ERIKKA BENHART, HEAD OF SCHOOLS, SUMMIT SCHOOLS & STUDENTS JACK BICKEL, LAUREL NOREUIL AND DAVIDE BENSELLINI
Summit Schools is an independent, coeducational Preschool and Pre-K-5 grade school located in Cedar Rapids. Founded in June 1998, Summit offers an academic program that is traditional and well-rounded, continuing to build upon the quality educational foundation established by Linn Academy and McLeod Academy. With around 140 students in the traditional school setting, classes are limited to 16 students and the student to teacher ration is 8:1. Summit is fully accredited by the Iowa Department of Education and is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of parents and community leaders.
Erikka Benhart was accompanied by three students from Summit. Jack Bickel is the grandson of Rotarian John Bickel and Laurel Noreuil is the daughter of Rotarian Dr. Todd Noreuil.
Jack Bickel, 3rd grader at Summit
I first attended Summit in preschool. I went to another school for kindergarten and part of 1st grade. I returned to Summit for half of 1st grade and plan to stay until I complete 5th grade.
In my classroom at Summit, we have 11 students this year. The School Board has decided that only 16 students can be in each class. At other schools, there are many more students making it very noisy and hart to hear the teacher. I really enjoy learning new things and working as a class to succeed at our goals. Summit has helped me to enjoy learning at levels that fit me. My favorite thing about Summit is teachers want me to be good at everything but at my own level. The one that fits just me.
Davide Bersellini, 4th grader at Summit
(In Italian) My name is Davide Bersellini. I am in 4th grade at Summit Schools. Oh, oh excuse me. I should speak to you in English. My name is Davide Bersellini. I am in 4th grade at Summit Schools. I have attended Summit since 3rd grade. My family moved to the United States from Italy last year when my dad took a job her in Cedar Rapids. When I first came to Summit, I did not speak or read much English at all. With the help of my teachers and my parents, I can read any book I want to! I really enjoy coming to Summit because it is a good school for me. Summit has helped me to learn English fast.
My favorite thing about Summit is the learning. I learn a lot and everything that I am learning I need. When I went back to Italy this summer, I was able to go back to my old school. I told my old classmates about all my new friends and how my teacher makes us laugh. She will point out if you need to improve so you can do it right the next time. My old classmates were surprised at what I could say to them in English.
Laurel Noreuil, 3rd grader at Summit
My name is Laurel Noreuil. I am in 3rd grade at Summit Schools. I have attended Summit since I can remember. I think it was pre-k. I really enjoy being at Summit because it teaches me important skills that I will use for the rest of my life. Summit has helped me to learn new skills each year so that I can reach my goals in 3rd grade in the future.
My favorite things about Summit are the Science units because you get to do activities and awesome experiments. Another thing I like about Summit is meeting new friends. My Summit friends are helpful when I need it and fun to play with at recess.
Erikka Benhart
Tuition at the school is not cheap. Pre-Kindergarten tuition is $5,580 annually and Kindergarten to Fifth Grade Tuition is $6,942 annually. However, Summit students are making nearly 2 years growth in one school year by all learners – gifted, traditional and those with leaning differences. The school is in the top 1 percent nationally in overall performance, is 100% proficient in reading, math and science and 91% of this year’s 3rd-5th grade students qualified for the Belin-Blank Center – the University of Iowa’s Gifted and Talented program.
Benhart describes Summit as an alternative educational choice completing the educational picture in Cedar Rapids. It is for children who are not reaching their full potential elsewhere. This may be because they are gifted and are not being challenged, because they are average, but not receiving the extra attention because there are too many other students, or because they learn differently and are not being taught using the proper strategies. 35% of Summit students are classified as Gifted Learners (those scoring in the 95%ile on ITBS and/or MAP tests), 50% are classified as Traditional Learners (those scoring between 34%ile – 66%ile (average) and 66%ile – 94%ile (above average) on the ITBS and or MAP and 15% classified as Other Types of Learners (those with specialized education plans/accommodations).
Summit is ethnically diverse with 17 different languages spoken in the homes of its students. Over one-fifth of the student population is Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander. Without Summit, Cedar Rapids would be the only large community in Iowa to not have such an offering. From a business recruiting perspective, families are looking for an option like Summit when they make employment choices.
Summit has additional programming for children. Tutoring is available for individuals and small groups. Diagnostic and prescriptive educational evaluations are available from State Certified school psychologists and educational experts in the areas of dyslexia and learning disorders. Summer camps are also available for recreational and educational programs.
Camps offer a variety of options from the basics (reading, writing and math) to art, science, computer and foreign language camps and a Healthy Lifestyles and Recreation Camp. Benhart attributes the success of Summit School to:
- Personalized instruction which challenges each child to achieve their ability level.
- Empowering teachers by maintaining small class sizes.
- A true example of No Child Left Behind.
Next Rotary Meeting:
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
GREG EYERLY, CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD CZAR
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