Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten
The timeless adage, “Everything I needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten,” holds more truth today than ever before. As education trends shift toward earlier academic rigor, Kindergarten remains a cornerstone of whole-child development, blending foundational academics, social-emotional learning, and joyful discovery. At The Summit Preparatory School, our progressive Kindergarten program sets the stage for […]
Navigating the Education Maze:
Independent Schools Offer a Compelling Alternative to Homeschooling
In the wake of the pandemic-induced shift to remote learning, homeschooling has emerged as a formidable alternative to traditional schooling for many families across the United States. Yet, as parents seek personalized, flexible, and supportive educational environments for their children, independent schools stand out as a compelling option. These institutions provide a unique blend of […]
Unleashing Potential: Empowering Scholars in Our Independent High School Program
At The Summit Preparatory School, our small, private, independent high school program is committed to empowering scholars and shaping future-ready individuals who will make a positive impact on their communities and the world. Central to our ethos is the belief that every student is a unique individual with the potential for extraordinary achievements. We prioritize […]
Learning Across Grade Levels
From the mid-19th to the early 20th century, one-room schoolhouses served as the infrastructure of American education in rural communities. Enduring as a symbol of the past, one-room schoolhouses often stir up idealized images reminiscent of Laura Ingalls’s childhood including slate chalkboards, inkwells, children of all ages, and pot-belly stoves. A similar phenomenon began in […]
Student Well-Being at The Summit
At The Summit, we utilize a progressive approach to education that values and supports the whole person. A focus on the whole person means just that– supporting every facet of a student’s well-being from their desire to be academically inspired, supported, and challenged to their development in emotional, physical, and inquiry skills. A culture of […]
Educating the Whole Child: Mindfulness Curriculum at The Summit
At The Summit, our students receive more than a diploma. Our curriculum and classrooms are designed to value the whole child and focus on not only challenging students’ academic growth but also supporting their social and emotional development, character, and sense of community. Character education is integrated each day as students learn cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, […]
Alumni Voices: Interviews on College Preparedness from The Summit’s Class of 2020
McKenzie Blakey receives her diploma from Head of School, Kathryn M. Heet, Ed.D (July 2020).At The Summit, our high school program is aimed at preparing students for success in college and beyond. Our progressive, inquiry-based model focuses on student-led, project-based learning through a challenging, integrated curriculum with opportunities for experiential learning and community engagement. Summit […]
Small, Independent, Progressive: Why Choose an Independent School?
Selecting a private school for your child can be a daunting task for parents given the variety of options and educational philosophies to consider, including independent, parochial, laboratory, charter, Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and more. Springfield, Missouri offers several private education opportunities with The Summit serving as the only fully-accredited independent school offering five days […]
Little Hands, Big Minds: Explore The Summit’s Early Learners Program
In Fall 2020, The Summit piloted a new early childhood education program, combining our former Beginners class (ages 3-4) and PreKindergarten class (ages 4-5) into one multi-age Early Learners class. This combined program model, led by experienced childhood educators Mrs. Melissa Kimmons and Mrs. Linda Michaliszyn, focuses on providing a strong, supportive educational and social-emotional […]
¡Ven Conmigo! ¡Mira The Summit Difference!
At The Summit, we see things differently. Our mission is to prepare learners for success by providing a progressive education with a challenging curriculum in a supportive environment. We refer to our unique approach to education as The Summit Difference. To achieve this mission, we have adopted three factors that set us apart. We are […]