Magic happens Wednesday mornings at MHS. That’s when most Miss Hall’s students head off campus and make a difference by interning or volunteering across the Berkshires. On campus, 9th and 10th graders (until second semester!) dig into projects designed to introduce freshwomen to their new community and to prep sophomores to volunteer off campus after Winter Break.

The School’s signature Horizons program takes place every Wednesday, providing MHS students with important moments to practice real-world skills and develop the expertise and confidence they will need to navigate pathways beyond MHS. Now marking its 30th year, this one-of-a-kind program is stronger than ever.

Launched for the 1995-96 school year, Horizons is a four-year program that builds sequentially as students progress through MHS. It begins with on-campus projects in the ninth grade, introduces off-campus elements during sophomore year, adds nonprofit volunteerism and internship opportunities for juniors, and culminates with a senior-year internship or professional project, typically tailored to college and/or career interests.

Adapting to evolving student needs and interests, providing students with a voice in their Horizons pathway, engaging with partners as they respond to evolving community needs, and embracing change are among reasons for the program’s staying power, explains Director of Horizons Emerald Power. Horizons is also an important part of the MHS academic experience.

“It’s a priority for us to provide students opportunities that extend beyond the classroom,” says Emerald. A framework for each year of the program provides structure, while there is room for student voice and choice, whether it is 9th graders deciding where to donate proceeds from their plant sale or sophomores building a menu for their annual Harvest Festival. As juniors and seniors, students advocate for the off-campus experiences they want.

“There is flexibility, in that students’ interests and passions shift the program and change the ways we engage with partners, whose work in the community is also always evolving,” adds Emerald. “And, we allow students voice and agency in their Horizons path. They get to decide how they show up and shape their experience. In this way, our program and the work that we do will never go stale.”

Student feedback helps shape the program, and Horizons faculty work with juniors and seniors to connect them with meaningful off-campus opportunities. “Really caring about what our students want is a priority,” says Emerald. “Being aware of what’s happening locally in our community, whether it’s new organizations or new connections with alums and community leaders, also opens doors for our students.”

MHS partners with some 65 to 75 sites annually across the Berkshires. That list fluctuates based on student interest and site capacity to take on interns and/or volunteers from year to year.

Medical-related sites remain popular, as do long-term partners Hancock Shaker Village and Barry & Kinzer Law. Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and the Berkshire County Historical Society return to the program this year, while an interior designer, yoga/fitness studio, and animal sanctuary are new this year.

The Berkshire Innovation Center, a high-tech hub in Pittsfield, joined Horizons three years ago. “Part of our mission is providing apprenticeship and internship opportunities for area students and potentially inspiring interest in high-tech manufacturing and STEM careers,” explains Tim Butterworth, Director of Applied Technology at the BIC.

Students typically learn the basics of design and production, how to evaluate designs and products to assess if they are meeting goals, then how to iterate to achieve the desired results. They gain experience with project management and timelines, as well as technical skills, such as 3D design and printing.

“The opportunity to mentor students helps the BIC mission, and we hope students leave not only with technical skills but also with an understanding of STEM opportunities available to them,” Tim adds. “We work with a variety of interns from other schools, including college-age and summer interns, and we’ve been impressed with the Miss Hall’s students. They’re consistently motivated and take initiative.”

A willingness to embrace change also helps keep Horizons relevant, adds Emerald. Recent examples include front-loading social-emotional learning (SEL) earlier in 9th grade and additional on-campus programming to prepare sophomores for off-campus experiences. A popular senior-year shift was pushing back the start of internships to provide time in September and October for finishing college applications.

“It’s being intentional in how we serve the whole student and provide exceptional programming,” says Emerald. “These changes — adding time for finishing college applications, for example — allow students to show up better for their Horizons experiences — and other aspects of their school life.”

Horizons plays an important role in a MHS student’s academic path, notes Dean of Academics and Faculty Meghan Smith. There is also an understanding that traditional academic content areas are only one facet of learning.

“The opportunity that the Horizons program affords to younger students is an immersive experience in foundational academic skills led by the Academic Skills Center, a dive into our DE&I curriculum led by the DE&I office, and essential health programming led by the Health and Wellness team,” notes Dean Smith. Juniors and seniors benefit from pre-college opportunities to explore fields of interest while also gaining real-world skills.

“All of these experiences are as integral to the holistic student experience as English, History, Language, or STEM subjects,” Dean Smith adds. “Horizons highlights what students need in order to engage in any learning experience, regardless of the subject matter put in front of them. These moments of practice help bridge the gap between the world in the classroom and outside of it.”

Looking ahead, Emerald sees a program that will continue evolving, as it has for 30 years. There are opportunities around sustainability — an area of particular interest to students — and expanding the ways Horizons engages with the academic program. There might also be opportunities to take what Horizons does so well on a local level and replicate it with long-term regional or national partnerships.

“We are sending students into a community where the needs are always changing and where the needs of the organizations they serve are always changing,” adds Emerald. “Student interests also always evolve, and we allow students to have agency in their experience, so the way we integrate into the community is never stagnant. Ultimately, this means that Horizons can always remain relevant.”