The older one gets at Summit, the higher you climb. At the top of the building sits the Upper Elementary classroom. With larger bodies and much larger topics to explore, they take over the third floor with big questions and big responsibilities. Their emerging sense of self and identity come into view as they navigate interpersonal relationships, big topics, and leadership responsibilities. The Upper Elementary Program at Summit is composed of a single 4th-6th grade combined multiage classroom. As students progress, the most senior become classroom and school leaders, continuing a cycle of peer mentoring and cooperation. All Upper Elementary students are considered school leaders and stewards, routinely engaging in activities such as serving as morning arrival greeters and campus-wide recycling collectors that support the entire Summit community. Students in the Upper Elementary level engage in individual work as well as collaborative activity in both small and larger groups.
The sixth year in the Summit Elementary Program is considered to be each student’s capstone year. As such, it includes some special opportunities including participating in an out-of-state leadership trip. In addition, each sixth grade student conducts a year-long research project (Senior Project) based on an area of interest; each student presents a summary of his or her project to the entire school community at year’s end.
The graduation of sixth grade students leads to continuation at public and private middle and secondary schools. In any case, these students are well prepared to think, to speak, to write, to respect each other and the environment. Each graduate offers a graduation speech to the community, reflecting on his or her time at Summit and the personal meaning gained from these years. We are proud that our alumni are indeed lifelong learners, for that is Summit’s core Mission.
“It is the spirit of the child that can determine the course of human progress and lead it perhaps even to a higher form of civilization.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori
The Curriculum includes Montessori based:
• Mathematics (building on Lower Elementary work towards abstraction and advanced work on geometry, fractions, ratios, percentages, and an introduction to statistics and probability and beginning to work on algebraic functions)
• Language Arts (including reading and analyzing fiction and non fiction in small group literature circles, writing essays, research papers, and creative writing)
• Public Speaking (oral presentations, performing arts, and extemperaneous debate)
• Cultural Studies (History, Geography, Botany, Zoology, and Physical Science on a three year cycle with emphasis placed on research and presentation skills)
• Socio-emotional and self-identity work integrated into the school day and curriculum
• Music, Visual Arts, Spanish, Naturalist program, and Physical Education are integrated as important areas of special interest.
Program Highlights
• One Upper Elementary Classroom
• Ages nine through twelve (grades 4-6)
• Student to teacher ratio 12:1
• Full day program
• Leadership opportunities
• Community service
• Field trips are integrated into the curriculum on a three year cycle, including overnight trips to Nature’s Classroom and long range travel by the sixth year students
Sixth Grade Highlights
• Sixth graders engage in long range travel to cities like New York or Washington DC to participate in meaningful programming that illustrates global citizenship and practical ways they can engage in being peacemakers in their world
• Development and presentation of a year-long Senior Research Project.
• Planning and implementation of micro economies to raise funds for significant projects
• Senior speeches at graduation.
• Opportunities for leadership and internships within the school.