Application and Admission Process

Begin Your Path to The Summit

Families might choose to enroll their children in a private or independent school education setting for a variety of personal and philosophical reasons. If you are looking for a truly progressive learning environment that benefits from small class sizes and that strives to cultivate each student’s ability to think critically and adapt quickly, we invite you to learn more about our school by contacting us to schedule a tour.

Watch the video below to see why our families, students, and faculty love The Summit!

Our 5 Step Admissions Process

Wondering when you can apply? At The Summit, we are always excited to meet and welcome new families, so we use a rolling admissions cycle where new students can apply at any time during the year.

If you’re wondering how to apply and what you need to do to get your application ready, our 5-step application process helps give us a broad understanding of each candidate’s unique considerations. Here’s what to expect during this process:

1. Complete our online application and pay the $75 application fee.

2. The Summit will request teacher reference(s) and transcripts for those candidates who have previously attended a school, preschool, or daycare.

3. After official records are received, the candidate will be evaluated over two days consisting of both a social visit and an age-appropriate academic screening.

4. A family interview will be scheduled for the parent(s)/guardian(s) during screening time.

5. Following a formal admission offer from The Summit, parent(s)/guardian(s) will respond with a completed enrollment contract and tuition deposit to secure their student’s space in the class.*

No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability/handicap, or religion, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in admission to the school’s educational programs, activities, and services, and in employment opportunities.

Why Choose an Independent School?

Individual attention. Close, inclusive culture. Deeper learning. There are so many benefits to choosing an independent education at any grade level. As a private school, The Summit can offer a more individualized academic experience, including smaller class sizes, independent curriculum, and progressive approaches to education. Independent schools offer unique learning opportunities for students and a close-knit, supportive community that you may not find in other schools. See answers to some of the most frequent questions asked by parents by clicking on the article below, from our Trending in Education blog.

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 of seated instruction...

“We knew Summit was the right school for our son during our initial tour and our experiences during his first year proved as much. Summit's expansive programs have provided him with the space to explore his interests and lean into his newfound love for STEM activities even as an Early Learner. Additionally, Summit does a wonderful job of encouraging a welcoming and safe community by fostering emotional intelligence and independence which have helped our son build confidence both within his learning and relationships. Summit's staff, teachers, and programs are undoubtedly setting our son on an exciting path of enriched learning, and we are very thankful for their presence in our community.”

“Looking back, I think The Summit is strongest at simulating the college environment, where the student ultimately has responsibility for the quality of their work. In that way, there's less safety net than a more traditional middle/high school experience, which allows more room to experiment and the student is able to mature on their own by independently making better choices.”

"What we love about The Summit is that they value personalized education, allowing teachers the flexibility to delve deeper into subjects based on student interest. This tailored approach builds confidence in our children, evident in their ease in conversing with both adults and peers, a testament to the unique opportunities provided at The Summit compared to traditional schooling."

“The Summit has provided a lot of areas of growth for me. I have improved myself academically and I feel a lot more confident in my writing abilities. I have also learned to enjoy class and be invested in it; when I was younger, I thought class was just to get a better grade or to move on ot the next subject. In reality, it can be very interesting and just something you want to explore further on your own."

“The diverse array of projects that we did at The Summit definitely helped me come up with creative solutions to problems in college. Whether it be developing study strategies or completing open-ended assignments, I feel that I was well-equipped from my Summit education.”

Have an Elementary, Middle, or High School International Student?

The Summit is currently accepting students with J-1 or F-1 visas for enrollment. For more information, and to start the application and admissions process for your international student, please contact us using the form below.

“We knew Summit was the right school for our son during our initial tour and our experiences during his first year proved as much. Summit's expansive programs have provided him with the space to explore his interests and lean into his newfound love for STEM activities even as an Early Learner. Additionally, Summit does a wonderful job of encouraging a welcoming and safe community by fostering emotional intelligence and independence which have helped our son build confidence both within his learning and relationships. Summit's staff, teachers, and programs are undoubtedly setting our son on an exciting path of enriched learning, and we are very thankful for their presence in our community.”

“Looking back, I think The Summit is strongest at simulating the college environment, where the student ultimately has responsibility for the quality of their work. In that way, there's less safety net than a more traditional middle/high school experience, which allows more room to experiment and the student is able to mature on their own by independently making better choices.”

“The Summit has prepared me in many ways for my time in college. Thanks to The Summit, I am very confident during public speaking and presentations. The Summit also prepared me for working with other people on group projects... I was involved in several dual enrollment/dual credit classes at The Summit, and I felt like they were incredibly helpful. They helped give me a better idea of both the workload and expectations of a college course. I also really appreciate The Summit’s flexibility, which allowed me to take a few college classes at Drury University. I would highly recommend that high school students take full advantage of dual enrollment/dual credit opportunities. I was very grateful to enter college with some credits already completed."

“The Summit has prepared me in many ways for my time in college. Thanks to The Summit, I am very confident during public speaking and presentations. The Summit also prepared me for working with other people on group projects... I was involved in several dual enrollment/dual credit classes at The Summit, and I felt like they were incredibly helpful. They helped give me a better idea of both the workload and expectations of a college course. I also really appreciate The Summit’s flexibility, which allowed me to take a few college classes at Drury University. I would highly recommend that high school students take full advantage of dual enrollment/dual credit opportunities. I was very grateful to enter college with some credits already completed."

“The Summit has prepared me in many ways for my time in college. Thanks to The Summit, I am very confident during public speaking and presentations. The Summit also prepared me for working with other people on group projects... I was involved in several dual enrollment/dual credit classes at The Summit, and I felt like they were incredibly helpful. They helped give me a better idea of both the workload and expectations of a college course. I also really appreciate The Summit’s flexibility, which allowed me to take a few college classes at Drury University. I would highly recommend that high school students take full advantage of dual enrollment/dual credit opportunities. I was very grateful to enter college with some credits already completed."

“The Summit has provided a lot of areas of growth for me. I have improved myself academically and I feel a lot more confident in my writing abilities. I have also learned to enjoy class and be invested in it; when I was younger, I thought class was just to get a better grade or to move on ot the next subject. In reality, it can be very interesting and just something you want to explore further on your own."

“The diverse array of projects that we did at The Summit definitely helped me come up with creative solutions to problems in college. Whether it be developing study strategies or completing open-ended assignments, I feel that I was well-equipped from my Summit education.”

Contact Us

We’re ready to welcome you and your student into The Summit Preparatory School family. If you’re ready to be part of a supportive, independent academic setting focused on lifelong learning and success, schedule a tour with us today. We’d also be happy to answer any additional questions you may have through the contact form below.