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

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.

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

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.

2024

2024

Gradient Learning evolves its focus, shifting away from the full Summit Learning model, re-branding fully as Gradient Learning, and discontinuing the Summit Learning Platform. Summit Public Schools responds by adopting our own instance of Canvas to continue with the full Summit model.

Gradient Learning evolves its focus, shifting away from the full Summit Learning model, re-branding fully as Gradient Learning, and discontinuing the Summit Learning Platform. Summit Public Schools responds by adopting our own instance of Canvas to continue with the full Summit model.

We run high-quality puBlic charter schools

We run

high-quality

puBlic charter

schools

We run high-quality puBlic charter schools

3x

3x

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)

3x

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

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

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

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

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%+

>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%+

>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

15%

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

3,661

Students

54%

Receive free or reduced lunch

54%

Receive free or reduced lunch

54%

Receive free or reduced lunch

16%

Have an Individualized Education Plan

16%

Have an Individualized Education Plan

16%

Have an Individualized Education Plan

17%

Are English language learners

17%

Are English language learners

17%

Are English language learners

safety and sense of belonging

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

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

Over 100

Expeditions

Partners

Expeditions Stories

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