We currently have kids at Summit in both the elementary and middle school, and I can honestly say…read moreit's been one of the best decisions we've made for our family.
When we were school hunting, one of our biggest non-negotiables were class size and teacher engagement and Summit delivers on both. The classrooms are thoughtfully set up for different learning styles, and the teachers truly know how to meet kids where they are. If a student isn't fully understanding an assignment the teachers work hard to offer solutions. There's individual support, check-ins, and a lot of patience. At the same time, if a child is ready for more of a challenge, the teachers are quick to extend their learning. For example, my child is currently receiving accelerated math assignments to keep her moving forward.
One of the things that impressed me most is how many staff members actually know my kids (and me!) personally. Not just their core teachers, but many adults on campus know them by name, stop to talk to them, and seem invested in who they are.
The culture at Summit feels collaborative instead of competitive. Kindness is modeled (PEAK to Achieve), different cultures are celebrated, and you can really tell the kids are genuinely happy to be there. It's the kind of environment where kids can grow socially and academically without feeling like they have to "fit in." Both of my children were anxious about starting at a new school, and they were welcomed with open arms.
Academically, I appreciate Summit's philosophy...it's not just what they teach, it's how they teach. Critical thinking is encouraged, homework is intentional (not pages of busywork), and there are plenty of enrichment opportunities for kids to explore beyond the standard curriculum. Honestly, all you have to do is take a tour with Kyle to see the joy and magic that's happening on campus on any given day.
Social-emotional learning is also a real priority. Like any school, kids will have conflicts sometimes, but what I've seen at Summit is that teachers step in and help facilitate productive, positive resolutions. They're teaching skills that will be useful far beyond elementary and middle school. We recently had a situation like this, and my daughter's teacher worked with the children directly and then followed up with an email to explain what happened and how it was addressed. That level of communication and care means a lot.
And the extracurriculars? There are so many options. From no-cut sports to an award winning robotics club, kids have plenty of opportunities to try new things after school and maybe even find their passion. My daughters are both involved in sports and have had the best time. It's not only about winning championships (though Summit does that well too) but it's also about learning teamwork, leadership, and how to show up for others.
I also wanted to extend a special thank you to the Head of School, Mr. Wald. My kids absolutely adore him. He's kind, engaging, and makes school fun and welcoming in a way that really matters. If you peek into his office, you'll likely see kids hanging out with him! He's also brought exciting programs to the school, and a few favorites have been Walks With Wald and the Teacher Internship Program. His level of dedication to the school is admirable.
One last big thing to note: we commute 30 minutes each way to Summit. While I do sometimes wish we lived closer, I'd drive an hour each way if I had to. My kids don't ever want to miss school and that says everything.