Recent LZHS Communications Detail

• 12th graders will not be in school on 8/30/23, 1/11/24, and 4/10/24.  They will receive asynchronous learning that day.  We suggest using these days for college visits.
• 11th graders will take the College Board PSAT/NMSQT on 10/25/23.  Student results on this assessment may meet the requirements to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Other scholarships are also available depending on the student's results on this assessment.
• 11th graders will not be in school on 1/11/24.  They will receive asynchronous learning.  They may also use this day for a college visit.  If an 11th grader wants to participate in the Horizon SAT assessment on this date, we can accommodate that request.  They would still need to complete their asynchronous learning. 
• Please note that results from the fall and winter assessments will be used for course placement the following year. 

Below are some benefits of moving to the Horizon platform. 

Digital Delivery-The SAT Suite of Assessments are moving to a digital platform this year and have made some changes to the assessments.  Some of those changes include shorter passages, fewer questions, and the use of a calculator for the entire math section.  The Horizon platform will allow students to take an assessment in the fall and winter that will mimic what students will see on the College Board assessment they take in the spring.

Faster Results-College Board takes about 6-8 weeks to have results sent back to schools, students, and parents.  This makes it difficult for students to identify areas of growth and strengths in a timely manner.  They have less time to work to strengthen the skills that are an area of growth for them.  The same is true for the school.  We analyze data to understand better how we can best support students.  That is harder to do when results are not timely.  Horizon has results for families, students, teachers, and the school in 24 hours.

Detailed Reports-Horizon’s reports break down the SAT Suite of Assessments further than subsections, such as Hearts of Algebra, Standards of English Conventions, Command of Evidence, and others.  Horizon’s reports will break down the subsections into specific skills.  Students and families will know exactly what skills their areas of growth are.  Horizon will give students a top 10 list of skills they feel students should focus on.

Coursework-Students will have access to coursework directly related to their areas of growth.  There are videos and written explanations tied to each skill to help support students in better understanding the skill.

We are looking forward to the Horizon platform.  The timely, more specific results will give better information to our families, students, teachers, and school.  With this information, students can be better supported in their learning.  If you have any questions, please contact John Walsh at john.walsh@lz95.org/847-540-4109 or Zach Gimm at zach.gimm@lz95.org/847-540-4629.

Sincerely,