THE JUNIOR HIGH YEARS

Early adolescence is an important period of change as students move toward adulthood. Summit's Junior High is designed to provide a unique three-year program for students from seventh through ninth grade.

Seventh graders quickly adjust to challenges such as five academic teachers daily, an advisor/advisee system, team sports, arts' offerings and special activities such as the Greek Interdisciplinary Unit and the Medieval Feast. Seventh grade teachers work closely with students to assure that the transition into Junior High is smooth and productive.

By eighth grade, students are fully ensconced in the Junior High program. They realize the commitment needed to accomplish academic goals, are mainstays on service projects and athletic teams, enjoy the trip to Williamsburg as part of their American Studies curriculum, and revel in musical and drama productions. Eighth graders reach out to the larger community when they participate in a musical program with students from Carter Vocational School, a public school for children with mental challenges.

Ninth grade, simultaneously the last year of Junior High and the first year of high school, introduces students to their first year of high school experience within a familiar environment, one which capitalizes on the ninth graders' position as the oldest students on our campus. The Summit experience offers honors courses and a wide variety of course options. In addition, we emphasize new ways of thinking, time management, positive relationships and increased responsibility for leadership. Ninth grade experiences develop greater self-confidence in students and, by year's end, produce students who are ready to continue developing their talents and academic potential while contributing significantly to their next school environment. We plan this foundational year to:

Develop leadership roles on the school campus and within the Junior High community through:

1. Service project leadership
2. Older student to younger student discussions
3. Speech to Junior High audience on term paper topic
4. Executive Council leadership
5. Introduction of speakers at leadership luncheons
6. Leadership roles with Boarding School Fair, Special Persons' Day
7. Leadership positions on sports teams
8. Leadership positions in arts activitities

Develop academic potential through:

Build community with classmates and teachers through:

Develop time management skills to balance academic, sports, and leadership opportunities through:

Improve interpersonal skills as students:

Participate in planned activities to enhance beginning preparations for college

Build a beginning high school portfolio to include:

Celebrate the culmination of students' years on Summit campus through:

Frequently Asked Questions About Ninth Grade

When did Summit start a ninth grade and why?
In 1956, a ninth grade began with nine students and the ninth grade has been a vital part of Summit's program ever since. The ninth grade was started to meet the developmental needs of students.

What is the advantage of having a ninth grade?
Our ninth graders never have to be lowly freshmen in a four-year setting. Instead, as the oldest students in the school, they wear the mantle of student leadership which does wonders for their self-esteem. They can focus on the challenging curriculum described earlier without the social and emotional pressures of trying to fit in with tenth through twelfth graders. And having no student drivers on campus is a huge plus.

Isn’t it hard for students to enter schools where most students have begun a year earlier?
Alums tell us that after a few weeks, they feel quite comfortable in their new schools. Counselors and admissions personnel report that our students frequently earn academic honors and are chosen for leadership positions in service clubs, academic clubs, student government and other extracurricular activities. Our students do well wherever they go - local independent or faith-based schools, public schools, and boarding schools.

What about sports?
Most Summit ninth graders participate on a sports team. Their leadership is important to the seventh and eighth graders who follow their examples. Our strongest athletes are able to earn spots on competitive teams in schools after Summit. Others enjoy the fact that they were able to play varsity sports in at least one high school year, and they have tales to tell forever.

Isn't it better to move on from a more protected environment and experience the "real world?”
Current brain research informs us that the brains of early adolescents are still growing and vulnerable, especially those parts of the brain that control judgment. Parents may have known that, but now the research is clear and supportive of common wisdom. Keeping students in a familiar environment where adults are in close contact with students and where older adolescents are not exerting pressure to conform increases the chances for sound judgments. In fact, public schools in some states are now promoting ninth grade academies designed just for their ninth graders since they realize ninth graders would fare better apart from tenth through twelfth graders.

Is it unusual to have a school that goes from pre-kindergarten through ninth grade?
Though unusual in our area, many schools in the Northeast and elsewhere enjoy that configuration.

What do graduates say about ninth grade?
Over and over, our graduates tell us ninth grade was the best possible preparation for what they faced after Summit. We survey our alums every three years and results clearly indicate that our graduates feel the advantages of staying for ninth grade are many. "If every year were like ninth grade, life would be perfect," wrote one of our graduates.