Reach for the Summit!
Program Information
2004-2005 School Year
Intro |
Mission |
Curriculum |
Core Subjects |
Electives
Scheduling |
Test Scores |
Extracurricular |
Location
Transportation |
Parents Survey |
Enrollment
I realize what an exceptional place this really is.
Thank you for instilling a love of learning in my children.
Summit has provided an environment that says “it’s okay to use
your head and not get into trouble.” Thanks to all of you!
Is Summit the Right Middle School for Me?
Students, ask yourselves these questions:
-
Are you getting good grades without much effort? Or are you getting poor
grades, but have achievement test scores that suggest you are capable of
much better work?
-
Are you often bored in class? Do your teachers often go over things you already
know? Do you wish you could learn more?
-
Do you want enrichment in the classroom, every day?
-
Without sacrificing extracurricular activities, are you willing to devote
serious time to homework? Do you want homework that is interesting and
meaningful?
-
Do you want a peer group that values academics? Do you want teachers who
are specialists in their subjects?
-
In each subject, would you like being with students of varying ages but similar
abilities and interests?
-
Would you like school to be exciting and challenging?
If you answered YES to these questions,
Summit may be the right school
for you!
We have had a child at Summit since Summit's inception.
Our two high school students were very well prepared for
high school academics. We have seen Summit's program
continue to be improved and know that the faculty, staff,
and parents will continue to work hard to fine tune the
excellent experience our children receive at Summit.
Summit's program is designed for students who need or want more challenge
and who are willing to work hard. Summit provides individual attention,
individualized course schedules, and an enriched, challenging education taught
by teachers highly proficient in their subjects. There are no entrance
requirements and students by no means have to be "gifted"; however, the needs
of gifted students are met at Summit. Summit also participates in the district's
special education program.
Summit is accountable and responsive to students and parents. Summit is governed
by a Board of Directors elected by parents, teachers, and staff. Because
of Summit's small size and mixed-age classes, students get to know each other
quickly and become part of a true community.
In my more than twenty years of working in education I have never had the
privilege of working at such an outstanding school. The students are wonderful,
the parents are involved and supportive, and the faculty and staff are
exceptionally fine people and skilled educators.
Summit is a unique and inspirational educational community.
— David Finell, principal
Summit, established in 1996, is a tuition-free, public charter school in
the Boulder Valley School District. Its mission is:
-
to provide a rigorous, academic curriculum that promotes high levels of student
effort and academic achievement
-
to foster high self-esteem through stimulating intellectual challenge and
meaningful academic accomplishment
-
to inspire in students a lifelong love of learning and a desire for
self-development
-
to create a community of peers who value scholarship, academic achievement,
and creativity
-
to serve as an excellent preparation for students intending to study in the
International Baccalaureate program and other college-preparatory high school
programs
Summit's teachers are dedicated to the growth and achievement of their students.
They work hard and demand as much or more of themselves as they do of their
students. They all teach in their areas of expertise. Summit has developed
curriculum standards with the help of nationally renowned consultants, and
continues to refine curriculum each year. Courses are aligned to conform
to these standards, which meet or exceed every state and district standard.
In addition, Summit's standards have clear, understandable benchmarks. Parents
know what their children will learn and when they will learn it.
Why has Summit demonstrated such high levels of achievement, in all areas,
year after year? First, Summit's curriculum attracts students who need or
want academic challenge and are willing to work hard. Second, through individual
attention, Summit aims to provide more than one year of academic growth for
every year students are enrolled. There are formal and informal programs
in place to provide support to students to ensure their success at
Summit.
Summit Middle School is a wonderful, safe,
and respectful environment for learning.
Individual course levels at Summit are self-selected, with guidance offered
by the teachers and the counselor. Students may take advanced classes in
some subjects and easier classes in other subjects. Accurate placement in
core subject classes is a high priority at Summit. Students are placed in
mixed-age classes according to interest, motivation, ability, developmental
level, and mastery of previous material. If a core class turns out to be
inappropriate, it is changed.
Summit's curriculum is coordinated to ensure high standards and continuity
from level to level. Students at Summit take five core courses every semester:
English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language (Spanish, French,
or German). Core subjects have an average class size of 20 students.
Seven levels of math are offered, from Pre-Algebra through honors Proof Geometry
and Algebra 2/Trigonometry, in sequences designed to meet each student's
needs and abilities. Four levels of English are offered; all include instruction
and practice in essay writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and the reading
and analysis of classic literature. The typical middle school science curriculum
is covered in two years at Summit, with two choices for more advanced science
in eighth grade. Most students will leave Summit ready to enter level III
foreign language in high school.
Summit has exceeded our expectations. Summit is concerned with our son's
academic achievements as well as his development of personal integrity and
personal responsibility.
Students take different combinations of physical education, health, and electives
each semester. Electives include exciting topics in art, music, science,
liberal arts, and technology. Most electives meet every other day. Summit
has a strong music program that emphasizes vocal and jazz ensembles as well
as beginning and select orchestra. Summit's advanced Jazz Band and select
choir, Silver Rain, are known throughout the district for performance
excellence. In art classes students learn painting, sculpture, drawing and
ceramics with an experienced art teacher.
We all love Summit and are very happy with your program. It is everything
we hoped for in a middle school — absolutely outstanding.
Thank you for all of your hard work — it is truly, truly appreciated!
One outstanding characteristic about Summit is its level of individualization
in scheduling and counseling. Flexible scheduling ensures that students receive
the courses they need while at Summit. Grades are not inflated. Hard work
is needed for achievement, and grades reflect that achievement.
As a charter school, Summit has substantial control over its courses, textbooks,
and curriculum. Since Summit receives less funding than other schools, we
rely on our annual, voluntary Tools for Learning fundraiser to help
us offer a complete middle school program. Summit does not ask its students
to sell merchandise to raise funds. All fees, including those for social
events, are waived upon request in cases of financial need.
In Spring 2003, Summit 6th, 7th, and 8th graders took the Colorado Student
Assessment Program (CSAP) tests. Summit ranked among the top of the state's
444 middle schools in every subject in every grade. The percentages of students
scoring "proficient" or "advanced" are shown in the table, along with Summit's
rank in the state.
|
Percent "Proficient" or "Advanced" and
Rank in State on 2003 CSAP Tests
|
|
Subject
|
6th Grade
|
7th Grade
|
8th Grade
|
|
Percent
|
Rank
|
Percent
|
Rank
|
Percent
|
Rank
|
|
Reading
|
98
|
5th
|
99
|
3rd
|
97
|
7th
|
|
Writing
|
96
|
4th
|
97
|
2nd
|
91
|
6th
|
|
Mathematics
|
94
|
3rd
|
86
|
4th
|
88
|
4th
|
|
Science
|
|
|
|
|
95
|
4th
|
Based on its CSAP scores, Summit has been designated a John J. Irwin Colorado
School of Excellence for four consecutive years by the Colorado Department
of Education.
Besides the CSAP, Summit gives students selected TerraNova subtests.
Average Summit students routinely score in the 80th or 90th national percentiles,
typically increase in national percentile each year, and have achievement
scores higher than would be expected based on their cognitive skills.
Summit Honored as a 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 was one
of 214 public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide, and
the only public middle school in Colorado, honored in 2003.
Summit students are active in a variety of extracurricular activities.
Opportunities offered include music, drama, yearbook, Student Council, Chess
Club, Destination Imagination, Math Olympiad, MathCounts, Quiz Bowl, National
History Day, and Science Fair.
Every year, Summit students receive recognition for participation in state
level competitions: the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair, National History
Day, and the American Mathematics Contest. Summit offers a full complement
of sports activities. Interscholastic and intramural sports include soccer,
flag football, wrestling, track and field, basketball, volleyball, and
weightlifting. Summit's sports teams are competitive with the top teams in
the district.
Summit is located in south Boulder, in the building previously occupied by
Majestic Heights Elementary School. Some modifications to the building have
been made to accommodate Summit's middle school program, including creation
of locker rooms for P.E. classes, installation of specialized wiring to provide
additional phone lines and internet access, and building a library collection
suitable for supporting Summit's program. Summit is located close to several
convenient RTD bus routes.
Many students carpool to school. Others ride city buses, ride bikes, or walk
to school. RideArrangers helps Summit parents coordinate car pools.
In the district's spring 2003 parent satisfaction survey, parents felt that
Summit was very effective in all areas: student learning, quality of staff,
asset management, continuous improvement, collaboration, and promoting
understanding. Fully 100% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that Summit
sets high and realistic expectations for their children, 98% agreed or strongly
agreed that their children felt safe at Summit, 96% agreed or strongly agreed
that their children are learning at or above the level they expected, and
92% agreed or strongly agreed that Summit provides their children with the
materials and resources necessary to learn.
Summit challenges my child's intellect while encouraging his creativity.
As a school of choice, Summit depends on families taking the initiative to
apply for admission. Our charter school welcomes students from all parts
of the Boulder Valley School District. Summit participates in the district's
open enrollment program, with offers of enrollment determined by lottery.
Parents must submit a BVSD open enrollment application to have their student
considered for the enrollment lottery. Priority is given to current Summit
students and their siblings and to siblings of Summit graduates. Most openings
will be in the 6th grade.
What Next?
If you think Summit is the right school for you, call 303-499-9511 for more
information. Also, see our schedule of events for
prospective students. Be sure to attend a school tour and a student/parent
open house. Submit a BVSD open enrollment application, indicating Summit as your choice for
middle school attendance. The deadline for submitting the BVSD application is
January 21, 2005.
Thank you for your interest in Summit. We look forward to welcoming you as
a member of our education community and helping you "Reach for the Summit!"
Students shall be considered for admission into Summit without regard
to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation,
religion, ancestry, disability, or need for special education
services.
Si desea información en español, favor de llamar al
303-494-4488.
|