Hello! My name is Kristie Servis and I’m the principal of the Salida School District’s non-traditional schools—Crest Academy (grades 5–8) and Horizons Exploratory Academy (HEA) for high school students. I’ve had the privilege of serving in this role for the past five years, and I’m proud to share a little more about the work happening at HEA.
Horizons Exploratory Academy offers a personalized high school experience for students in grades 9–12. Our goal is simple: help every student find a path to success that works for them. For some students, that means preparing for college, while for others it means gaining the skills and experience to move directly into the workforce after graduation. Either way, our focus is on helping students grow into confident, capable young adults.
One thing that truly sets HEA apart is our strong focus on relationships. Our small-school environment allows staff to really know our students—their strengths, their challenges, and their goals. We believe students are most successful when they feel supported not just academically, but as whole people. Building trust and connection with students and their families is at the heart of everything we do.
Each student at HEA works with an advisor to develop a plan that helps guide their high school experience and keeps them on track for graduation. While our structure is flexible, our expectations are not lower. HEA students still meet the district’s 28-credit graduation requirement and complete rigorous coursework. In fact, the program requires a high level of independence and motivation from students.
The experiential part of our program gives students opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. This can include job shadowing, internships, exposure to new experiences, outdoor education, and creative projects that connect learning to real-world skills.
Students at HEA are also full members of the Salida High School community and can participate in sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities.
We are incredibly proud of the work our students do and the supportive community we’ve built together. Horizons Exploratory Academy is a place where students are known, supported, and encouraged to pursue their own version of success.
A huge part of what makes Horizons Exploratory Academy so special is the people who show up every day for our students. Our teachers—Emily Lamont, Pam Holschuh, Herman Lapp, Jake Schalamon, Sophie Jensen, and Megan Love—bring creativity, patience, and a genuine love for working with young people. Our counselor, Alysha Rushing, plays a huge role in helping students navigate life both inside and outside of school while planning for what comes next after graduation. And of course, we can’t forget our beloved therapy dogs, Murphy and Millie, who provide plenty of comfort, smiles, and the occasional much-needed break during the day. Together, this team works hard to make sure every student at HEA feels known, supported, and capable. At the end of the day, that’s really what Horizons is all about—helping students feel like they belong and reminding them that they are loved.