Today’s teenagers have been stereotyped as adventurous and harebrained individuals.  They are generally fond of experimenting with things until they get in touch with drugs, sex, guns, alcohol among others. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, 16,000 young adults die each year from unintentional injuries and accidents.  The most common justification for teenagers’ care-free attitude is that their brains just aren’t developed enough to know better. However, recent research shows that in some cases the fact is just the opposite, the brain matures not too slowly but perhaps, too quickly.

According to a psychiatrist, an adolescent who engages in more dangerous activities have white-matter pathways that seem to be more mature than those of risk-averse youths.  White-matter is the brain’s wiring, the neutral pathways that connect the various gray-matter regions of the cerebrum that are independent of one another.  Having a mature white-matter is necessary because it allows faster brain processing speed.  Nerve impulses also travel faster in mature white-matter. Experiments also reveal that the more mature the look of the brain, the more adventurous the teenager tended to be.
Another possible explanation is that some teenagers whose brains develop more rapidly than others become uncomfortable and a little confused owing to the gap between their biological capabilities and the social norms they must follow as kids. Precocious development of these neural tracts may make some adolescents more susceptible to engage in behaviors that society considers too adult in nature for their chronological age. It is also a common notion that teens make dumb decisions because their brains are immature. In other words, having a more mature brain may actually motivate some teens to try out new and potentially harmful experiences.
For now, these theories are mere speculation, and the researchers concede that the interaction of white and gray matter is so complex that hard conclusions remain elusive. The results of the study are relatively bare and by no means conclusive. The human brain is so intricate in nature, and one has to consider the fact that there are other factors that come into play such as the environment and certain genetic predispositions that are equally complex to study.

Horizon Academy has an air of modesty. For an educational institution that has progressive goals that is at par (or probably greater) with other prestigious academy, Horizon Academy is low key and undiscriminating.

Horizon Academy is located at Reinhardt Drive in the state of Kansas. They help students who are having a hard time with the following: word decoding skills in reading, Oral and written language comprehension, Oral and written expression, Math kills, time and sequencing, Handwriting ability, Physical education skills , organizational skills, and Social skills.

Horizon Academy was established from dedicated parents concerned about the progress of their children in traditional schools. Combining the advice received from national educational consultants, research from Midwest Research Institute, and input from local parents, educators and physicians, the vision and master plan for the school was materialized.

Nowadays, Horizon Academy houses the needs of up to 72 students per year who are working to gain the academic, social, and self-esteem skills necessary to reach their highest potential. Over 100 students have successfully transitioned back to their traditional school setting with many achieving honor roll status.

For a school which provides a learning environment focused on the whole child, including  intellectual, physical, social and emotional aspects, Horizon Academy remains humble. And this trait alone, has attracted more than many eager families and teens. What are you waiting for?

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