Summit Again Designated as a
National Blue Ribbon School

In 2004, after nomination by the Colorado Department of Education, Summit was again honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon School. A total of 29 middle schools in the nation received the recognition in 2004. In its application, in addition to its usual high scores on the Colorado Student Assesssment Program (CSAP) tests, Summit presented data on student academic growth from year to year.

Summit Honored as a
2003 National Blue Ribbon School

The No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Summit is one of 214 public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide, and the only public middle school in Colorado, honored in 2003. What characterizes schools with high student achievement? Seven strategies emerged from the Blue Ribbon schools for 2003:
  1. Teachers use multiple assessments to monitor student progress, identify priorities, and choose appropriate teaching materials.
  2. Curricula are rigorous, aligned with state content and performance standards, and articulated across grade levels.
  3. The school community articulates and shares a common vision of academic success for all students.
  4. The entire community (for example, school staff, students, parents, citizens, etc.) is committed to excellence in education. Families are engaged in what their children need to know and do in school.
  5. Students, school staff members, and families have high expectations for student academic success.
  6. Administrators are instructional leaders.
  7. Professional development is ongoing, based on research, and embedded in classroom instruction.
Read the Critical Issues Panels—Discussion Report, No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools, 2003 Awards Ceremony, October 30 – 31, 2003, Washington, DC.

Summit on Video

Summit Middle School was featured in the U.S. Department of Education video Webcast/broadcast, "New Options for Families: Charters and School Choice," part of its series, "Education News Parents Can Use," on 17 February 2004. The archived program is available on the Web.