About New Horizons
Building Community Through Early Childhood Education Since 1968
New Horizons is a nonprofit, play-based, bilingual preschool in North Boulder serving children ages 2.5–6 and their families. Since 1968, we have provided an inclusive early childhood education community rooted in connection, curiosity, creativity, and respect for diverse cultures, languages, and experiences.
For nearly 60 years, New Horizons has helped children build confidence, friendships, independence, and a lifelong love of learning through meaningful relationships, hands-on exploration, and family partnerships.
Our History
New Horizons was founded in 1968 by a group of parents who believed early childhood education could help bring families together across differences in race, culture, language, and economic background.
Created in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., New Horizons was built on the belief that children and families benefit from learning in an inclusive and connected community grounded in empathy, respect, and belonging.
Since our founding, New Horizons has remained committed to making high-quality preschool accessible to families across a range of backgrounds and income levels.
Our bilingual Spanish-English program began in 1990 in response to a growing need within the Boulder community and continues to support multilingual children and families today. All school communications, including workshops, newsletters, and board meetings, are available in both English and Spanish.
New Horizons has operated in the same North Boulder location since 1970, adjacent to the Friends Meeting House, and continues to serve generations of Boulder families.
Our Approach
Play-Based, Child-Centered Learning
At New Horizons, children learn through play, exploration, creativity, movement, storytelling, music, dramatic play, outdoor experiences, and meaningful relationships with teachers and peers.
Our classrooms combine play-based learning, bilingual education, inquiry-based experiences, and social-emotional learning to support children's cognitive, physical, language, creative, and emotional development.
Teachers support children as active participants in their learning by encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence. Daily literacy experiences in both English and Spanish help build strong foundations in language and early literacy development.
Children spend significant time outdoors each day engaging in imaginative play, physical activity, nature exploration, gardening, bike riding, and sensory experiences in our spacious, tree-shaded outdoor environment.
Spanish-English Learning Community
New Horizons launched its bilingual preschool program in 1990 to help meet the needs of multilingual families in Boulder and to create meaningful opportunities for children to learn and grow across languages and cultures.
Each classroom is staffed by three teachers, including at least two bilingual Spanish-speaking educators. Children receive support in their home language while also building confidence and communication skills in English and Spanish through songs, stories, conversations, literacy activities, and daily classroom experiences.
We believe bilingual learning benefits all children by strengthening communication skills, cultural understanding, empathy, and cognitive development.
Bilingual Education
Family Partnerships
Supporting Children and Families Together
At New Horizons, we believe children thrive when families and educators work in partnership. We value meaningful relationships, open communication, and active family involvement as part of each child’s learning experience.
Families have opportunities to participate in:
Parent workshops and educational events
Home visits and family-teacher connection opportunities
Volunteer opportunities in the classroom and school community
Community celebrations and cultural gatherings
Family events and school traditions
Parent leadership and shared decision-making through the school board
New Horizons also supports families through bilingual family literacy programming, community partnerships, and individualized support navigating school enrollment and early childhood resources.
Our family-centered approach helps ensure the school continues to reflect and respond to the evolving needs of children and families in our community.
Our Cooperative Model
New Horizons was founded as a cooperative preschool in 1968 and continues to believe that children thrive when families and educators work together. Families play an active role in the life of the school through volunteering, events, leadership opportunities, and community-building activities. This partnership helps create the strong sense of connection and belonging that has defined New Horizons for nearly 60 years.
Inclusive Community
A Welcoming Preschool Community
New Horizons welcomes families from many different cultures, languages, backgrounds, and experiences. We strive to create a preschool community where children and families feel valued, supported, and connected.
Our classrooms encourage empathy, kindness, collaboration, confidence, and appreciation for different perspectives and experiences. Through community celebrations, bilingual learning, family partnerships, and inclusive classroom practices, children develop a strong sense of belonging and respect for others.
Making Preschool More Accessible
New Horizons is committed to making high-quality early childhood education accessible to families across a range of income levels and backgrounds.
We offer:
Tuition assistance opportunities
As a nonprofit preschool, community support helps sustain tuition assistance, bilingual programming, family literacy initiatives, and accessible early childhood education for Boulder families.
Today, New Horizons serves a diverse community of children and families from across Boulder and surrounding communities.
Families come to New Horizons seeking a warm, inclusive, community-centered preschool experience grounded in play, learning, relationships, and meaningful family involvement.
Many New Horizons alumni families remain connected to the school long after graduation, returning for community events, celebrations, literacy nights, and school traditions. Former students, parents, and families often continue to share their time, talents, and expertise with the school community — a meaningful reflection of the lasting relationships and strong sense of belonging built at New Horizons.
We are proud to continue serving Boulder families nearly six decades after our founding.