Summit Charter School - Cashiers, North Carolina

Seeking Excellence

Phone: (828) 743-5755
Fax: (828) 743-9157

summit
Calendar
of Event

Quick Links

Summit Pledge

Each day in my words and in my deeds I will do my best to live these seven virtues...

Honesty
Respect
Responsibility
Self Discipline
Compassion
Perseverance
and Giving

Educational Vision | History | Charter School | 4 C's | Policies & Procedures

FAQ's
What is unique about Summit Charter School?

Summit Charter School views education as a life-long experience, the foundation of which is established during a child's formative years. Summit encourages every student to attain his or her highest potential by fostering the development of individual talents, abilities and interests in the following ways:

• Excellent faculty
Summit Charter School has attracted a faculty of excellent, certified teachers from across the United States, representing a broad spectrum of academic disciplines and teaching experience. Teachers at Summit have chosen to teach at a charter school because they are empowered with autonomy and creative freedom in planning and teaching. Their enthusiasm for education comes through to the children.

• Experiential learning
Children at Summit are taught to enjoy learning, to stretch their imaginations, to try new activities. Through “Life Journeys” and “Group Discoveries” programs, students experience first-hand the connection between what they study in school and what takes place in the world. Outside of the classroom, students investigate diverse topics ranging from photography, to mapping and trailblazing, to native wildlife. Within the community, they might also get to witness to the back-office operation of a bank, the steps in the production of a play, or the nuts and bolts of a operating a commercial kitchen. Students also discuss character issues in keeping with Summit’s Seven Virtues.

• Innovative Curriculum
Because Summit is a charter school, the curriculum is written largely by the teachers. While it is embraces and meets the NC State standards, the curriculum at Summit goes beyond that to include emphasis on the arts as essential to cultural literacy. Subjects are taught through themes, in accordance with the Basic School Philosophy (Link to http://www.messiah.edu/boyer_center/basic_school/ .) This allows students to make connections and to find relevance in learning. As a result, although Summit does not “teach to tests”, Summit students consistently score well on standardized tests, and Summit maintains an “Honor School of Excellence” standing in state rankings.

• Technology
The school is equipped with a state-of-the-art computer network, placing the World Wide Web at the fingertips of even the youngest student and enabling all students to become proficient in the computer skills required for high school and college. Wireless access is available throughout the campus, and all students in the middle school are given the opportunity to purchase laptop computers for classroom use.

• The Arts
Both the visual and performing arts are integrated daily into the total curriculum, encouraging creative expression, artistic appreciation, and aesthetic understanding in all students.

• Family involvement
The Summit Family Association enables parents to fulfill their contract for involvement with their children's education by serving on committees, planning events, and assisting teachers.

• Character development
Beyond its emphasis on basic curriculum and the pursuit of excellence, Summit teaches character development based on seven virtues: honesty, respect, responsibility, Compassion, self-discipline, perseverance, and giving--virtues that lead children to value themselves, others, and their community.

• Attractive facilities
The physical facilities, designed by architect Tim Greene, provide a modular campus that is attractive, efficient, and flexible. As Summit continues to grow and develop, plans are underway for an eventual move to a newer facility, which will allow us to expand our programs even more.

• Who can attend Summit Charter School?
Enrollment is open to any student residing in Jackson, Macon, or Transylvania county on a space-available basis. Acceptance into Kindergarten or grades with a waiting list is by drawing, so that all prospective students are given an equal chance. Our students represent the socio-economic levels and diversity of the surrounding communities.

• How is the school funded and how much does it cost?
Charter schools( http://www.charterfriends.org) are funded in the same way the public schools are--an allotment for each student. This funding consists of existing state and local monies along with any applicable federal funds. In addition, charter schools may raise private funds to expand academic programs, to assist in general operations, and to cover capital expenses. Because Summit is a public school, no tuition is charged. However, parents are expected to invest time, energy, and resources toward their child's education and the successful operation of the school.

• Why not invest these resources in existing public schools?
The state provides the charter school option with the goal of enhancing and revitalizing the current education system. It is hoped that the innovations generated by charter schools will make their way into traditional public schools, thereby benefiting all North Carolina students. The purpose of Summit Charter School is to provide a unique setting for learning that will improve student achievement by expanding positive choices and opportunities for our community's children. Summit Charter School intends to serve alongside existing schools with the belief that increasing options in public education with local responsibility and strict accountability--for both the expenditures of funds and the academic outcomes achieved by students--best serves the needs of children, teachers and parents.

• What grades are included?
Summit Charter School serves children ages 5 through 14 (kindergarten through eighth grade). Children are grouped according to age and, depending on individual skill levels, are permitted to move across grades to maximize growth potential. Class size is small.