Silicon Valley, the world's capital of innovation and entrepreneurship is located on a peninsula spanning 50 miles from San Francisco to San Jose. Each year over 30,000 of its public school students enter 9th grade. Four years later 21% have dropped out and 39% are qualified to attend a four year college or university. The expected lifetime earnings of those who don't achieve a bachelors degree are half of those who do, and will not be enough to repay the cost of their own K-12 public education.
All Students Graduate Ready for College Success
It is the responsibility of the K-12 public education system to ensure that upon graduation every student is prepared for productive citizenry. In the Bay Area that means every student must graduate eligible to attend a four year college or university. While some students will select career paths or community colleges, the preparation for four year college will ensure they enter those paths free of the academic and skill debit that results from being placed in a non-college prep high school diploma program.
100% College Ready by 2020
From San Francisco to San Jose, we are committed to the ambitious and achievable mission of ensuring that by 2020 every student in our region graduates four year college ready. Our 3 pronged approach draws from proven practices:
Innovation
By 2020, we plan to open at least 10 new schools using the proven Summit Model and other innovative Summit Institute designs.
Collaboration
Through key partnerships moving all students to college ready tracks: schools, districts, corporations, universities, non-profits, and parents.
Competition
Summit will serve as a proof point of what is possible and an alternative for families seeking a college ready high school program.
First designed and implemented at Summit Prep, the Summit Model is a research-based, proven organizational design for small, college preparatory high schools serving extremely heterogeneous student populations and preparing every student for success in a four year college. The model is based upon 10 non-negotiable principles and features an exclusive intersession for both students and teachers.
10 Non-Negotiables of the Summit Model
1. High Performing Teacher for every student, every period,
every day
2. Everyone is Capable to Graduate College Ready
3. No "Tracking" – Everyone is on the College Track
4. Heterogeneous Student Population
5. Physically and Emotionally Safe
6. Every Student is Known
7. Character Education
8. Research-based, Best Practice Institution
9. Principle vs. Rules Based Culture
10. Do More with Less Funding
Exclusive Intersession – Life Changing Experiences for Students and Teachers
Comprised of two month-long intensives in January and May/June of each year, student intersession is an in-depth course, internship or experience which culminates in a final performance. Students are immersed in subjects about which they are passionate, and life experiences that shape their view of the world and future plans.
For teachers, intersession is 40 days of intensive professional development, preparation and planning giving teachers the skills, knowledge and support to ensure that every student success
When opening a new Summit Public School, we are committed to the immediate and long-term success of the students and the school. Thus, we will not open a school until we have completed a rigorous, multi-phased green lighting process and are satisfied that the school has the leadership, support and resources to succeed.
Outstanding Leaders and Teachers – Key Ingredients for Success
Recognizing that the quality of the school's founding team will have the most significant impact on the school's success; Summit Public Schools opens each school with a dynamic leader and Summit experienced teacher.
Leaders
School leaders have completed the Leadership Fellows Program in The Summit Institute, demonstrating the skills, knowledge and "whatever it takes" attitude imperative to success. They have the experience and training to assume the challenges of starting and leading a school, and most importantly they are passionate about their work and deeply committed to the mission of preparing every student for college success.
Teachers
Summit teachers are highly skilled and trained in classroom instruction, mentorship and school leadership. Teachers in Summit schools play an integral role in the school level decision-making and culture building.
Community Partnership and Support
Remaining true to the model of grassroots, community founding, we develop deep, collaborative relationships with local communities and parents and jointly launch a new school.
The premise of charter schools is greater autonomy in exchange for higher accountability on student performance. From day one, Summit Public Schools are focused on ensuring that every student is reaching his/her highest potential of performance, which ultimately leads to being successful in a college or university.
Summit Prep top 1% in the Nation on Critical Measures of Student Performance
College Readiness
On Newsweek's annual rankings of the top public high schools in America, Summit Prep ranks among the top 1% as measured by the number of students completing Advanced Placement (or college level) courses.
When it comes to the number of seniors who have passed at least one AP exam with a score high enough to receive college credit for the course, Summit Prep scores an impressive 83% which places it as the 36th highest performing public high school out of America's 23,000 schools.
College Acceptance
Across Summit Prep's 4 graduating classes, 96% of the graduates have been accepted to at least 1 four year college or university.
Summit Prep is a 10 in California!
Academic Performance Index (API)
On the 2009 state rankings Summit Prep is a perfect 10 out of 10 on the Similar School Rank. This compares the school to 100 other high schools serving the same demographic of students.
See Summit Preparatory Charter
High School in the Movies!
This fall one of the most powerful and important films of our time will open in theaters across America. Waiting For Superman is about our students, our schools, our country and our future. It is about what is right in public education, and what desperately needs to be changed. And, we are very proud and humbled that in part it is about Summit Prep, and the students wanting to attend Summit Model Schools.
It hits the theaters in September 2010,
make sure that you don't miss it!
Imagine schools...
- Where a world-class faculty is collaborating to achieve a
common mission - Where the college readiness rate of minority students is 8 times
the state average - Where faculty members participate in over 40 days of targeted professional development annually
- Where 100% of graduates exceed the UC/CSU entrance requirements
- Where class size is 25 and teachers have 100 students
- Where all students are physically and emotionally safe
Now imagine being a teacher, leader and community member in such a school: a Summit Model School
Do you possess a remarkable capacity for connecting with young people, have a passion for your subject, and demonstrate a unique level of dedication, respect, and compassion for students as scholars and human beings? Do you want to be empowered to be a teacher leader working every day to provide college opportunity and access to every student?
If so, join our team!
All four Summit Model Schools will be hiring teachers from all subject areas to join our teams in the fall of 2012. We will be seeking founding teachers for our new San Jose campuses and outstanding team members for our high performing existing schools in Redwood City.
We will begin accepting applications later this year. Please check back for details on how to apply.
Summit Public Schools
455 5th Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 556-1110
Visit our school websites:
www.summitprep.net
www.everestphs.org
www.summitsanjose.org
Let us tell you about breaking news, upcoming events and how you can be involved with Summit Public Schools. Join our email list!
Summit Public Schools is a nonprofit 501(c)3 public benefit corporation that functions as a Charter Management Organization (CMO) and is governed by a Board of Directors.
Summit's Board of Directors meets publicly in accordance with the Brown Act.
Coming soon.
Each Summit Public School
- Creates 400 public school seats (opportunities for college success)
- Requires a $5,000 per seat initial investment of start-up capital
- Is self-sustaining on the state allocation of funding by year 4
- Produces college-ready graduates in perpetuity on public funding
An investment in Summit Public Schools guarantees that regardless of a student's prior preparation or background he/she will graduate from high school and be four-year college ready. It's an investment in not only an individual, but a community as well.
Please contact us to discuss how you can have a powerful impact on the lives of students and the future of our public schools by supporting the creation of more Summit Public School seats. Learn how you can endow an Individual (1), Small Group (4), Mentor Group (16), Class (25), Grade Level (100), or entire School (400).
Donations can be mailed to:
Summit Public Schools
Attn: Isabelle Parker
455 5th Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94063
Together we can change the future of public education and our nation – one seat at a time!
Coming soon.
In 2000, a group of parents from Silicon Valley asked the question:
"What happened?" What happened to the American public high school? And what can we do to fix it?
Hundreds of people quickly engaged in an effort to create an innovative and replicable model for secondary education. One that achieves the promise of providing a high quality public education to every child, regardless of family circumstances or background.
In 2003, Summit Preparatory Charter High School was born. Housed in a former title company, it did not look like, act like or perform like a typical high school – as a result all Summit students were succeeding.
From there, the vision and the work continued. Overwhelming community demand led to the opening of our second school, Everest Public High School, in the fall of 2009, as well as Summit Public Schools' Rainier and Tahoma in San Jose in the fall of 2011. Over the next decade, we will grow to 14 schools serving Silicon Valley's diverse communities.
Our mission, ambitious yet achievable, is to ensure that every student in Silicon Valley – from South San Francisco to San Jose – has the opportunity to not only attend, but succeed in, a four year college or university.
While some students will select career paths or community colleges, the preparation for four-year college will help them avoid the academic and skill deficit that results from being placed in a non-college prep, high school diploma program.
These children are our future and it is our responsibility as the public education system to prepare them to be active, productive citizens.
We know that graduating college and career ready gives our children the greatest opportunity and choice. So how do we make that happen? We focus on what matters most to student success – high-quality teachers. Every student must be taught by a high performing teacher every day, no exceptions. Which means we need schools that enable teachers to perform at high levels and hold them accountable for success – the Summit Model.
Creation
Dramatically increasing the number of students in our region served by Summit Public Schools is a top priority. We will partner with local communities to open at least 10 new Summit schools using the proven Summit Model. We are creating a healthy level of competition, which will promote a higher-quality education offered by all area public schools.
Innovation
Summit Public Schools serve as a proof point of what is possible when schools are designed with a focus on student success and employing innovative practices. Summit Public Schools continue to be laboratories of innovation, constantly defining and refining the most effective practices, including the expanding role of technology in supporting student success.
Collaboration
In collaboration with likeminded community partners, Summit Public Schools is a vocal advocate for every local public high school to adopt policies that ensure that every student will graduate meeting the basic four-year college entrance requirements (known as the A-G) and that all D grades will be eliminated (colleges don't accept Ds).
"What's best for the students?" This is the driving force behind our decision-making and our success. From our founders to our directors, teachers, funders and parents, this is our focus.
Common Beliefs
Every child is capable of being college ready
All students can and should enroll in a rigorous, college preparation curriculum. Pigeonholing or tracking students is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If they are not expected to excel, they will not.
A high performing teacher for every student,
every period, every day
We are only as strong as our teachers. They should be rewarded for excellence and given the opportunity to become leaders.
Change is a good thing
We believe in innovation, in understanding through research what works and what doesn't and making changes accordingly. What was successful 20 years ago may not apply today.
The bar must be set higher
76% of California's public school students are not qualified to attend a four-year university. All students should be. We simply must raise the expectations of public education.
We believe in every individual
Regardless of race, neighborhood or prior academic experience, we believe every student is capable of high levels of academic and social achievement.
Robert J. Oster, Chairman of the Board
A private venture investor since 1987, Mr. Oster has worked with both institutional and other private investors in all phases of venture investing. Prior to venture investing, he worked as a professional economist and in several high-level finance positions, the last being Vice President of Finance and Administration for Oracle Corporation, where he spearheaded Oracle's initial public offering. In addition to chairing the SPS Board, Mr. Oster is Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Nominating Committee of the Board of Overseers of the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. He received his BA in economics with honors from Occidental College and an MA and PhD in economics from the University of California at Berkeley.
Steven Humphreys
Mr. Humphreys has served as CEO or President of four high technology companies, some of which he grew from early-stage. Most recently he served as CEO of Kleer Semiconductor Corporation, growing its revenues more than 10 times in 18 months. He began his career at General Electric Company where he worked in a variety of manufacturing and information technology positions. In addition to serving on the board of Summit Public Schools, he is a trustee of the Portola Valley School District, Chairman of the Board of Organ-I AB and Organ-I, Inc., and a member of the Board of Directors of Identive Group, a publicly traded information security company. Mr. Humphreys received a BS from Yale University and an MS and MBA from Stanford University.
Stacey Keare
Ms. Keare is an attorney and policy analyst, having most recently worked at Hancock, Rothert and Bunshoft in employment law and insurance defense litigation. She currently serves on the Board of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and is the Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. She is also on the Silicon Valley Advisory Council of the Global Fund for Children. She serves as President of a family foundation—created with her husband—that focuses on health, education, and human rights issues. Before joining the SPS Board, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Summit Preparatory Charter High School for four years. Ms. Keare received a BA in International Relations from Stanford University, a law degree from Hastings College of the Law, and an MPP from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Robert G. O'Donnell
Mr. O'Donnell recently retired from Capital Research and Management Company where he was a Senior Vice President and Director. He served as an equity portfolio manager for this large mutual fund advisory firm. Mr. O'Donnell also serves as a Director of the Sequoia Hospital Foundation and is a member of the Gift Planning Committee of the San Francisco Symphony. Mr. O'Donnell is on the faculty of the Haas School of Business at Berkeley where he is a visiting lecturer. He is a recipient of the Chancellor's Award for outstanding service to UCBerkeley. Mr. O'Donnell received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley where he also earned an MBA.
Diane Tavenner
Ms. Tavenner is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SPS, having first co-founded Summit Preparatory Charter High School and Everest Public High School. Prior to launching Summit Prep, she spent ten years as a public school teacher, administrator and leader in traditional urban and suburban public schools throughout California. Ms. Tavenner is President of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Member Council, which represents nearly 900 charter schools, as well as a member of the CCSA Board of Directors. In 2010, she was awarded CCSA's prestigious Hart Vision School Leader of the Year award. In addition, she is one of the Center for Education Reform's "Action Heroes". Ms. Tavenner is a member of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) professional development school partner council and a former board member of the Community High School Foundation. She received a BA in psychology and sociology from the University of Southern California and an MA in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University.
Blake Warner
Mr. Warner is a Founder and Managing Partner of Silicon Valley Partners LLC, a firm that provides strategic merger and acquisition advisory services focused on the growth sectors of the digital economy. Prior to this, he spent ten years at Thomas Weisel Partners LLC, where he provided investment banking services for the software, media, and communications sectors. In addition to serving on the SPS Board, he is currently the Chairman of the Governance Council of Everest Public High School, providing oversight as well as helping set strategic goals and operational objectives. Mr. Warner received his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his MBA from the University of Southern California.
Meg Whitman
Ms. Whitman is one of the most highly regarded businesswomen in the United States; she has also been involved in state and national politics, most recently having run for the office of Governor of California. From 1998-2008, she served as CEO of eBay, growing the iconic Silicon Valley company from $4 million to $8 billion in revenues. Before eBay, she worked as a high level executive at several other well-known companies including Stride Rite, Hasbro, and the Walt Disney Company. She was inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2008 and more than once was named one of the "Top Five Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune Magazine. Ms. Whitman is currently a member of the Boards of Directors of Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble, Teach for America, SIEPR and Zipcar. She received her BA from Princeton University and her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Diane Tavenner, Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Tavenner is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SPS, having first co-founded Summit Preparatory Charter High School and Everest Public High School. Prior to launching Summit Prep, she spent ten years as a public school teacher, administrator and leader in traditional urban and suburban public schools throughout California. Ms. Tavenner is President of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Member Council, which represents nearly 900 charter schools, as well as a member of the CCSA Board of Directors. In 2010, she was awarded CCSA's prestigious Hart Vision School Leader of the Year award. In addition, she is one of the Center for Education Reform's "Action Heroes". Ms. Tavenner is a member of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) professional development school partner council and a former board member of the Community High School Foundation. She received a BA in psychology and sociology from the University of Southern California and an MA in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University.
Adam Carter, Chief Academic Officer
Isabelle Parker, Chief Financial Officer
Diego Arambula, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer
Jon Deane, Chief Information Officer
Bryant Wong, Chief Technology Officer
Mira Browne, Director of Development and External Relations
Drew Grimshaw, Director of People
First designed and implemented at Summit Prep, the Summit Model is a proven organizational design for small, college preparatory high schools serving extremely heterogeneous student populations. In other words, it's "the place we always wanted to go to school and where every teacher wants to teach."
Summit Schools are rigorous
- All students take the same college preparatory courses, and exceed college entrance requirements
- All students must take and pass at least six AP courses before graduation
Summit Schools are creative
- Students experience two month-long, in depth "intersessions" each year
- Teachers utilize state-of-the-art teaching practices, and continually improve their methods based on research and results
Summit Schools are involved
- Students, teachers and parents all take a very active part in Summit life
- Mentors are assigned to students in the ninth grade and stay with them all four years
Summit Schools are successful
- Success is clearly defined as are the steps to reaching it
- Goals are ambitious yet attainable: to be college and career ready
Intersession: Four life-changing weeks
For four weeks in both January and May/June, students experience Intersession. Each month-long period is a course, internship or journey like no other. Students immerse themselves into subjects about which they are passionate, learn from professionals in these fields and emerge with a new perspective of the world and their future plans. The growth is immeasurable, the accomplishments undeniable.
At this same time, teachers undergo 40 days of intensive professional development, preparation and planning focused on improving student performance. Everyone returns to the classroom reinvigorated and prepared to tackle the challenges ahead.
Unique to Summit is the renowned Summit Institute, our "internal university" where professional development is paramount. Here educators are engaged, inspired and empowered during every stage of their career, from leading a classroom to guiding an entire school. While it may be the Summit Model that attracts the best and the brightest faculty, it is the Institute that keeps them here.
The Institute's three distinct divisions include:
- Comprehensive Professional Development
- Data Analysis and Use
- Action Research
Institute highlights:
- Collaborates with school leadership teams to plan and lead 40 days of professional development each year, grounded in educational research and relentlessly focused on increasing student performance
- Immerses prospective school leaders in an intensive preparation program combining a rigorous graduate level work with relevant school-based fieldwork
- Provides mentoring and coaching for educators ranging from pre-service to expert teachers and new to seasoned school leaders
Nine years in the making, Summit's merit-pay model is designed to reward and retain excellent teachers. Teachers receive increased compensation for increased performance versus longevity of service. How does it work?
Performance-based salary
- Each teacher earns a base salary, which will increase as new skills and expertise are demonstrated through evidence of practice and student performance
Bonuses based on student performance
- Teachers are also eligible for an annual bonus of up to 10 percent of the base salary, based on how well students at each school perform, the performance of each grade level as a whole and the performance of each teacher's students
This system has helped us attain a nearly 90 percent annual teacher retention rate. The high performing teachers who come to Summit, stay at Summit, improving their own futures and those of their students. It's the ultimate win-win.
In Silicon Valley, an area of California that is home to some of the world's largest technology companies and the nation's hub for high-tech innovation, less than half (47 percent) of all high school students graduate with the basic requirements to attend a four-year college, while more than one in five drops out of high school altogether.
Each year over 30,000 of its public school students enter 9th grade. Four years later, 21% have dropped out and just 39% are qualified to attend a four-year college or university. The expected lifetime earnings for those who don't achieve a bachelor's degree are half of a college graduate, and will not be enough to repay the cost of their own K-12 public education.
This should not be happening. This doesn't need to be happening. Not anywhere, but certainly not here, in the midst of a veritable mecca of business success. This is our territory, these are our children and this is where we will make a change. This is our "college ready corridor" – 60 miles of potential, of opportunity, of students who can and will have access to a high-quality, college prep education.
Summit will grow to serve 6,000 students through 14 schools over the next decade, dramatically increasing Silicon Valley's low college-ready rate.
We have the know-how, we have the drive and we have the support. Now we just need to make it happen. Are you with us?
The Greenlighting Process
Drawing on best practice in our industry, Summit Public Schools has developed a comprehensive process to "greenlight" expansion. Adherence to this plan will allow us to successfully open 10 new Summit schools over the next decade.
Potential for impact plays heavily into our decision
Summit Public Schools targets areas in which a significant number of students are:
- Not completing high school
- Not prepared for four year college success
And, in communities and school districts with:
- Significant gaps in performance between student subgroups
- True diversity – ethnic, socioeconomic, and academic
Our model has proven to have tremendous results within these targets.
Sound interesting?
Would you like a Summit School in your community? Contact us for the Summit Public Schools Greenlighting Checklist.
Summit Public Schools' flaghship school, Summit Preparatory Charter High School, and its second school, Everest Public High School, are both located in Redwood City within the geographic boundaries of the Sequoia Union High School District.
Summit Preparatory Charter High School
Executive Director: Brian Johnson
890 Broadway Street, Redwood City
www.summitprep.net
At-A-Glance Sheet (pdf)
Everest Public High School
Executive Director: Kelly Garcia
455 5th Avenue, Redwood City
www.everestphs.org
At-A-Glance Sheet (pdf)
Summit Public Schools: Rainier and Tahoma opened in the fall of 2011 and serve the families and students of East San Jose.
Summit Public Schools: Rainier and Tahoma
(Summit San Jose)
Executive Director: David Richards
14271 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95127
Summit Public School: Denali, a 6-12 school, will open in the fall of 2013 and serve students in northern Santa Clara County (Palo Alto / Mountain View / Sunnyvale / Santa Clara). We will be opening with a class of 100 sixth graders and add one grade per year.
Applications are now available
To get an application families need to attend one of the info-sessions. These brief sessions give an overview of the Summit model, the innovations we're planning for Denali, and more than anything else, a chance for face-to-face Q & A and discussion. Families can fill out the 1-page application at these sessions, or they can take it home and mail it later.
For updates on info sessions, please visit the Denali website
Summit Public School: Denali
Executive Director: Joe Bielecki
jbielecki@summitps.org
Summit Public School: Shasta, a 9-12 school, will be opening in the fall of 2013 and serve students in the Jefferson Union High School District. We will be opening with a class of 100 ninth graders and add one grade per year.
Summit Shasta is now accepting applications. Upcoming information sessions about Summit Shasta and the application process will be posted soon!
For questions about Summit Shasta or the application process, please contact:
Summit Public School: Shasta
Executive Director: Caitlyn Herman
cherman@summitps.org
Enrolled Family Information Session:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at Gellert Park Clubhouse 6:30-7:30pm
Gellert Park Clubhouse is located at 50 Wembley Drive, Daly City, CA 94105
Recruitment Events:
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 7:00pm Serramonte Main Library
Monday, May 13, 2013 at 7:00pm Serramonte Main Library
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7:00pm Serramonte Main Library
Serramonte Main Library is located at 40 Wembley Drive, Daly City, CA 94015
From day one, we are focused on ensuring that every student is reaching their individual highest potential of performance, which ultimately leads to success in college. So, how are we doing?
Take a look at the stats for our flagship school,
Summit Prep:
- Named one of Newsweek's 10 Most Transformative Schools as well as one of the best high schools in the nation
- Ranked among the top 1% as measured by the number of students completing Advanced Placement (or college level) courses
- 36th highest performing public high school of the nation's 23,000 schools when it comes to seniors who have received credit for at least one AP exam
- Scores a 10 on the Academic Performance Index (API)
- Scores a perfect 10 out of 10 on the Similar School Rank for 2009
- 96% of Summit Prep graduates have been accepted to at least 1 four-year college or university
News of Summit Prep's success has dramatically increased the demand for a Summit education.
- In 2009, one quarter of the local school district's incoming freshman applied to either Summit Preparatory Charter High School or Everest Public High School
- In 2010, nearly 500 Silicon Valley-based students applied for only 200 available seats at Summit Prep and Everest high schools
- Nearly 1000 families demanded the opening of two new high schools in San Jose in the fall of 2011
- Over 400 families from the Jefferson Union High School District - spanning Brisbane, Bayshore, Daly City and Pacifica - urged Summit to open a school in their community.
- Summit Public Schools has nearly 400 students on its waitlists each year.
To meet this demand, Summit Public Schools will be opening 10 new Summit schools across Silicon Valley over the next decade.
What is a heterogeneous student population?
Summit's student population reflects the diversity of Silicon Valley's communities. It is a mix of students that fall on an extreme continuum of family income, race, home language, educational background.
What is a high performing teacher?
By the numbers, a high performing teacher facilitates the growth and learning of all students at a rate that is higher than one standard year of growth. High performing teachers have deep knowledge of the subject they are teaching, and they know how to teach it. They are able to effectively assess student performance and use data to make changes and ensure learning. And, they have an ability to connect with students, and make learning relevant and meaningful.
How are Summit students selected?
All Summit students are selected through a public, random lottery.
Summit Public Schools is in the news!
Read about us below.
"Summit Prep Ranked Top 10 Most Transformative Schools in Nation," Redwood City Patch, June 21, 2011
"Ten Miracle High Schools," Newsweek, June 21, 2011
"The Best High Schools in America," Newsweek, June 19, 2011
"Local Schools Featured in 'Superman'," The Almanac, October 12, 2010
"Why Silicon Valley Needs Superman," San Jose Mercury News, October 3, 2010
"Charter Schools Defy Recession," San Francisco Chronicle, September 27, 2010
"Flexibility Helps Charter Schools to Thrive in Down Economy," CaliforniaWatch.org, September 24, 2010
"As 'Superman' Premieres, Summit Petition is Denied," California Charter School Association Blog, September 22, 2010
"Charter Schools will be a Boon to East Side Families," San Jose Mercury News, September 22, 2010
"Oprah Highlights East Palo Alto Charter School" Palo Alto Online, September 21, 2010
"High-performing Charter Institute Hopes to Open Two Schools in East San Jose," San Jose Mercury News, September 21, 2010
"Local Aspire Schools Receive $1M from Oprah," ABC7, September 20, 2010
"California Charter School Gets $1M Nod on 'Oprah,'" Contra Costa Times, September 20, 2010
"Bay Area Schools Get Oprah Love," NBC Bay Area, September 20, 2010
Oprah Promotes 'Superman,' Joanne Jacobs, September 16, 2010
"School Scene or Honors: Summit Picks Leaders for New Public Schools," The San Jose Mercury News, August 18, 2010.
"Some Parents Push for 2 New SJ Charter Schools," ABC-7, August 19, 2010
"2 Charter Schools Planned for East San Jose," Channel 5, June 25, 2010
"SJ Parents Welcome Charter School Plans," KCBS Radio, June 25, 2010
"Summit Charter Eyes San Jose Expansion," Educated Guess, June 25, 2010
"Summit Charter Schools to Open Two College-Prep Schools in East San Jose," The San Jose Mercury News, June 25, 2010
"Newsweek's 'Best High Schools List' has plenty from California," Educated Guess, June 18, 2010
"Summit Prep Makes Newsweek's Top 100 List," The San Jose Mercury News, June 17, 2010
"Summit Charter Ranks in Top 100," The Daily Journal, June 16, 2010
"Santa Cruz Charter Ranked 19 in Nation," iJune 15, 2010
"Summit Graduating Class Headed to College," The San Jose Mercury News, June 11, 2010
"96 grads, 96 college-bound," San Mateo County Times, June 11, 2010
"Lending a Helping Hand," The Daily Journal, June 8, 2010
"Redwood City charter has merit pay solution: teachers evaluate themselves," SI&A Cabinet Report, May 17, 2010
"Everest, Sequoia Reach Deal," The Daily Journal, May 7, 2010
"Sequoia, Charter Resolve Facilities Disputes," The San Jose Mercury News, May 7, 2010
"Everest Drops Suit Against High School District," The Almanac, May 7, 2010
"Charter schools are the most revolutionary model available" Lodi News-Sentinel, March 15, 2010
"Charter school colleagues honor Diane Tavenner with statewide award," The Almanac, March 3, 2010
"Charter founders choose East San Jose for next campus," The San Jose Mercury News, February 18, 2010
"San Jose Parents Lure Charter School," The San Jose Mercury News, January 3, 2010
Diane Tavenner, CEO of Summit Public Schools is the Hart Vision School Leader of the Year.
Diane was granted this prestigious award by the California Chart Schools Association for her commitment to ensuring a high quality public education for every student in California.
Waiting for Superman is a documentary by Director Davis Guggenheim, best known for his Academy Award winning film, An Inconvenient Truth, and it has ignited a nation-wide conversation about public education.
Oprah, Bill Gates, Larry King, Katie Couric, Thomas Friedman, Rupert Murdoch, and even President Obama are all engaged.
The film presents a unflinching analysis of how and why our current system of public education is not working, and features Summit Prep, as one example of what successful public schools can and should be if we all come together to reform this precious public resource.
If you are like us, and believe that every child in America should have the opportunity to attend a successful public school, don't hesitate!
See the film today!
Partner with us!
Join Summit Public School as a partner in the Done Waiting Campaign >>
Superman isn't coming…it's up to us! Our children and country simply can't wait any longer.
Everyday we're changing education, changing lives.
We're creating schools:
- Where a world-class faculty is collaborating to achieve a common mission
- Where the college readiness rate of minority students is 8 times the state average
- Where faculty members participate in over 40 days of targeted professional development annually
- Where 100% of graduates exceed the UC/CSU entrance requirements
- Where class size is 25 and teachers have 100 students
Does this sound like a place for you?
Do you possess a remarkable capacity for connecting with young people, have a passion for your subject, and a strong level of dedication, respect, and compassion for students? Do you want to be empowered to provide college opportunity and access to every student?
If so, join our team!
Summit Public Schools is hiring teachers across all subject areas to join our teams in the fall of 2013. We are seeking outstanding teachers for our San Jose and Redwood City campuses .
We are currently accepting applications >>
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To close the achievement gap and ensure high-quality, college-preparatory education for all students, one of the most critical needs in California is to develop effective school leaders.
This is essential for school success. Summit Public Schools has developed a comprehensive leadership training program.
Leadership Fellows Program and Certification
The Leadership Fellows Program consists of a comprehensive curriculum based on the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium and California Standards for Educational Leaders. This program is site-based and connects theory with the instructional goals of the school. The content of the program is delivered through problem-based learning, case study analyses, critical readings, mentored fieldwork and prominent guest speakers. Upon completion of the program, Fellows earn their California Preliminary Administrative Credential by passing the national School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). All Summit Public Schools administrative teams are graduates of the Leadership Fellows Program and hold CA administrative credentials.
Executive Coaching
From appointment as a new site Executive Director through his/her first three years, an executive coach supports the continuing growth and development of each site leader. In addition, all Summit Public School Executive Directors meet together weekly with the CEO to proactively manage schools and generate innovative ideas.
If you are a current or aspiring school leader, contact us today to learn more about opportunities in Summit Public Schools.
To close the achievement gap and ensure high-quality, college-preparatory education for all students, one of the most critical needs in California is to develop effective school leaders.
Summit Public Schools is currently inviting select candidates for an initial conversation with the organizations' leaders. Conversations will continue until all positions are filled.
To be considered, please complete an application on our job site. When you fill out the application, please:
- Insert a Cover letter expressing the position(s) of interest and how your experience, expertise and aspirations are aligned with the Summit Model Schools
- Attach a resume summarizing educational background and work experience
