Handcrafted Holiday Magic

The holiday season is a time for traditions, memories, and giving; and this year, New Horizons Academy is excited to once again share a special tradition that brings all three together!

Our custom, handmade Christmas ornaments are back, lovingly crafted by talented students from all three New Horizons Academy campuses. Each ornament is a unique keepsake, thoughtfully created by our students to capture the warmth and spirit of the season.

This year, students have more than 100 different layer options to choose from, making it easier than ever to create an ornament that is truly one-of-a-kind!

And we’re excited to introduce a beautiful new option this year: acrylic layers! Ornaments can feature natural wood and/or acrylic layers, creating a stunning look that is perfect for any Christmas tree.

You can choose to leave your ornament in its beautiful natural wood and acrylic finish, or add an extra special touch by having it hand painted by our student artists.

When you select the hand-painted option, our young artists will put their creativity and holiday spirit to work, creating a one-of-a-kind ornament just for you. Using tasteful holiday colors and plenty of imagination, each piece becomes a personal keepsake that is uniquely yours.

Want to make your ornament even more special?

We’re offering FREE custom personal laser engraving on the back of wood and wood/acrylic combo ornaments. Add a name, date, short message, or other personal touch to create a keepsake you’ll treasure for years to come.

We know many of our students have family and friends who live farther away but would still love to purchase one of these awesome keepsakes. This year, we are offering an online ornament portal where supporters can order ornaments and have them shipped directly to them if they do not live close enough for pickup.

These ornaments aren’t just decorations—they’re a celebration of what our students can accomplish when given the opportunity to learn, create, and share their talents.

All proceeds from the ornament sale will support the ongoing purchase of equipment and supplies for our Handcrafted Hope Family and Consumer Science program. With every ornament purchased, you’re helping provide our students with meaningful opportunities to learn new skills, express their creativity, build confidence, and grow.

Quantities and time are limited, so don’t wait! Place your order today and help support student creativity and school programs with every purchase.

Click below to download this year’s ornament flyers.


DOWNLOAD FLYER (Page 1)	DOWNLOAD FLYER (Page 2)

All ornament orders must be placed by Monday, November 9, 2026.

ORDER TODAY!

Ornaments will be available for pickup at Pettisville Missionary Church on Tuesday night, December 15, during this year’s Christmas musical.

Unable to attend the Christmas musical? No problem! Ornaments will be delivered to each NHA campus in Wauseon and Springfield by Thursday, December 17.

Whether you’re purchasing an ornament for your own family, giving one as a gift, or starting a new holiday tradition, you’re taking home something truly special while supporting our students.

Handmade by NHA students. Designed with heart. Created to make a difference.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping make their creativity shine this holiday season!

A New Ride for NHA!

We have some exciting news at New Horizons Academy… a new-to-us bus has officially joined our school family! And we couldn’t be more excited about what this incredible resource will mean for our students.

We were able to purchase this beautiful bus for just $10,000, making it an exceptional addition to our school. Even better, the bus is equipped with a hydraulic wheelchair lift, providing accessible transportation for our students who use wheelchairs. It can accommodate 26 students and 3 wheelchairs, giving us much more flexibility as we plan activities and experiences beyond our school walls.

The bus will be put to good use in so many ways! It will provide transportation for class trips, vocational study opportunities, community outings, and Christmas musical practices, just to name a few. Having our own accessible transportation will open the door to experiences that help our students learn, grow, build independence, and participate more fully in our school community.

You may notice that it doesn’t look quite like a traditional school bus. The bus is no longer school-bus yellow—it has been beautifully painted white to meet Ohio standards for a multifunction activity bus. And we have to say, it looks absolutely amazing! It is so clean and well-kept that it almost looks brand new.

We are incredibly thankful for this opportunity and excited about all the places this bus will take our students—both literally and figuratively. From learning in the community to preparing for performances and creating lasting memories on class trips, this bus will be an important part of life at New Horizons Academy for years to come.

We can’t wait to see where it takes us!

NHA Back-to-School Save the Dates

The 2026-2027 school year is just around the corner. To help prepare for this coming school year, mark your calendar and save the following dates for New Horizons Academy:

August
4—NHA School Board Meeting
12—New Staff Orientation
13—Springfield Campus Open House
13-14—Staff Inservice
14—Wauseon Campus Open House & Career Center Orientation
17—First Day of School
25—Wauseon School Picture Day
26—Springfield School Picture Day

September
7—No School for Labor Day
8—No School for Fair Day

NHA Still Accepting Student Applications 2026-27 School Year

New Horizons Academy (NHA) still has openings for students for the 2026-2027 school year! NHA is finalizing its 2026-2027 student enrollment at all three of its locations, so please get your applications in TODAY!

Currently, NHA serves special education students from over 25 different school districts from across nine Northwest Ohio counties through its regional special education PK-12 school campus at 220 Lawrence Ave. in Wauseon, its Greater Toledo Area Campus at 6201 Trust Dr. in Holland—just off of Airport Highway, and its Career Center and Special Grounds Coffee Shop at 854 S. Shoop Ave. in Wauseon. If you are looking for the right special education placement for your preschool to high school student, a place where your child feels like he or she fits in, consider NHA.

NHA’s Wauseon & Springfield Township Campuses:

Accept Autism Education Plans (AEPs), based upon a medical diagnosis of autism,
Are regional preschool to 12th grade special education schools,
Have a 1:2—staff to student ratio,
Specialize in individualized, personalized education,
Provide strong academics, community involvement, life skills classes, and vocational training,
Offer early intervention, (EI) conductive education (CE), sensory integration & speech/language pathology (SLP),
Participate in the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program,
Are Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Schools,
With individual education plans (IEPs), accept both the Autism & Jon Peterson Scholarships as payment in full.

NHA’s Career Center & Special Grounds Coffee Shop:

Prides itself on small classroom sizes (5-8 students),
Works with young adults up to age 21,
Targets functional academics, vocational skills training, and work study placements,
Provides on-site work study placements through Special Grounds Coffee including kitchen and food prep, coffee bean flavoring and packaging, counter and customer service work, and maintenance and cleaning,
Helps transition high school students and special needs young adults into community work study programs,
Provides job coaching and transportation to community work sites,
Community work site partners include Chief Supermarkets, Triangular Processing, Mahnke Orchards & Lily Creek Farms, Goodwill, Home Restaurant, Heritage Inn, Lott Industries, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, and many others.

Our mission is to help your child achieve the greatest independence possible through early intervention programs, classes, community activities, life skills training, vocational placements, and job coaching.

Steps to Enrollment:

Call the school at 419-335-7272 for more information.
Submit a copy of your child’s IEP or AEP & ETR for review.
Schedule a school tour, interview, and student assessment.
If accepted, complete student enrollment paperwork, and provide proof of residency.
Complete and accept the Autism or Jon Peterson Scholarship.

For more information on New Horizons Academy or to schedule a tour, contact Admissions Coordinator Michelle Nagle at 419-335-7272 or via email at michellen@sarasgarden.org.

You’re Invited to NHA’s 2026 Graduation

Family, friends, and the Northwest Ohio community are invited and encouraged to celebrate with New Horizons Academy’s Class of 2026 at this year’s graduation ceremony on May 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at NHA’s Career Center Gym (854 S. Shoop Ave., Wauseon, Ohio).

NHA is pleased and proud to announce its Class of 2026:

Sam Allen
Justin Bauer
Anne Deffenbaugh
Aiden Harner
Ava Keim
Bella Moon
Justice Nofziger
Kamil Plaza
Kendall Sickelbaugh
Eric Spiller
Julie Stiff
John (Jack) Syverson
Marcos Valderrama
Veronica Varnado

The Class of 2026 has selected the following for its graduation:

Class Flower: Purple Rose
Class Song: Dog Days Are Over
Motto: In the darkness, hope is something you give yourself.

Among this year’s graduation highlights will be:

Health-permitting, Principal Marty Friess presenting his grandson, Jack Syverson, his diploma,
Congratulating Valedictorian Anne Deffenbaugh on her acceptance to Ohio Wesleyan University,
Celebrating Jack Syverson on his acceptance to Owens Community College,
Recognizing Marcos Valderrama for over two years of dedicated work at McDonald’s, Ava Keim for starting her new job at Heritage Inn, and Sam Allen for his work experience at Red Robin all while in school.

“We are so excited to celebrate this big day with our graduates and their families,” shared NHA Principal Marty Friess. “Graduation is one of my favorite school events, because we get to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students, as well as, thank their parents for their dedication, commitment, and trust in us. This year’s graduation is even more special and exciting for me. My grandson, Jack, will be graduating this year, and I’m so looking forward to sharing the stage with him and handing him his hard-won diploma. I hope everyone comes out for this year’s 2026 graduation ceremony.”

Congratulations to Our NHA Class of 2026!

NHA Still Accepting Student Applications for the 2026-27 School Year

New Horizons Academy (NHA) still has openings for students for the 2026-2027 school year in a few classrooms. NHA is finalizing its 2026-2027 student enrollment at all three of its locations, so please get your applications in TODAY!

Currently, NHA serves special education students from over 25 different school districts from across nine Northwest Ohio counties through its regional special education PK-12 school campus at 220 Lawrence Ave. in Wauseon, its Greater Toledo Area Campus at 6201 Trust Dr. in Holland—just off of Airport Highway, and its Career Center and Special Grounds Coffee Shop at 854 S. Shoop Ave. in Wauseon. If you are looking for the right special education placement for your preschool to high school student, a place where your child feels like he or she fits in, consider NHA.

NHA’s Wauseon & Springfield Township Campuses:

Are regional preschool to 12th grade special education schools
Have a 1:2—staff to student ratio
Specialize in individualized, personalized education
Provide strong academics, community involvement, life skills classes, and vocational training
Offer early intervention, (EI) conductive education (CE), sensory integration & speech/language pathology (SLP)
Participate in the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program
Are Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Schools
Accept both the Autism & Jon Peterson Scholarships as payment in full.

NHA’s Career Center & Special Grounds Coffee Shop:

Prides itself on small classroom sizes (4-7 students)
Works with young adults up to age 21
Targets functional academics, vocational skills training, and work study placements
Provides on-site work study placements through its Special Grounds Coffee Shop including kitchen and food prep, counter and customer service work, roasting room and coffee packaging, and maintenance and cleaning
Helps transition high school students and special needs young adults into community work study programs
Provides job coaching and transportation to community work sites
Community work site partners include Heritage Inn, Chief Supermarkets, Goodwill Industries, Home Restaurant, The Candy Emporium, Triangular Processing, Mahnke Orchards & Lily Creek Farms, and with others coming on weekly.

Our mission is to help your child achieve the greatest independence possible through early intervention programs, classes, community activities, life skills training, vocational placements, and job coaching.

Steps to Enrollment:

Call the school at 419-335-7272 for more information.
Submit a copy of your child’s IEP or AEP & ETR for review.
Schedule a school tour, interview, and student assessment.
If accepted, complete student enrollment paperwork, and provide proof of residency.
Complete and accept the Autism or Jon Peterson Scholarship.

For more information on New Horizons Academy or to schedule a tour, contact Admissions Coordinator Michelle Nagle at 419-335-7272 or via email at michellen@sarasgarden.org.

Brewing Success

Brewing Success: Students Rack Up Real-World Skills at Special Grounds

The 2025-26 school year has been so successful so far! With a strategic schedule change for the students and a main focus on vocational training, the students have been able to hone in on developing skills in each part of Special Grounds – Coffee Truck, Coffee Shop, Kitchen and Roasting Department.

From checking off inventory, to rolling burritos, to fulfilling fundraising orders, to learning to steam milk on the truck, to customer service, and everything in between, we are excited to see how they use these skills in their very bright futures!

During the second half of the year, we are continuing to focus on developing these skills, along with, creating professional portfolios. As we have a large number of students who will be graduating this year, we want to make sure they are fully equipped to get started in a career that they love.

NHA Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27

All three New Horizons Academy (NHA) locations are now accepting new students for the 2026-2027 school year!

They include its regional special education PK-12 school campus at 220 Lawrence Ave. in Wauseon, its Greater Toledo Area Campus at 6201 Trust Dr. in Holland—just off of Airport Highway, and its Career Center and Special Grounds Coffee Shop at 854 S. Shoop Ave. in Wauseon. For more information or to begin the application process, complete the online interest form.

If you are looking for the right special education placement for your preschool to high school student, a place where your child feels like he or she fits in, consider NHA or its Career Center in Wauseon or its Holland or Springfield Township Campus. At NHA, kids come first. We exist for our students; our students do not exist for the school. Students don’t have to fit into the classes. The classes and programs are designed to meet the student’s individual needs. Please complete the online interest form to set up a tour, and find out if we are the right fit for your special needs student.

NHA’s Wauseon & Springfield Township Campuses:

Are regional preschool to 12th grade special education schools
Serving students from 25 different school districts across 9 Northwest Ohio counties
Have a 1:2.5—average staff to student ratio
Specialize in individualized, personalized education
Provide strong academics, community involvement, life skills classes, and vocational training
Offer early intervention (EI), conductive education (CE), sensory integration, occupational therapy (OT) & speech/language pathology (SLP)
Participate in the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program
Are Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Schools
Accept both the Autism & Jon Peterson Scholarships as payment in full.

NHA’s Career Center & Special Grounds Coffee Shop:

Prides itself on small classroom sizes (5-8 students)
Works with young adults up to age 21
Targets functional academics, vocational skills training, and work study placements
Provides on-site work study placements through its Special Grounds Coffee Shop including kitchen and food prep, counter and customer service work, and maintenance and cleaning
Helps transition high school students and special needs young adults into community work study programs with job coaching and transportation provided

Our mission is to help your child achieve the greatest independence possible through early intervention programs, classes, community activities, life skills training, vocational placements, and job coaching.

Steps to Enrollment:

Complete the online interest form.
Submit a copy of your child’s IEP & ETR for review.
Schedule a school tour, interview, and student assessment.
If accepted, complete student enrollment paperwork, and provide proof of residency.
Complete and accept the Autism or Jon Peterson Scholarship.

For more information on New Horizons Academy or to schedule a tour, call Admissions Coordinator Michelle Nagle at (419) 335-7272, email her at michellen@sarasgarden.org or complete the online interest form, and our admissions team will get right back with you.

Classes begin in August, so begin the enrollment process today!

2026 NHA Graduation Planned

Congratulations to NHA’s 2026 graduates… our LARGEST graduating class yet!

At this year’s 2026 graduation, New Horizons Academy (NHA) hopes to break its own 2023 graduation record. This year, NHA hopes to graduate up to 15 young people…its largest graduating class yet!

On May 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the Career Center (854 S. Shoop Ave., Wauseon, OH 43567), up to 15 students will cross the stage and celebrate their high school accomplishments. They will be receiving their high school diplomas or certificates and graduation seals. All graduates are asked to arrive by noon.

NHA is pleased and proud to announce the potential members of its 2026 graduating class:

Sam Allen
Justin Bauer
Anne Deffenbaugh
Aiden Harner
Ava Keim
Bella Moon
Justice Nofziger
Kamil Plaza
Kendall Sickelbaugh
Grayson Snider
Eric Spiller
Julie Stiff
John (Jack) Syverson
Marcos Valderrama
Veronica Varnado

The community is invited and welcome to attend this year’s graduation ceremony!

“We are so excited to celebrate this big day with our graduates and their families,” shared NHA Principal Marty Friess. “Graduation is one of my favorite school events, because we get to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students, as well as, thank their parents for their dedication, commitment, and trust in us. This year’s graduation is even more special and exciting for me. My grandson, Jack, will be graduating this year, and I’m so looking forward to sharing the stage with him and handing him his hard-won diploma. I hope everyone comes out for this year’s 2026 graduation ceremony.”

Congratulations to our 2026 graduates!

2025-26 NHA Yearbook Sponsorship

We are so thankful to our sponsors for making this past year’s yearbook project possible.

Our goal is to once again provide our students and their parents with this very special memento. We hope to raise funds through sponsors in order to keep the costs of the yearbooks as low as possible, so that more students and their families will be able to afford one.

We invite you to consider being a sponsor of this very special project!

We also gladly accept general donations for those not interested in being recognized as sponsors.

COST: $150.00

This level of sponsorship includes a 3.75″ x 4.25″ (approx.) color advertisement in the yearbook, recognition on our website and recognition on social media with a link to your business’ social media page or website.

DONATE NOW

COST: $90.00

This level of sponsorship includes a business card sized color advertisement in the yearbook and recognition on our website.

DONATE NOW

COST: $30.00

This level of sponsorship includes your business or name listed in the yearbook and website.

DONATE NOW

Advertisements are requested to be received by April 30, 2026.
Ads can be emailed in .jpg/.jpeg format to karab@sarasgarden.org.
Ads may be dropped off at Sara’s Garden or New Horizons Academy.

Sara’s Garden is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We’ll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.