EQuiTy starts with centering the whole child
EQuiTy starts with centering the whole child
EQuiTy starts with centering the whole child
Letter from Cady ching, ceo
Letter from Cady ching, ceo
As Summit Public Schools’ second CEO, one of my commitments is to cultivate relationships. I am a mother, daughter, niece, educator, nature lover, and loyal friend. I prefer a sweet and salty mix for snacks and my favorite weekend activities are the ones that allow me to be with family for hours, just talking and sharing experiences together. Where I am from (Hawaii), we often speak about living with aloha (love, gratitude), and ‘imi ola, which can be translated as “to seek your best life.” In your interactions with me, you will experience these personal values. I will always find moments of joy in our work supporting your young people, even when things are challenging. I center how I experience and see the world through the experiences of youth with love. For over 10 years I have been deeply inspired by the staff, young people and families of Summit, and I know that will continue to be true in my next ten years.
My focus is to deliver on the promise of our evolved mission: To collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life. As a former mentor, teacher, school leader and now CEO, I have seen how our students experience our commitment to these words each day in our classrooms.
In evolving our mission, we boldly and intentionally tied the success of our schools to our students’ success after graduation. We are doubling down on college for all and responding to the rapidly changing world our young people navigate by ensuring our model is flexible and adaptable. We firmly believe that our community and world succeed when each of our graduates achieves economic empowerment in a purposeful and passion-driven concrete next step–including 4 year college options and additional, empowered, thoughtfully planned pathways. We recognize that this is hard work. To make this a reality, I invite you all to join us in it. Collectively we can be the catalyst for the entire sector to purposefully advance the role of education.
As Summit Public Schools’ second CEO, one of my commitments is to cultivate relationships. I am a mother, daughter, niece, educator, nature lover, and loyal friend. I prefer a sweet and salty mix for snacks and my favorite weekend activities are the ones that allow me to be with family for hours, just talking and sharing experiences together. Where I am from (Hawaii), we often speak about living with aloha (love, gratitude), and ‘imi ola, which can be translated as “to seek your best life.” In your interactions with me, you will experience these personal values. I will always find moments of joy in our work supporting your young people, even when things are challenging. I center how I experience and see the world through the experiences of youth with love. For over 10 years I have been deeply inspired by the staff, young people and families of Summit, and I know that will continue to be true in my next ten years.
My focus is to deliver on the promise of our evolved mission: To collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life. As a former mentor, teacher, school leader and now CEO, I have seen how our students experience our commitment to these words each day in our classrooms.
In evolving our mission, we boldly and intentionally tied the success of our schools to our students’ success after graduation. We are doubling down on college for all and responding to the rapidly changing world our young people navigate by ensuring our model is flexible and adaptable. We firmly believe that our community and world succeed when each of our graduates achieves economic empowerment in a purposeful and passion-driven concrete next step–including 4 year college options and additional, empowered, thoughtfully planned pathways. We recognize that this is hard work. To make this a reality, I invite you all to join us in it. Collectively we can be the catalyst for the entire sector to purposefully advance the role of education.
Our mission
To collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life.
To collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life.
Our mission
To collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life.
summit through the years
summit through the years
Timeline
2003
2003
Summit Prep founded in Redwood City, California, by Diane Tavenner and a team of parents and educators with the mission to prepare a diverse student population for college, career, and life, and to be thoughtful, contributing members of society.
Summit Prep founded in Redwood City, California, by Diane Tavenner and a team of parents and educators with the mission to prepare a diverse student population for college, career, and life, and to be thoughtful, contributing members of society.
2006
2006
96% of Summit's first graduating class accepted into 4-year colleges.
96% of Summit's first graduating class accepted into 4-year colleges.
2009
2009
Responding to high demand for Summit Prep, Everest Public High School opens in Redwood City.
Responding to high demand for Summit Prep, Everest Public High School opens in Redwood City.
2011
2011
Summit finds out 55% of its first graduating class were on track to graduate college. Although this was more than double the national average, this prompts Summit to rethink their approach to better prepare students to succeed through college and beyond. Summit Rainier & Summit Tahoma open in San Jose, California and pilot a personalized learning model with 200 students.
Summit finds out 55% of its first graduating class were on track to graduate college. Although this was more than double the national average, this prompts Summit to rethink their approach to better prepare students to succeed through college and beyond. Summit Rainier & Summit Tahoma open in San Jose, California and pilot a personalized learning model with 200 students.
2012
2012
400 students participate in a self-directed learning pilot. Summit builds out a schoolwide personalized learning approach.
400 students participate in a self-directed learning pilot. Summit builds out a schoolwide personalized learning approach.
2013
2013
Summit Shasta opens in Daly City, California, and Summit Denali opens in Sunnyvale, California. Summit Public Schools scales personalized learning to all Summit Schools.
Summit Shasta opens in Daly City, California, and Summit Denali opens in Sunnyvale, California. Summit Public Schools scales personalized learning to all Summit Schools.
2014
2014
Summit K2 opens in El Cerrito, California. Summit partners with Facebook to cobuild a platform with the goal of sharing it with other schools across the country, for free. Fast Company names Summit Public Schools one of the top 10 innovative organizations in education for creating a best-in-class learning model.
Summit K2 opens in El Cerrito, California. Summit partners with Facebook to cobuild a platform with the goal of sharing it with other schools across the country, for free. Fast Company names Summit Public Schools one of the top 10 innovative organizations in education for creating a best-in-class learning model.
2015
2015
Summit Sierra opens in Seattle, Washington, and Summit Olympus opens in Tacoma, Washington. 19 schools pilot personalized learning through the Summit Learning Program, adapting our approach to teaching and learning to their context and communities.
Summit Sierra opens in Seattle, Washington, and Summit Olympus opens in Tacoma, Washington. 19 schools pilot personalized learning through the Summit Learning Program, adapting our approach to teaching and learning to their context and communities.
2016
2016
Summit Tamalpais opens in Richmond, California. 100+ schools join the Summit Learning Program. The community includes more than 1100 teachers and 20K students across 27 states.
Summit Tamalpais opens in Richmond, California. 100+ schools join the Summit Learning Program. The community includes more than 1100 teachers and 20K students across 27 states.
2017
2017
Summit Atlas opens in Seattle, Washington. 300+ schools across 40 states join the Summit Learning Program. Summit Learning grows to over 50,000 students. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative becomes Summit's long-term engineering partner on the Summit Learning Platform.
Summit Atlas opens in Seattle, Washington. 300+ schools across 40 states join the Summit Learning Program. Summit Learning grows to over 50,000 students. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative becomes Summit's long-term engineering partner on the Summit Learning Platform.
2019
2019
The Program grew from the first 19 partner schools to 380 in four years serving over 3,800 educators, and 72,000 students across the country for free. A new nonprofit organization, called Gradient Learning, now independently leads and operates the Summit Learning Program.
The Program grew from the first 19 partner schools to 380 in four years serving over 3,800 educators, and 72,000 students across the country for free. A new nonprofit organization, called Gradient Learning, now independently leads and operates the Summit Learning Program.
2022
2022
Summit evolves its mission statement and celebrates its 20th anniversary year.
Summit evolves its mission statement and celebrates its 20th anniversary year.
We run high-quality puBlic charter schools
We run high-quality puBlic charter schools
students who come to a Summit middle school reading below grade level in reading are 3x more likely to achieve grade level reading by high school compared to the CA state average (CA average source)
students who come to a Summit middle school reading below grade level in reading are 3x more likely to achieve grade level reading by high school compared to the CA state average (CA average source)
pathways to ensure post-secondary success
pathways to ensure post-secondary success
Average Daily Attendance (ADA) has remained the same or even improved across our schools which demonstrates the strong sense of community and belonging we develop at our schools
College-level course experience and mastery
College-level course experience and mastery
2x
2x Summit Students take at least one Advanced Placement exam compared to the national average
2x
2x Summit Students take at least one Advanced Placement exam compared to the national average
2x
2x Summit Students take at least one Advanced Placement exam compared to the national average
50%
Summit students pass AP exams at 50% higher rate than the national average
50%
Summit students pass AP exams at 50% higher rate than the national average
50%
Summit students pass AP exams at 50% higher rate than the national average
Ready for their concrete next step
Strong GraDuation Rates
Strong GraDuation Rates
Summit Tam and Summit K2 are exceeding the West Contra Costa county graduation rates at 98.9% and 96.8%, respectively
Summit Tam and Summit K2 are exceeding the West Contra Costa county graduation rates at 98.9% and 96.8%, respectively
Summit Tam and Summit K2 are exceeding the West Contra Costa county graduation rates at 98.9% and 96.8%, respectively
97% of Summit’s California graduates meet the UC/ CSU requirements empowering them to apply to state colleges compared to the state average of 48.4%
97% of Summit’s California graduates meet the UC/ CSU requirements empowering them to apply to state colleges compared to the state average of 48.4%
97% of Summit’s California graduates meet the UC/ CSU requirements empowering them to apply to state colleges compared to the state average of 48.4%
young people know that Summit is a place where they belong and succeed
90%+
>90% of students reported that they agree with the statement “students like me can be successful in this school”
90%+
>90% of students reported that they agree with the statement “students like me can be successful in this school”
>90% of students reported that they agree with the statement “students like me can be successful in this school”
90%+
>90% of students reported that they agree with the statement “the adults at my school care about me as a person”
90%+
>90% of students reported that they agree with the statement “the adults at my school care about me as a person”
>90% of students reported that they agree with the statement “the adults at my school care about me as a person”
15%
From before the pandemic to now, 15% increase in the number of students who feel safe at schools
15%
From before the pandemic to now, 15% increase in the number of students who feel safe at schools
From before the pandemic to now, 15% increase in the number of students who feel safe at schools
Our students
Summit serves a diverse student population that reflects its local communities.
3,661
Students
3,661
Students
Students
54%
Receive free or reduced lunch
54%
Receive free or reduced lunch
Receive free or reduced lunch
16%
Have an Individualized Education Plan
16%
Have an Individualized Education Plan
Have an Individualized Education Plan
17%
Are English language learners
17%
Are English language learners
Are English language learners
safety and sense of belonging
87%
of students report having at least one adult that they trust at school.
87%
of students report having at least one adult that they trust at school.
87%
of students report having at least one adult that they trust at school.
88%
of students agree with the statement "I belong here."
88%
of students agree with the statement "I belong here."
88%
of students agree with the statement "I belong here."
93%
of students report that hey have a positive outlook on their future.
93%
of students report that hey have a positive outlook on their future.
93%
of students report that hey have a positive outlook on their future.
91%
of students agree with the statement that students like them can be successful at their school.
91%
of students agree with the statement that students like them can be successful at their school.
91%
of students agree with the statement that students like them can be successful at their school.
preparing students for a fulfilled life
preparing students for a fulfilled life
Expeditions at Summit provide students with experiences to broaden their worldview and inform their Concrete Next Step.
Expeditions at Summit provide students with experiences to broaden their worldview and inform their Concrete Next Step.
Exposure | Choice | Community Connection | Reflection
Through Expeditions, students build understandings of themselves, their communities and the world through exposure to life & career pathways as they take control of their concrete next step after high school.
Through Expeditions, students build understandings of themselves, their communities and the world through exposure to life & career pathways as they take control of their concrete next step after high school.
Over 100 Expeditions Partners
Expeditions Stories
Brandon Torres-Esquivel
Summit Prep | 10th Grade
Current CNS Thoughts: Trade, 4 year college
Brandon Torres-Esquivel
Summit Prep | 10th Grade
Current CNS Thoughts: Trade, 4 year college
Brandon’s father is a house painter, and for his whole life Brandon had assumed that’s what he would do too. He didn’t feel like school was relevant for him. During Summit’s Expeditions in his 10th grade year, he selected a “Trade Skills” experience organized by Summit through a community organization. With a dozen other Summit Prep students, Brandon spent 7 weeks throughout the year exploring various trades: woodworking, engineering, mechanics, plumbing, and more. He loved it and excelled. Brandon recruited friends to join him. He reflected to his mentor that it was the first time he’d realized that there was more out there that he could imagine himself doing. At first, that meant he was opening his eyes to different trades, beyond painting, but the confidence and habits he was building had him thinking more broadly as well: on a college visit, sitting in a classroom at Sacramento State with his mentor, Brandon shared that for the first time he could imagine himself in college, too. Brandon is finishing up his 10th grade year and is opening up to a world of possibility.
Brandon’s father is a house painter, and for his whole life Brandon had assumed that’s what he would do too. He didn’t feel like school was relevant for him. During Summit’s Expeditions in his 10th grade year, he selected a “Trade Skills” experience organized by Summit through a community organization. With a dozen other Summit Prep students, Brandon spent 7 weeks throughout the year exploring various trades: woodworking, engineering, mechanics, plumbing, and more. He loved it and excelled. Brandon recruited friends to join him. He reflected to his mentor that it was the first time he’d realized that there was more out there that he could imagine himself doing. At first, that meant he was opening his eyes to different trades, beyond painting, but the confidence and habits he was building had him thinking more broadly as well: on a college visit, sitting in a classroom at Sacramento State with his mentor, Brandon shared that for the first time he could imagine himself in college, too. Brandon is finishing up his 10th grade year and is opening up to a world of possibility.
Noah Reddy
Summit Prep | 10th Grade
Current CNS Thoughts: Trade, 4 year college
Noah is a 10th grader, and they have seen many of their adolescent peers struggle with mental health challenges over the last few years. They felt like there must be something they could do. Through Summit Prep’s Expeditions program, they joined a small group experience with a local Redwood City mental health-focused organization. Together Noah, their classmates and the community leaders designed ways to engage their peers and teachers and got an introduction to the work that mental health professionals do. Noah was hooked. They were excited about the immediate impact they were able to have. Noah was also more convinced that this was their sense of purpose that could drive their choices about their future. With the support of their mentor, they have already made some choices for next year: they have decided to enroll in an AP Psychology course and use their Expeditions time to intern with a mental health professional, so they can deepen their understanding of the field.
Noah is a 10th grader, and they have seen many of their adolescent peers struggle with mental health challenges over the last few years. They felt like there must be something they could do. Through Summit Prep’s Expeditions program, they joined a small group experience with a local Redwood City mental health-focused organization. Together Noah, their classmates and the community leaders designed ways to engage their peers and teachers and got an introduction to the work that mental health professionals do. Noah was hooked. They were excited about the immediate impact they were able to have. Noah was also more convinced that this was their sense of purpose that could drive their choices about their future. With the support of their mentor, they have already made some choices for next year: they have decided to enroll in an AP Psychology course and use their Expeditions time to intern with a mental health professional, so they can deepen their understanding of the field.
Concrete next Steps For Postsecondary Success
Concrete next Steps For Postsecondary Success
Summit's approach ensures every graduate has a clear, customized plan for their next steps, fully prepared to pursue their preferred pathway in college, career, and life.
Summit's approach ensures every graduate has a clear, customized plan for their next steps, fully prepared to pursue their preferred pathway in college, career, and life.
Vision for the future
Vision for the future
Vision for the future
Our vision for the future is that our schools become places of transformation, where students gain experiences that broaden their options for life after high school and leave with the skills to pursue their chosen Concrete Next Step, ultimately achieving a fulfilled life.
Our vision for the future is that our schools become places of transformation, where students gain experiences that broaden their options for life after high school and leave with the skills to pursue their chosen Concrete Next Step, ultimately achieving a fulfilled life.
This work is possible due to the incredible support from our partners
This work is possible due to the incredible support from our partners
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock
Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Black Educators Initiative
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Chamberlin Family Foundation
Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation
The Caroll Family
Education First
Girard Education Foundation
Leon Lowenstein Foundation
Organizing That Works
Siegel Family Endowment
Silicon Schools Fund
Washington State Charter School Association
XQ Institute
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock
Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Black Educators Initiative
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Chamberlin Family Foundation
Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation
The Caroll Family
Education First
Girard Education Foundation
Leon Lowenstein Foundation
Organizing That Works
Siegel Family Endowment
Silicon Schools Fund
Washington State Charter School Association
XQ Institute