GRADES 9-12
Upper School
The Summit School’s high school provides students a chance to discover their learning styles and develop strategies in time management, organization, and study skills. These strategies enable our students to become independent and successful learners during both their high school years and in their future endeavors in post-secondary programs.
UPPER SCHOOL
Academics
Summit’s Upper School follows NYS Education Department curriculum and standards. Students must earn a minimum of 22 credits and pass five Regents examinations in order to graduate with a NYS Regents diploma.
Work-Based Learning
One of the unique educational aspects setting The Summit School apart from other academic high schools is its Work-Based Learning Program. Our students 14 and older have the opportunity to work in a variety of occupational settings where they learn foundational skills in addition to workplace etiquette and teamwork for successful transition to life after high school.
Nearly all of Summit’s students graduate with Regents diplomas and go on to attend college. The combination of rigorous academics with relevant work experience that students receive at Summit allows them to graduate with an impressive academic transcript and resume.
If you want to learn more about our program or have any questions, please contact:
Tara Pino
Upper School Assistant Principal
Director of Work-Based Learning Programs and Transportation
Telephone 718-264-2931 x213
Fax 718-264-3030
Email tpino@summitqueens.com
Win-Win
Participation is also a great way for business leaders to help the future generation of employees
by cultivating a more prepared and responsible workforce.
Technology Program
The Summit School recognizes the role information technology plays as a valuable tool in supporting our educational program. Our vision is to create a learning environment in which all learners are technologically literate and have the necessary skills to successfully achieve their personal, educational, and workplace goals.
Art Program
Summit’s art program follows the NYS high school diploma requirements. Our students study traditional art, such as drawing and painting as well as graphic design. Students learn about art history and take virtual field trips to museums not only in New York City, but around the world.
Music Program
The music program at The Summit School meets the NYS high school diploma requirements. Music appreciation consists of film music analysis, popular music history in its cultural context, classical music history, and world music. The core of our elective music program is a songwriting workshop. Students bring to the process their own components, including melodies, lyrics, chord structures, and styles. Other student musicians participate in the collaboration process. In this teacher-guided workshop, all aspects of songwriting are explored for a final rendering of a student’s artistic expression. At year’s end, our young songwriters and musicians have a chance to perform at a school wide concert. Students have a chance to record their songs in our recording studio, while others provide the technological enhancements using state-of-the-art music editing applications.
Physical & Health Education
Physical education introduces students to activities and pursuits that encourage a lifetime participation in physical fitness. The physical education program at Summit consists of social team activities, such as basketball, softball, floor hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Participants learn teamwork, time management, and leadership skills.
High school students complete coursework in health education which includes understanding human growth, development, and sexuality, promoting healthy development, and applying strategies to reduce the risk of potential problems into adulthood.
RELATED SERVICES
A Collaborative Team Approach
Related services are an integral part of The Summit School’s philosophy of providing a collaborative, team-oriented approach towards a student’s overall development. Our service providers work closely with classroom teachers to ensure each student’s success. The Summit School offers Counseling, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language services.
Counseling
At Summit, school-based counseling is provided by our licensed clinicians during individual and small group sessions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, frustration and stress management, social skills instruction, and self-esteem enhancement are among the methods used. Students learn specific strategies to help them sustain appropriate student behavior, develop and use positive coping strategies, successfully problem solve, and establish and maintain appropriate peer relationships. Developing time management, study, and organizational skills are also a focus of counseling. Clinicians work collaboratively with all members of the school community, parents, and outside service providers to help students participate to their fullest potential.
Occupational Therapy
Working closely with classroom teachers, Summit’s occupational therapists address areas that may interfere with a student’s educational performance. These include fine and gross motor skills, oral motor function, visual motor and perceptual abilities, sensory awareness and processing, self-care, and prevocational requisites. A variety of intervention strategies are implemented. Handwriting support and the use of assistive technology are also a major focus of the occupational therapy program. Students are seen for individual and small group sessions depending on their related services mandates.
Speech & Language Services
Speech/language pathologists work closely with teachers to help students manage the language demands of the curriculum. Weekly pragmatic language classes at the Lower School and social skills modules at the Upper School enhance essential social communication abilities.
The major goals of the speech and language department are to:
Improve receptive and expressive language skills necessary for academic success in both oral and written modalities
Facilitate pragmatic language skills for social/emotional growth and development
Effectively partner with school staff and families to ensure generalization of skills and strategies
Students are seen for individual and small group sessions, depending on their service mandates. All clinicians are licensed by New York State and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
- STUDENT ACTIVITIES
National Honor Society
The Summit School has been a chapter member of the National Honor Society since 1997. The National Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, the NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Interscholastic Sports
Summit School co-ed team members compete in four sports in the Metro League. All practice and competition is scheduled outside of school hours.
• Soccer (fall)
• Basketball (winter)
• Track and Field (spring)
• Softball (spring)Other student activities and projects
• Student Council
• Spirit Week
• Student socials for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day
• Student Field Day/Picnic
• Senior year activities include a prom, a senior class trip, a ring ceremony, and a graduation ceremony - GUIDANCE COUNSELING
Our Guidance Department’s mission is to promote students’ academic, social, and emotional development. We also assist in developing their post-secondary plan within the collaborative environment of The Summit School community.
Post-secondary counseling is an essential component of our Guidance Department. It is the guidance counselor’s role to assist families in navigating the college and/or vocational choices.
The Junior Year: In the fall of the junior year, parents and students begin the process by attending our Post-Secondary Planning Workshop in which they learn about the college, technical, and vocational options available to our students. Parents also receive a Junior Handbook that provides detailed information on all aspects of the college selection process and other post-secondary options and becomes a frequently used reference. In the spring of the junior year, individual transition meetings are scheduled with students, parents, and Summit staff. A list of recommended colleges and/or programs is provided based on the students’ academic records and performance, interests, standardized test scores, as well as social and emotional needs. The junior year transition meeting is the first of several brainstorming sessions made available to families. Another transition meeting is scheduled in the fall of the senior year.
The Senior Year: Throughout the senior year, the guidance counselor facilitates the application process to assist the student in constructing a strong representation of his/her academic, vocational, and personal achievements to an admissions committee. The ultimate goal of our Guidance Department is to help students determine the best match between the students’ aptitude, abilities, and aspirations and a post-secondary outcome.
Other services provided by the Guidance Department:
• Maintain the official high school transcript, ensuring that graduation requirements are met, and review diploma options with students
• Act as liaison between students and the
City University of New York’s College Now Program
• Maintain a library of publications on careers, colleges, and college majors, and guide students in the use of Internet resources for career and college exploration
• Provide timeline for college planning in junior and senior years
• Explore college majors and careers with students, and conduct college/program searches using online and print reference books
• Write counselor recommendations and assist students in writing college essays and obtaining teacher recommendations
• Coordinate college fairs and in-school visits from college admissions representatives
• Meet individually with juniors and seniors throughout the year to oversee the college application process
• Conduct workshop for parents of seniors in the fall to outline the college application process
• Assist students and families in the scholarship, financial aid, and application process
• Assist with registration and score review for PSAT, SAT, and ACT
A RESTAURANT ANALOGY
Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Watch Upper School Director of Work-Based Learning and Transportation, Tara Pino, talk about her “why”.
Interested in applying?
The Summit School serves children sponsored by local school districts in New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. Summit admits special needs children from third grade through high school. To begin the process of applying for enrollment, please click on the button below to learn more about the admission process and to download our application packet.
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