High School

What distinguishes The Summit Preparatory School from other high school programs is our commitment to empowering each student as a unique scholar, emphasizing a holistic educational approach that balances rigorous academic excellence with personal growth, leadership, and community engagement.

Our small class sizes and personalized learning environment ensure that every student not only excels academically but also thrives in developing critical life skills such as resilience, empathy, and innovation. We offer a flexible curriculum that encourages students to pursue their interests through student-led initiatives and co-curricular partnerships with teachers, enhancing their learning experience and preparing them for the complexities of the modern world.

Additionally, our program’s focus on global perspectives and inclusivity fosters a diverse learning community where students are prepared to navigate and contribute positively to a multi-faceted world. This comprehensive support system, combined with opportunities for real-world application through community projects and leadership roles, sets our students apart as future-ready leaders equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.

The high school curriculum at our school is meticulously crafted to be both challenging and integrated, providing students with a comprehensive educational experience that spans core subjects such as mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies. This curriculum is designed to create meaningful connections between disciplines, fostering a holistic understanding of concepts and encouraging students to apply knowledge across different domains. By promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills, our approach prepares students for the academic demands of higher levels of education while instilling a lifelong love for learning.

In addition to a robust core curriculum, our school proudly offers a wide array of elective courses that are driven by student interests and passions. These electives provide opportunities for students to explore areas such as digital media, performing arts, advanced sciences, technology, entrepreneurship, and more. These courses are constantly evolving, reflecting the changing interests and emerging trends in the student body and the broader world.

We also recognize the importance of providing students with opportunities to advance their education beyond the high school level. Our dual credit and dual enrollment program allows students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. These programs are offered in partnership with local and online higher education institutions, enabling students to earn college credits that are transferable to many universities. This not only gives our students a head start on their college education but also offers them a real-world glimpse into college-level academics.

To enrich our curriculum further, we integrate field trips and community partnerships, fostering real-world applications and leadership opportunities. These immersive learning experiences are designed to complement our rigorous academic offerings and help prepare our students for college and beyond.

New! Beginning in Fall 2024, The Summit will be launching its new Outdoor Education program. This program will offer students unique opportunities to connect with nature, cultivate environmental awareness, and develop essential life skills. Activities will include outdoor adventures, team-building exercises, environmental studies, and hands-on learning experiences aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Progressive education is an educational philosophy that emphasizes student-centered learning, critical thinking, and holistic development. It focuses on adapting teaching methods to each students’ needs, fostering creativity, and promoting social responsibility. Progressive education values experiential learning, collaboration, and active engagement, aiming to prepare students for a dynamic and evolving world.

Click here to learn more about progressive education at The Summit. 

We maintain small class sizes (capped at eighteen students) to ensure individualized attention and a supportive learning environment with meaningful student-teacher interactions. High school students have dedicated faculty for core disciplines including science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts, alongside the opportunity to earn additional credits through specialized instruction in Spanish, art, music, STEM, outdoor education, physical education, archery, and yoga.

Additionally, our program is enhanced by individualized college counseling from our Guidance Counselor and academic advisement from our Upper School Director. These services are tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each student, helping them to navigate their academic journey and prepare for future college and career opportunities. This comprehensive support system not only focuses on academic excellence but also on the personal and professional growth of our students, ensuring they are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Yes, our high school courses are taught at an honors level, and we provide robust opportunities for our high school students to engage in additional advanced and specialized classes through our dual credit and dual enrollment program. These programs are designed to assist students in the transition to college-level academics and expectations as well as give students a head start in earning college credits while still in high school. 

Students can take advantage of dual credit courses here on our Summit campus, taught by qualified instructors who meet the accreditation standards for college-level teaching. For those looking to immerse themselves directly in the university environment, we also offer dual enrollment options at local universities. For students who prefer or require more flexible scheduling, courses are also available online, ensuring all our students can benefit from advanced learning opportunities.

To support and encourage our high school students to enroll in these advanced courses, The Summit offers a dual credit and dual enrollment reimbursement stipend. This financial support is designed to make these valuable opportunities more accessible to all our students, helping them to advance their academic careers and reduce future college expenses.

For more detailed information about our dual credit and dual enrollment program, including the reimbursement stipend, please refer to our Dual Credit and Enrollment Policy.

Student learning is measured throughout the school year using a variety of methods tailored to evaluate and enhance students’ comprehension and mastery of content. These methods include observations, work samples, project work, presentations, quizzes, tests, and written assessments. This comprehensive approach allows educators to gather detailed insights into each student’s learning needs and their progress toward mastering the curriculum.

In addition to our regular assessment methods, we also place a strong emphasis on preparing students for future academic challenges, including standardized tests. To support our students in achieving their best possible outcomes, we offer specialized ACT test prep workshops. These workshops are designed to equip students with effective strategies for tackling the various sections of the ACT, including English, mathematics, reading, science, and the optional writing test. The workshops not only cover test-taking strategies but also include practice sessions and feedback to help students identify and strengthen areas where they need improvement.

Operating on a semester basis, the high school conducts parent-teacher conferences at least four times each year. These meetings, held before school, near the end of the first semester, a student-led conference in the second semester, and an optional end-of-year conference provide a formal setting to discuss student progress. Progress reports including letter grades and narrative assessments are shared with families at the end of each semester. Some elective courses may be assessed as a pass or fail. 

Official transcripts may be requested through our College Counseling page on our website.

The Summit is committed to providing students with a supportive learning environment. While some accommodations are readily implemented due to small class sizes and a progressive approach to learning, The Summit reserves the right to determine when accommodations are not possible and may make recommendations for outside support services or alternate learning environments. The Summit does not provide in-house evaluations or employ paraprofessionals for 1-1 academic or behavioral support.

Our school is committed to nurturing both academic excellence and the development of well-rounded individuals. We create safe, welcoming communities within our classrooms where respectful discourse and diversity are celebrated. This approach prepares students for the wider world by instilling values of community and shared responsibility. Additionally, leadership opportunities and service learning projects further develop crucial life skills, fostering meaningful connections among students and faculty and guiding both academic and personal development.

Our school fosters a positive learning environment that prioritizes building respectful relationships and promoting self-discipline. Teachers utilize proactive strategies, encouraging students to take ownership of their behavior. We emphasize logical consequences and model empathy, fostering a sense of responsibility. Our goal is to create a supportive community where students feel valued, heard, and empowered to make positive choices. Through collaborative efforts between staff, students, and parents, we aim to cultivate a culture of mutual respect, resilience, and continuous growth.

Ensuring the safety of our students is a top priority, and we have stringent safety protocols in place, including trained staff, secure facilities, and regular age-appropriate safety drills.

In High School, technology is meaningfully woven into daily lessons, enhancing learning through one-to-one device access. Students engage in inquiry and project-based learning, utilizing laptops to conduct research, create documents, and collaborate on various tasks. The integration of G Suite for Education, including Google Classroom, enables cross-platform document sharing, group project management, collaborative document editing, peer review, and effective telecommunication. This approach not only equips students with essential tech skills but also fosters a dynamic and interactive learning environment. For more information on specific technology tools or platforms used in the classrooms, please visit www.thesummitprep.org/technology.

We offer varied optional extracurricular activities to complement the core curriculum and provide additional enrichment opportunities. The Summit is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) and offers a variety of sports and activities driven by student interest. Extracurricular activities for high school students have included swimming and diving, golf, cross country, track and field, e-sports, speech and debate, All-Stars rock band, and more. 

In addition to these offerings, we actively encourage our students to engage in leadership development through partnerships with local organizations. These opportunities include participating in the Leadership Academy, GO CAPS, Medical Explorers, and other community-based programs. Such initiatives not only enhance our students’ leadership skills but also connect them with real-world experiences and networking opportunities in various professional fields. These experiences are integral to fostering a well-rounded educational environment that prepares students to be proactive, responsible, and informed leaders in their communities.

Prospective families are encouraged to register for our Sr. Camp Raven (6th-12th grade) summer program. Led by enthusiastic instructors, our engaging camp sessions center around themes in art, music, movement, STEM, and more, providing a vibrant and enriching experience for our learners and their friends. Click here for more information on Sr. Camp Raven.

Yes, we encourage parental involvement through regular updates on our classroom blogs, school events, classroom celebrations, and opportunities to participate in our parent organization.

The Summit’s High School program is strategically designed to prepare students for successful transitions to college, career readiness, and beyond. Our rigorous academic curriculum, enhanced by small class sizes and personalized instruction, ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of higher education. Students can earn college credits through dual credit and dual enrollment programs, gaining a head start on their college education while reducing future expenses.

Our curriculum also emphasizes the development of critical life skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and adaptability. Leadership opportunities and community engagement projects enable students to develop essential leadership qualities and civic-mindedness.

Additionally, our comprehensive guidance counseling services support students through the college application process, career exploration, and personal challenges. This personalized support helps students make informed decisions about their future, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Overall, The Summit Preparatory School prepares students not just academically, but also socially and personally, fostering a well-rounded future readiness for the next stages of their lives.

For more information on colleges and universities where Summit graduates have matriculated, please visit our Alumni page. 

Details regarding the admission process, criteria, and any required documentation can be found on our website here or by contacting our admissions office.