Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Horizon Academy

Horizon Academy

Since 1998, NWACS has operated an on-site school for children in Pre-K through 12th grade. We are the only children’s shelter in the state to offer on-site education. Through a partnership with Bentonville Public Schools, our residents attend Horizon Academy and benefit from our low student-to-teacher ratio.

The education program spares children who have experienced trauma the additional stress of starting a new school, as well as providing quality, individualized educational services. Students benefit from small classroom sizes taught by state-certified teachers trained in meeting the specialized classroom needs of children who have experienced trauma.

Our trauma-centered faculty and staff are trained to meet the unique emotional and social needs of a child in crisis. 

Seth

Seth* had a tough beginning in life. His mother was not someone who could be trusted or relied upon. Because of her own struggles with drug abuse and mental health, she couldn’t provide the very basics of care for Seth. As a young child, Seth was raised, off and on, by his grandparents. However, when […]

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Meet Seth

Seth* had a tough beginning in life. His mother was not someone who could be trusted or relied upon. Because of her own struggles with drug abuse and mental health, she couldn’t provide the very basics of care for Seth. As a young child, Seth was raised, off and on, by his grandparents. However, when they passed away, he was forced to return to his mother’s care.

Frightened and alone, doing what he could to survive without any support at home, Seth found himself in a downward spiral.

That’s when he arrived at the Shelter. When Seth walked through the doors of the Shelter, he was scared, angry and withdrawn. He kept his hood up and wasn’t comfortable with eye contact, personal communication or any acts of love or affection.

He wasn’t used to being surrounded by adults focused on meeting his needs. He had raised himself for most of his life. Within the safety of the Shelter, he had to learn how to trust.

While at the Shelter, Seth was able to recover his high school credits and graduate on schedule. He learned many new life skills, such as laundry, cooking, cleaning and money management. He is currently living independently, enjoying a new job and looking forward to starting college in the spring. His future is much brighter because of the care he received at the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

*name and image changed to protect privacy

I like the Shelter because we get new stuff, like clothes, and we get to go outside and play kickball.

Adam, age 6

The Shelter has truly given me hope to pursue my life to the fullest, put my past behind me, and move on to bigger and better things in life. The staff members, who I think of as family, have brought me to realize that I am valuable, strong and able to conquer anything I set my mind on.

Chelsea, age 13

Due to a rough childhood, I had lost all hope in life. The Shelter changed my life for the better. I’ve been given opportunities I never, ever thought I could get in life.”

Rhiannon, age 17