissatisfaction.
• 42% found their job with assistance from Horizons staff; one-third applied job-search skills learned at Horizons.
• High independence (70%+) reported across self-care skills like managing medication, managing moods, problem solving, eating healthy, scheduling clinical appointments, and maintaining friendships.
• High independence (65%+) across daily living skills: managing daily schedule, laundry, hygiene, dressing for the situation, and managing a budget.
• 15 alumni earned a career certification while at Horizons (CPR/AED/First Aid, ServSafe, Guest Services Gold, Retail Industry Fundamentals, and more).
• Job titles held by alumni include Preschool Teacher’s Aide, Healthcare Utility Worker, Cafeteria Aide, Food Prep Cook, Retail Cashier, Breakfast Attendant, and Museum Field Trip Lead.
• 47% live with a roommate or partner; 76% have lived at their current address for one or more years.
• 41% manage their own bank account, budget, and spending.

Voices from the 2026 Survey

My son is where he is today because of The Horizons School. As I witnessed him gain independence, and succeed in his new life at Horizons, I began to change into a better version of myself. The peace of mind of knowing my son was learning how to thrive in a world that I may not be in for the rest of his life means everything. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The Horizons School is a valuable asset to the Birmingham, Alabama community and out-of-state students. The entire staff are professional and care about the success of all the students. They look past the can’t and see can-dos. They have been a blessing to my daughter.

I joke that Horizons taught him he CAN live independently — he has become a more productive member of the household. He does all the family grocery shopping, cooks upon occasion, gets up every morning at 5, walks to the bus, and has never missed work!

Earlier Alumni Stories

Horizons was great for Linda. The program gave her skills and confidence she didn’t know she could have. She does well, but continuing health issues keep her from working and being more independent. She learned so much at Horizons to be as independent as possible in Houston, a large city. Transportation and social aspects are the biggest challenges.

Myrtice attended Northern Michigan College and went through their dental assisting program. She was not able to pass college-level Algebra to be certified. She now works in food preparation at a luxury residence for seniors. She lives where there is lots of activities, so she interacts with people all day long.

Latrice flourished during her attendance at The Horizons School. She gained new self-confidence that we had never seen before. Latrice is working part-time and attending a social group for young adults with developmental disabilities (mostly autistic). This group has been very beneficial for her, but does not come close to the social life she had at Horizons.

Bruce is doing well right now! He is working full-time as an assistant to a top-notch plumber and is working to become an apprentice. He is playing for a soccer team in a league for young adults and now has a gym membership and is working out and using it. He still has friends from Horizons and they get together from time to time. He is putting himself out there socially more than before (Horizons). I am proud of him. Thank you, Horizons, for everything!

Our daughter Anne attended Horizons School a number of years ago. Her experience at Horizons was important for her development as a person, as a citizen, and as a worker. The school’s focus on appropriate education for students with learning issues, on how to become independent, and on job training was and is impressive. She is now a teacher for the mother’s day out program at a local church. While she currently lives with us, she is independent and involved in a number of activities outside her work. Horizons was, and is, a blessing for Anne and for her mother and me.

Horizons is a wonderful place and I would recommend it to anyone in a similar situation.