Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer greeted students at the new Horizon Science Academy (HSA) in west Davenport on Friday morning, Aug. 29.
She gave them high-fives and praised their school uniforms – green polo-style shirts with a Horizon emblem on the upper left side of the shirts. “I love the uniforms. … You all look sharp in those green shirts. You look sharp, you will be sharp,” she told the students gathered at the public charter school, located at 2626 Boies Ave.
Those sharp-looking students and about 100 members of the community helped welcome Horizon Science Academy with a grand opening ceremony Friday. HSA is not only Davenport’s newest school, it’s also the city’s first free, non-selective public charter school.
“This is about opening doors today. … We are celebrating an investment in the children’s future,” the lieutenant governor said during the grand opening, which included a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The day’s events included tours of the school for Ms. Cournoyer, Iowa State Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen, local officials and representatives from Concept Schools, the owner/manager of HSA.
But much of the day’s events centered on welcoming the students to the Horizon Science Academy. Most of the school’s 80 enrolled students appeared to be at the opening ceremony, loudly cheering on the ceremony. In fact, two students – Phillip Carbonneau, 10, a fifth grader, and 5-year-old Torian Lacey, 5, a kindergartener – were part of the group that cut the ribbon to formally welcome the school.
“I can feel your energy. … It’s awesome to be here,” said Deanna Jensen-Valliere, the chamber’s member engagement manager.
Christopher Murphy, HSA superintendent, called the new school a safe place and a great place to learn for many young people in the community.
“This school is for you. You are inspired to dream big … and stay curious,” added Ms. Cournoyer.
Here are some details of the new school:
- Along with about 80 students, the school has 17 staff and faculty members. The target enrollment this school year is 210, according to the school’s website. The school also hopes to hire more faculty members in the coming weeks.
- HSA currently offers kindergarten through sixth grade classes. Eventually, the goal is to offer middle school and high school classes, Sedat Duman, president and CEO of Concept Schools, said at the ceremony.
- Classes began for kindergarten students on Friday, Aug. 22, and for first through sixth grade students on Monday, Aug. 25.
- Horizon Science Academy Davenport, operated by Concept Schools, will focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and college preparation. Concept Schools is a network of 40 STEM-focused charter schools, including HSA Des Moines.
- The school is located in the former St. Alphonsus school building and is Iowa’s eighth charter school established in the past five years. HSA leased the building at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church from the Diocese of Davenport.
- Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free schools run by governing boards under legislative contracts, or charters. While they can be tied to a school district, most are independently run following a 2021 law change. In that year, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law allowing groups not affiliated with local school districts to begin charter schools, subject to approval from the state.
- Schedule a tour of the school by calling (563) 946-5796.
At the opening ceremony, several speakers said the opening is just the first step on a trek that will help many students learn and become successful.
“This is the beginning of a journey. … We are not just opening a building, we are opening minds,” said Shawn Buettner, the new school’s principal.
