STUDENT LIFE

Student Life at The Summit includes a variety of activities and experiences.  All Upper School students have the opportunity and are encouraged to initiate, develop, facilitate, and evaluate activities, clubs, programs, and events.

 Leadership is taught and practiced as students engage in opportunities that range from student government, school dances, after school tutoring of inner-city students, working with advisement groups on high ropes courses, making meals for the homeless, to building and launching rockets from Williams field. Some students may choose to serve Mass or be the defense attorney on a Mock Trial team, compete in state wide competitions in math, science, languages, and social studies, or dance in the chorus of the spring musical. What differentiates The Summit from other schools is the opportunity to participate in an array of activities and the chance to step up to the call of leadership. The Summit culture encourages students to stretch beyond their comfort zone and explore new interests.

            Students who are involved have rewarding experiences at The Summit.  There is an expectation that all students will participate in co-curriculars. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to get involved and to try new things; juniors and seniors are encouraged to create and initiate new ideas, continue traditions, and be positive role models and leaders for younger Summit students.

            The kick-off to a spirited and exciting new school year includes activities and announcements in our morning assembly and a club fair to inform all students of what Student Life has to offer them. The school year winds down with various awards, recognitions, and celebrations of the past year, and in many cases, elections, assessments, and re-visioning for the year to come. 

            In closing, we have attached a descriptive listing of the many clubs and activities at The Summit. We hope you find something that interests you, and if not, students are always encouraged to start something new. 

                                                                                    Sincerely,
                                                                                    Laura Haas
                                                                                    Director of Student Activities

Academic Team
The team competes with other schools in various local and state academic competitions. Since we started competing The Summit has finished #1 in the league and/or the tournament.

Ambassador Program
This program is an opportunity for students to serve the school by assisting the Admission Office with the following:  hosting prospective students, visiting area Middle Schools, speaking on student panels, helping with open houses, tours, and alumni events.

American Youth Foundation Leadership Teams
Interested juniors and seniors attend a summer leadership conference in Michigan and then volunteer to work as peer educators to help other Summit students develop leadership skills. AYF team members plan and facilitate workshops, new student orientations and help to mentor our 9th graders.

Arts Forum
A student directed talent show encourages students to share their artistic talents and gifts with the community. Several times a year, students and faculty enjoy singing, dancing, dramatic readings, poetry, instrumental performances, bands, and comic routines. Some Arts Forums include displays of paintings, drawings, and ceramics.

Band
The school community enjoys several performances by those students involved in the band. The band also participates in sports and other school events, community competitions, and tours.

Book Club
Students meet after school in the library to share opinions and points of view on selected books.

Chess Club
Students gather after school to play and create new strategies.

Chorus and Camerata
The choirs of the Upper School present three major performances each year and often sing at liturgies, and other school and alumni events. The choirs participate in competitions and often enjoy travel opportunities.

Community Forums
The student body selects topics that are pertinent to the common good of the school. These topics are then presented to the student body by student speakers and are followed by faculty and student discussion groups.

Computer Club
This club serves to further educate those with strong interests and skills in various aspects of computer technology, including animation.

Congress
The Congress includes a representative from each advisement group. Every student is expected to serve a minimum of one quarter on the Congress. Congress supports the common good, initiates changes, helps with a number of all school activities, and is critical in organizing various drives and collections.

Diversity and Inclusion
Students discuss and implement ideas that raise awareness and foster cultural and ethnic respect within the school community.

Ellipsis
Ellipsis is a student publication of creative writing and art work. There is much to be shared and thought about at the heart of these artists.

Environmental Club
These students are concerned about the environment and want to make a difference in local and global environmental actions.

Formation Days
The entire Upper School community together participates in a retreat program that fosters the development of one’s relationship with self, others, and God. The program is a progressive four year experience that includes traditional retreats, community service, and experiential outdoor challenges.

French Club
Students can share in cultural activities and studies pertaining to French. The club supports local field trips and international travel.

Grub Club
Students, faculty, and parents meet and eat in the kitchen. The goal is to teach each other about becoming self sufficient in the kitchen while learning to prepare scrumptious, appetizing, and healthy foods.

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program
Each year The Summit participates in the Ohio regional conference of the internationally acclaimed HOBY program. For nearly 50 years HOBY has provide leadership education and development to young people all over the world. This is one of our most popular opportunities with students, every student who has had the opportunity to go has loved their experience.

Homework Club
Student volunteers go to Camp Washington each week to work as tutors with students participating in an after school program.

Ignition Day
The Upper School begins each school year with grade level activities that help faculty and students reconnect and build community. Activities include team building initiatives at Camp Joy, bowling, activities at Miami Whitewater Park, building soap box derby cars, and a trip to the zoo.

Insight
Insight is the student newspaper of The Upper School. Student writers and editors create and produce publications monthly.

INTERalliance
This club works to increase technology awareness and knowledge, learn about IT career choices and offers students opportunities to work with other schools.

Key Club
This is a service club that initiates and facilitates service opportunities for the school community. Associated with the Kiwanis Club the Key Club raises and donates money to student selected causes and programs, and in the process provide education and increased awareness for the school community. Key Club also sponsors a monthly service project for the Upper School including various drives and collections, and plans service activities within the school between different grades.

Latin Club
Students share their passion for Latin and classical studies. The club offers many opportunities for field trips and competitions locally, state-wide, and nationally.

Math Club
Students interested in mathematics enjoy sharing their problem solving skills in after school activities. Throughout the year they compete in various tests and competitions locally, state-wide, and nationally.

Miami Valley Conference Forum
Summit student athletes participate in discussions and activities to promote sportsmanship and athletic integrity with student athletes from other MVC schools.

Mock Trial
This is a statewide program that teaches law through courtroom simulations. Students act as legal teams and court professionals.  They conduct research, build their cases, and compete with other schools in mock trials.  During the process, students have the chance to work with legal professionals as mentors.

National Honor Society
Juniors and seniors who meet qualifications may apply for membership in our chapter of The National Honor Society. Members participate in a school tutoring program and two service projects. 

Outreach
Students work with the Campus Minister and religion faculty to plan Masses, prayer services, and ecumenical services, and to offer support to members of the community in need.

Pep Band
A gifted group of spirited students lend their musical talents to our school’s pep rallies and athletic contests.

Philosophy Club
The philosophy club encourages students to think freely about topics not typically discussed in their classrooms and is meant to foster open-mindedness.

Regional Youth Leadership
Students apply and are invited to participate in the tri-states' Regional Youth Leadership program. This program offers students from school in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky a series of educational experiences and workshops about leadership.

Rostrum
The Rostrum is our school yearbook. Students work as editors and photographers in creating the all-school yearbook. They participate in workshops and training sessions to develop the skills needed for layout, design and publication. This activity involves working with each division of the school and is a wonderful challenge in creative leadership.

Running Club
This is a club organized by the cross country and track coaches to encourage physically fitness through throughout the year and involves running and weight training.

School Dances
Interested students may help Senate plan and implement three school dances each year. All students and guests are invited to the Homecoming dance and the winter dance. Interested students may get involved in selecting themes, decorations, door prizes, refreshments, and the music for each dance. Juniors and seniors are invited to the prom, and the junior class is responsible for planning and implementing the prom.

Science Clubs
There are several science clubs including opportunities for students to work in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental sciences. This clubs attend lectures and seminars, takes field trips, build and launch rockets, engage in lots of hands on experiences, and offer peer education.

Senate
At mid-year twelve juniors are elected to a year’s term on the Student Senate. The Senate is involved in the day to day activities of the Upper School. They are an important link in the communication between administration, faculty, and students. The Senate facilitates activity of the Congress and supports the activities of other clubs and organizations.

Shantytown
This yearly program is a student initiated, planned, and facilitated experiential learning module reflecting on the issues of homelessness. Each year the students select a specific concern that becomes the educational focus of that year’s experience.

Spanish Club
Students can share in cultural activities and studies pertaining to Spanish. The club supports local field trips and international travel.

Spirit Club
Students plan and implement spirit activities such as: pep rallies, spirit days, homecoming festivities, and assembly activities. The Spirit Club promotes and motivates us all to participate and enjoy fully the many activities of The Summit community.

Ski Club
Snow skiing and snowboarding are great stress relievers! Join the ski club and venture to Perfect North and beyond.

Tender Mercies
This is a service activity that involves preparing and delivering brown bag lunches to homeless people in Washington Park each Sunday.

Theater Arts
Actors and actresses of the Upper School perform a dramatic play or comedy in the fall and a musical in the spring. The school has an association with both a thespian group and a Shakespearean organization. In the past some students have enjoyed creating and performing arts for children.

Ultimate Frisbee Club
This is a recreational club that enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee. Meet some new friends and have some fun.

Unity Day
Our spring Unity Day is an event that brings the entire Upper School together for a day of fun and learning with the students from several area grade schools. Students, faculty, and parents work together in the planning and implementing of the day.

Video Productions Club
This club learns about video production while doing projects in video production that are beneficial to the school.

Writer’s Salon
Students interested in writing are invited to write and share their work.  The Writer’s Salon offers a supportive and open climate for creative people.

Youth and City Government
Students choose to participate in the Cincinnati Youth and City Government program.