Summit Academy

I have spend many hours helping out at Summit Academy. Initially I was pleased with how Summit is run and with the education my children received. However, as I became more familiar with the under-currents of Summit, I quickly found that it's not all that it claims to be. Unfortunately, much of the staff is at arms with one another (whether across grades or within the same grade) and there seems to be a constant flow of arguing amongst teachers that ends up detracting from students' education. Furthermore, I've witnessed several occurrences of teachers belittling students and/or making humiliating remarks about students' work in front of entire classrooms. These situations were amongst my last before privately confronting these issues and ultimately leaving the school. Under no circumstances should a child's "poor" school work be used as a way to teach other students how not to do an assignment. I was most especially frustrated at the lack of action the principal takes to address parental concerns. He is more concerned with appearances than the well being of the students. Poor leadership & unprofessional! Being a charter school does make this school above the average!!

Five Star Scool! My children have attended neighborhood public schools, a private school, and Summit. I can say from experiencing it all -- Summit is the BEST! The teachers, curriculum, administration, and staff are all the best! Top notch!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Summit Academy since it's opening. My youngest has been at this school since preschool, and my oldest is about to progress to the high school. I feel that the previous comments about this school only working for the 'top of the class' students is inaccurate. Both of my kids have had their struggles from time to time, and I have found their teachers to be more than supportive with them, going out of their way to help my children succeed. My oldest attended another elementary before Summit, and I can tell you she did not receive the same level of attention there. She struggled in math at her old school, and at Summit for the first year or two. Now she is scoring well above average on standardized tests, is on the honor roll, loves school and even says herself that Summit has taught her a great work ethic. Yes, this school is rigorous, but nothing worth having ever came easily. The level of work and responsibility expected of the students is reasonable and instrumental for building character and actually learning the material. Rest assured that if your children attend this school, they will be far more prepared for college than their peers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am giving Summit an average star rating only because it seems to work for some people. However, Summit has very high academic standards that do not work for my family. This school caters to children that are in the top levels of Language Arts and Math. They use ability groups and seem to only tolerate the lower level groups because they have to. One of my children stayed in the middle range and did so-so. My other child has struggled throughout all of her elementary years. The teachers at Summit do not know how to encourage or help students without making them feel bad. Some teachers are known to make children cry during class. My child has developed severe anxiety about school, because she can never make her teachers happy. Also, the amount of homework mentioned in a previous review is inaccurate. They have 20-30 mins of reading, 15 mins of math facts, math problems, and language arts work every night in every grade. Plus a monthly poem to memorize, monthly book reports and quarterly projects. If your child is at the top of their class Summit may be right for you. I know many children in the upper level classes that do well and love Summit but, I am pulling my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to a private school for nine years, and it was very challenging. The first private school I went to was good, but it was too expensive. The next private school focused more on education than interests. At Summit Academy it focuses both on academics and interests. I am challenged at this school (it is not too easy or too hard). The teachers always want us to get the best grades, and they are always there to help us. It is not difficult to fit in, because there are many students who have similar interests! The school is also college preparatory, and it also helps students reach their goals!

My student has attended Summit Academy Jr. High for the past 3 years and I couldn't be more pleased with the school. My student finds the classes engaging and I appreciate their balance between academic rigor and concern for the needs of my students. I find the principal cares about the students and is fair minded. Whenever I have issues, she is prompt and helpful and is highly accessible. The principal and staff are at all the extra curricular functions. I would highly recommend Summit Academy Jr. High.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son started at Summit Academy for 6th grade this year; the school is near-perfect for our needs. He was at a nearby ("Challenging") school (private-Sandy) for K-5, where they pushed much harder academically, so he is actually cruising (by comparison) at Summit. Plus the school is clean, friendly, well-run, and has very good extracurricular activities (dance, sports, theater/plays, etc.) to help balance the child's life. (by comparison, the private school was ALL academics - no balance). We like Summit Academy; recommended if your child is in top 25% of their class, and desires strong academics AND creative/athletic (art/music/theater/sports). One minor caveat: lack of religious diversity is (currently) a minor issue, but the overwhelming majority is a potential threat to open, creative, innovative thinking.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE this school!!! The teachers, administration, and parental involvement are stellar. We looked at several charter schools on the south end of the valley and this school was the most appropriate for our family. While I liked certain programs at others schools, this school was the most comprehensive and well-rounded. We LOVE the break ot groups and multiple teachers in each classroom. I regularly help out in the classroom and the teachers are so positive and encourage each child to perform to the best of their ability. This is an incredible school and my daughter has thrived. While there is a fair amount of homework, it is not overwhelming. My daughter actually enjoys doing the homework and I am thrilled with her progress. I appreciate the fact that they value parental feedback and my child is getting a quality education.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 5 children who have/ are currently attending Summit. The Elementary School is excellent: 5 stars. Excellent principal has produced a warm, healthy environment where students and teachers seem to be thriving. Small breakout class groups for academic topics. Teachers are wonderful. High academic standards. Consistent homework starting in Kindergarten, but always age appropriate, not overwhelming (10 min/night in K, 15 min/nigh for 1st grade, etc. with a few longer assignments, like once a month book reports). Unfortunately, the Junior High (wish I could give it 3 stars) isn't yet up to the academic standards of the elementary, and the school climate is sour in some respects. No drugs, no swearing--it's a lovely student body, but it's not a place for boys. The administration is hostile esp. to boys, sometimes parents. We've run into problems with hostile teachers also. After coming from the elementary and from a boundary jr hi where we had no problems, this was a shock and very disappointing. We keep hoping the Jr Hi will improve, but it looks unlikely without a revamp of admin.
—Submitted by a parent

My daugther has been enrolled at Summit Academy since the first grade and she is having a great educational experience. The small class sizes and individual attention that they allow the teachers and students to have is wonderful. Her little sister who will be 5 in two weeks can't wait to go to Summit next year for Kindergarten. Be prepared, the curriculum is rigorous and they push the children to excel but they are also able to take a step back and understand each childs learning method. I am thrilled to have my child/children attending Summit!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Summit since the beginning. It is a great school, with wonderful admin & teachers. It IS a rigorous academic school, but that's no secret. Many parents aren't up to the task of keeping up with their students & the work that is required of them. Being a student at Summit requires a LOT of parental involvement, and some parents aren't able to devote the time that's needed to attend. My 3 children never complain about the amt of homework, they do it, and appreciate the quality education they are getting. I do agree with the one parent review who says the lack of religious diversity is a downfall. Even some of the teachers bring religion into their classrooms. It shouldn't be allowed, but this is Utah after all, and it's a small annoyance to put up with for a good education for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

Summit was a great experience for my son. The teachers were great at teaching and very understanding. The staff at Summit academy did everything possible to make my son and the other students have a positive experience. The students and staff were very good to all of the students. I highly recommend Summit Academy to all parents and students.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former jr. high/highschool student, I find some of the teachers a bit unable to teach in ways that reach out to ALL students in the class room. Not being in the school for too long but noticing that some of the teachers teach in ways that, well, MAY happen to be understandable to a mojority of the class. I will admit, many teachers are quite great. Others will not go over what may have been forgotten but expect to have everything already known by the students as if they actually studied over the summer-- highly unlikely. Also, I'd like to point out that the teachers give quite a bit of homework, it actually cuts into time being spent with family or being able to do family activities (Birthdays, parties, etc.).

Summit Academy Jr. High is academically rigorous. The staff devotes incredible amounts of energy to creating a safe, positive environment. Parents who believe the principal is uncaring, might have students who are not willing to follow the high standards of behavior required at Summit or have not taken the time to get to know her. She is incredibly fair when dealing with student conflict and goes out of her way to get to know every child--all 400 students by face and by name! Every decision is made with great care and concern for the well-being of the students. The teachers are dedicated and strive for creative and meaningful teaching. However, Summit is not for everyone. Not every child will be capable of the rigor and not every parent may be willing to support their student in the way they need--especially at the Jr. High Level.
—Submitted by a parent

I really appreciate how Summit gears thier academic program to fit indivdual student needs instead of lumping them all together. The STAR reading program has been a great experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Summit Academy is an excellent school, offering advanced curriculum, small class sizes and hands on learning. My daughter is going to be in 3rd grade next year, and we have been very impressed with her education so far. She is learning the same things that neighborhood kids who are two grades ahead and attend public schools are learning. Everyone tells me how smart she is - I tell them that it's the school, if children are expected to be able to do these things, they do! Summit has rigorous requirements of their teachers, including that at least 99% be licensed - not a requirement at many schools! The staff is very well acquainted with the student body, the principal knows most students by name. This is a very involved school with a faculty that genuinely cares about the students.
—Submitted by a parent

The Elementary Principal is excellent however, the Jr. High Principal at Summit Academy struggles with irritability and disinterest with the kids. I've contacted the School Exec. Director about this and although he himself is very personable and a good Director I'm not sure why this Principal is allowed to behave this way. As the leader of the Jr. High she sets the unhappy tone there. This negative environment is unfortunate for an otherwise academically good school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Summit since the school began. A student will learn a lot at Summit but a big expense. The homework cuts into family free time. The teachers give homework assignments that require typing but the school has not offered proper technical instructin in the elementary grades. My child is leaving this school and is not retuning for middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former middle school student at Summit Academy, I can say that this school was not meant for middle school students. They excel in lower grade learning but lack the credentials to cover all of the bases we need to go into high-school. Overall they are great in teaching elementary school subjects, but aren't very great in teaching more difficult middle school activities, or relating (and managing) the middle school school students.
—Submitted by a student

Summit Academy is a public Charter School with a focus on rigorous academics. My children have attended this school since its opening. We worked through the many changes the school has made and find that every year the school gets better. The curriculum has always remained a constant. We love school uniforms! We especially love the break-out classes which focus on multiple intelligence for language arts and math. The class sizes are small 25-27 students with one teacher and one part time instructor. Not a lot of extracurricular activities available currently. Parent involvement is huge at Summit and always welcome. A negative that we find at this school is the lack of diversity. Especially religious diversity. Most of the teachers and students belong to the same religion and discuss it openly. This polarizes my children. That aside, the school is moving in the right direction and becoming larger.
—Submitted by a parent