Summit Signatures
Summit Signatures
Highly-trained faculty, state-of-the-art resources and innovative curriculum have resulted in distinctive experiences that make The Summit Country Day School's opportunities unique.
- All-School Programs
- Montessori Signatures
- Lower School Signatures
- Middle School Signatures
- Upper School Signatures
All-School Programs
Available in all grades
Character Education
Character Education is the heart of our Notre Dame learning community. It is embedded in everything we do.
World Language
We believe that global literacy prepares our students to engage with diverse people from around the world as together they identify and solve 21st century challenges.
Writing
At The Summit, writing is the vehicle through which we transform our world. We place highly competent teachers with small groups of students, so they receive deep, rich and individualized feedback.
Social Skills
There is no more foundational premise than this: God created us to be social beings – to live in relation and in community with others. We intentionally teach social skills and provide ample opportunities for students to practice them.
Tailored Instruction
The gift of The Summit education is that we individualize our instruction in ways that challenge students to develop the specific skills they need for success.
Montessori Signatures
18m - K
Toddler Classroom
We are one of the few schools in Greater Cincinnati that offer a Montessori experience for toddlers 18- to 36 months.
Enrichment
Your child's mind is like a sponge. That's why we start engaging your children in enrichment programs early. We explore everything from inventors to world geography to fine art to the stars.
Orff Music
Children sing, chant, dance, act, move and play percussion instruments in this method for early childhood music education that teaches listening and participation skills.
Character Education
Kindness is the foundation for Character Education in the Montessori School. Children learn how to greet each other and share materials, teachers stress the importance of having a peaceful classroom and to appreciate diversity.
World Language
We begin to introduce World Language at 18 months to capitalize on the elasticity of the developing brain by stimulating the growth of neural connections related to language.
Writing
Writing at The Summit begins in our toddler classrooms where students trace sandpaper letters as they sound out the letters - aah, buh, cuh. Before they move on to first grade, they've written short stories on what it would be like to be an alien.
Social Skills
There is no more foundational premise than this: God created us to be social beings – to live in relation and in community with others. We intentionally teach social skills and at the earliest age provide ample opportunities for students to foster relationships.
Tailored Instruction
We individualize our instruction in ways that challenge students to develop the specific skills they need for success. Under the careful guidance of highly-skilled faculty, our Montessori students engage in work with natural curiosity and self-direction that helps them develop a love of learning.
Lower School Signatures
Grades 1-4
Conceptual Math
Conceptual Math, a way of teaching why math works, was developed right here at The Summit and it exceeds national curriulum standards.
Five Star Reading
When we teach your child to read, we don't focus simply on the words on the page. We make a conscious effort to help your child understand what they are reading.
Garden for the Good
Here in the Garden for the Good, we teach science, nutrition, environmental stewardship, community service and character at the same time.
Student-Led Conferences
Lower School meet annually with their parents and teachers to demonstrate their progress and identify their perceived areas of strength and areas for needed growth.
Capstone Projects
Capstone projects are the hallmark of the Lower and Middle School Character Education experiences at The Summit. These cross-curricular research projects put character into action on behalf of others.
World Language
We believe that global literacy prepares our students to engage with diverse people from around the world as together they identify and solve 21st century challenges.
Writing
At The Summit, writing is the vehicle through which we transform our world. We place highly competent teachers with small groups of students, so they receive deep, rich and individualized feedback.
Social Skills
There is no more foundational premise than this: God created us to be social beings – to live in relation and in community with others. We intentionally teach social skills and provide ample opportunities for students to practice them.
Tailored Instruction
The gift of The Summit education is that we individualize our instruction in ways that challenge students to develop the specific skills they need for success.
Middle School Signatures
Grades 5-8
Capstone Projects
Capstone projects are the hallmark of the Lower and Middle School Character Education experiences at The Summit. These cross-curricular research projects put character into action on behalf of others.
STEM
In our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program, you can expect your child to be able to solve problems, find and use evidence, collaborate on projects and think critically.
Latin
Our award-winning Latin Program emphasizes academic excellence in the Classics. But our studies go beyond the classroom. We have a reputation as one of the best Latin academic programs in the country.
Band
Our students learn to play their instruments with precision while developing the composure and perseverance needed to perform at high levels.
Advisement
Every adolescent needs a personal champion. Our Advisement program gives our kids that, plus the knowledge that they are not alone in a tightly knit group of peers who are experiencing the same developmental, social, emotional, physical and academic needs.
World Language
We believe that global literacy prepares our students to engage with diverse people from around the world as together they identify and solve 21st century challenges.
Writing
At The Summit, writing is the vehicle through which we transform our world. We place highly competent teachers with small groups of students, so they receive deep, rich and individualized feedback.
Social Skills
There is no more foundational premise than this: God created us to be social beings – to live in relation and in community with others. We intentionally teach social skills and provide ample opportunities for students to practice them.
Tailored Instruction
The gift of The Summit education is that we individualize our instruction in ways that challenge students to develop the specific skills they need for success.
Upper School Signatures
Grades 9-12
Science Research Institute
Students in the Schiff Family Science Research Institute engage in real-world research with working scientists, giving them an advantage when they seek competitive college laboratory positions. Some of our students have carried on their research in college, have been published and received patents.
Entrepreneurial Center
Students in the Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership explore the entrepreneurial mindset as they develop an in-depth understanding of business fundamentals, strategies and case studies. The curriculum offers students an advantage as they pursue a passion for business in college and beyond.
Latin
Our award-winning Latin Program emphasizes academic excellence in the Classics. But our studies go beyond the classroom. We have a reputation as one of the best Latin academic programs in the country.
Chapel Talks
Chapel Talks are the capstone experience of our formal oratory and leadership curricula. The talks are poignant, enlightening and surprising. They reflect the diversity of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds of our student body.
Character Education
Character Education is the heart of our Notre Dame learning community. Our Upper School students reflect on patience, humility, compassion and gratitude in classroom lessons, hands-on service learning, team-building exercises and other experiences.
World Language
We believe that global literacy prepares our students to engage with diverse people from around the world as together they identify and solve 21st century challenges.
Writing
At The Summit, writing is the vehicle through which we transform our world. We place highly competent teachers with small groups of students, so they receive deep, rich and individualized feedback.
Social Skills
There is no more foundational premise than this: God created us to be social beings – to live in relation and in community with others. We intentionally teach social skills and provide ample opportunities for students to practice them.
Tailored Instruction
The gift of The Summit education is that we individualize our instruction in ways that challenge students to develop the specific skills they need for success.