Research Summit K-12 public Schools in Seattle, Washington

“Summit K-12 has been an incredible place for my 3 children to learn and grow. It has also provided a sense of stability as their home life changed a couple of years ago. I hope that if the School Board decided to kill the program that another K-12 will soon rise to meet the unique need for it.”

“My child is new to Summit this year. She is in 10th grade and formally went to a very large high school in Bellevue. At her former school my daughter felt left out, and overwhelmed by the constant focus on competitive academic acheivement and test scores. This approach to successful learning, for her, was a disaster. she suffered anxiety, failed her classes and started skipping school. Summit is nothing short of a Godsend for her. Here she feels welcome and supported by teachers, staff and students. She loves going to school everyday and is learning how to be not only successful academically, but as a whole person. This school is not for everyone, but if your child does not ' fit the mold' they will find a home here.”

“summit is a fantastic school, it have great electives and is a great choice because you feel so close to it.”

“Summit school has a progressive K-12 liberal arts curriculum, linking elementary, middle and high school students. Unlike many schools in public districts, there is a lot of passion for both the students, the arts and the desire to guide children to think for themselves and want to create a love for education! It is a great school!”

“I personally go to Summit K-12. It is very good for my 2 children who go here. One is in 10th grade, the other, 5th. They both have gone here since Kindergarten and are very happy. Its nice to have the individual attention that it gives, and the prgrams it offers, Such as Running Start, Steel Drun, the Musicals, and Swing Dance. I love having my kids go here.”

“I just wanted to share my experience regarding Summit k-12 in Seattle, WA. Summit k-12 is an alternative school choice in Seattle, Wa and is only 1 of 4 that are considered city wide meaning they will send a bus anywhere in the district to pick up/take home children who attend. The school is by application only and has a small student population. The school s focus in on the arts and this is apparent looking everywhere on the walls and when you come to listen to the many performances given by its students. The school is not for everyone, in that the community that attends is not wealthy but it is very caring and a strong family value prevails (which is not often seen in the more affluent neighborhoods/schools). Everyone gets a chance to take part in choir, virtually free swimming lessons, karate, skiing, and fashion design classes and to many other forms of art, lessons or sports to mention. The principal is wonderful and the enrollment person, Elizabeth, is completely caring, committed and devoted to making the school flow and successful. Not many schools exist like this anymore! Great Job Summit k-12!”

“summit has a great academic program espechially in the arts. many different choices of art classes ( ceramics, graphic arts etc)there is a whole lot of parent involvement that makes it a great environment for everybody.”

“Summit, in my experience, has been great for an integrated, arts-oriented elementary experience. My son is thriving with the caliber of teaching (particularly math), the culture of inclusiveness and anti-bullying, and the whole learning focus, where reading, math, etc. are taught within a single topic, such as castles or Egypt. We find the combination of all K-12 fine, with older kids looking out for younger ones. There are great art programs, particularly in the areas of dance, theater and steel drums.”

“As a graduating student from Summit K-12, I am really able to look back and evaluate my high school education. While I feel that Summit needs a more rigorous high school program, they do offer alternatives such as taking classes at Nathan Hale High and local community colleges (through the Running Start Program). I was able to build relationships with my teachers at Summit that I know never would have happned at other schools. The high school is for self-motivated individuals who will value from a small atmosphere. Here, I was able to be involved in ceramics, art, photo, yearbook, basketball, softball, and volleyball among others. Overall my experience was a positive one.”

“Great art and music programs. Students have access to dance classes, movement and other art forms. Only problem is that all teachers/classes are not taught in the same way. There is not a school wide curriculum, so it is hit or miss depending on your child's teacher. Some teachers use a more traditional teaching approach, others are more progressive and hands on. There is a high level of parent support. This is a great school for K-6, parents might think about another school for middle and high school. I plan on having my child continue, due to the small class sizes in the highschool and the homey feeling of the school, but many parents want a more rounded high school experience (more/better sports teams, etc.) Wonderful school!”

“At summit, my children are both inadequetly challenged, and inadequetly provided for. the school lacks spirit, individuality, and income, just to name a few. the school profess's that it is an 'alternative' school, when its two art programs (art and swing dance) are not wanted by most, and nothing special. the extracurricular activities are... kindly put, horrible. my daughter informed the funnest thing they had last year was knitting. this might seem normal, but she hates knitting. she says 'it was the only thing better than taking the bus home.' oh,about the busses, they're constantly late, leaving my two kids thirty minutes overdue on average, and are overcrowded because the school is so poor they have to share with AS #1. I advise you gravely against this school.”

“We were attracted to Summit by the small size, the family feel and the ability to stay from K-12th. Unfortunately alternative schools are not given adaquate support in the district. Many programs which originally attracted us to Summit have been cut or cut-back, and new teachers to the district and/or Summit are fighting parents efforts to retain/regain them. The new principal this year has been working hard to get more professional teachers and teaching in the building. Key parents work very hard to raise money to support students and staff. However the size of Summit has increased each year ( not by building choice but by forced assignment) and teachers have difficulty managing increased class sizes . It may still be called an alternative school, but families may wonder what is alternative about it now.”

“We are moving and will miss Summit! My duaghter has developed an incredible bond with her teachers and staff, she has been challenged and developed an incredible self-esteem, I'm greatfull! Thank you Summit K12!”