Videos
The Summit Minute
Please enjoy a monthly look at what student life is like here at The Summit.
Historical Tour Series
Explore the history of our landmark 1890 school through the eyes of social studies teacher and campus historian Dr. Tracy Law ’85.
Episode 1: Welcome to The Summit Historical Tour
Discover history about The Summit that even students or faculty may not know in this series created by two alumni, campus historian Dr. Tracy Law ’85 and videographer Ryan Glass ’11.
Episode 2: Farrell Ackley Sideline
In Episode 2 of our video series, hear about the original “Silver Knight” whose contributions to The Summit continue to shape who we are today – both in the classroom and on the athletic field. We offer special thanks to Ken Van Kesteren ’83 who provided original footage of the 1982 Silver Knights football team. #SummitHistory
Episode 3: The Hermitage
Over our 130 years, The Summit has been blessed with the service of memorable priests. Meet Father LaSance, who was also internationally renowned as a religious author. #SummitHistory
Episode 4: The Founding Sisters
Who were the nuns originally interred in the Chapel? Meet the two visionary women who led the Sisters of Notre Dame in founding The Summit. #SummitHistory
Episode 5: The Herrick Entrance
Through the years, many of The Summit’s neighbors have contributed to the community’s success. Learn about a gentleman who also played a key role in 19th century Presidential politics. #SummitHistory
Episode 6: The Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
Geographically and spiritually the center of our community, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel houses a wealth of artistic gems. Hear about the vision that led to the creation of this sacred space.
Episode 7: The Pavilion
After whom was Holmes Gym named? What popular building was here prior to the current one? Hear about some athletic history that you may not know.
Episode 8: The Crucifix
Focus on a well-loved piece of religious iconography, created by a renowned European sculptor, but missing from the Chapel for a decade.
Episode 9: The Front Entrance
What’s in a name? Learn about the litany of names that The Summit has gone by during our 130 year history and what it meant to be a “country day” school.
Episode 10: The Rookwood Fountain
A gift in honor of a graduate, an artistic creation by a 19th century company founded by a female Cincinnati icon – enjoy a closer look with new eyes at one of our many aesthetic gems.
Episode 11: The Main Altar
The eyes of everyone who enters the Chapel are drawn to our stunning Main Altar. Examine the history and artistic beauty of this focal point of so many individual Summit memories.
Episode 12: Mathile Chapel Foyer
From the moment you enter The Summit building, the spirit of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the artistic grace of the art and architecture surrounds us with history, community, and beauty.
Episode 13: Boys Middle School Trophy Case
Go Red Hawks! For decades, Summit boys in red and black took great pride in the pioneering athletic program that not only dominated city middle-school sports, but also shaped generations of young Cincinnati men.
Episode 14: St. Julie Billiart
To understand the mission of any Notre Dame Academic Community, you must first understand the woman and Saint who gave us the motto, “To Grow In Grace and Wisdom.”
Episode 15: St. Cecilia's
Where was the first on-campus graduation ceremony held in 1893? For almost a century, this 3rd floor space has served a variety of spiritual, artistic, and social needs of our community.
Episode 16: Relics
Relics are part of the Catholic Church’s way of honoring and venerating individuals who have been beatified or bestowed with sainthood. See the large collection amassed by the Sisters, and explore the magnificent artistry of these tiny artifacts.
Episode 17: Flannery Gym
With athletic dominance across a variety of sports, where did The Summit's competitive success begin? Hear about the early wins of the Upper School boys basketball, baseball, and lacrosse squads that paved the way for our Summit Knights today.
Episode 18: St. Gregory Dining Hall
Peek into the past with the story of a room where the 1st masses, 1920’s family-style meals, and contemporary commencement gatherings meet the photographic record of every graduating class since 1892.
Episode 19: Tyrrell Middle School Library
Meet The Summit Headmaster who shepherded us through becoming a coed school (twice!) and helped build the independent non-religious leadership structure that today keeps us a strong, vibrant institution.
Episode 20: The Alpha
What about our youngest students? Learn about the Alpha Division, one of Cincinnati's earliest adopters of the Montessori method. From 1925-35, this was home to grades 1-6.
Episode 21: The Boys of Summit
If the mission of the Sisters revolved around educating girls, why were there boys here at The Summit from our first decade? Hear how the responsiveness and flexibility of the nuns were the first steps in our evolution into a co-educational institution.
Episode 22: The Roof
No tour of The Summit is complete without visiting the roof with its unique view of our campus, Hyde Park, and the Ohio River. Learn about the changing footprint of the school over the last 130 years.
Episode 23: The Epilogue
Buildings, uniforms, relationships, academics, extracurriculars... in our final episode, join us in reflecting on what aspects of student life have changed dramatically across the generations - and what elements have remained, becoming foundational parts of The Summit tradition.
Please explore these videos for a peek at what life is like on campus and why we love The Summit. Better yet, see for yourself how we deliver academic excellence every day. Schedule a personal tour.
The Montessori Channel
Our curriculum begins with 18-month-olds.
Montessori Virtual Tour
Children age 18 months to six years get an enriching educational experience here in our Montessori preschool.
Montessori Overview
A leader in early childhood education, we offer a stimulating introduction to classroom education for children 18 months to six years.
The Toddler Classroom
Toddlers from 18- to 36-months old are introduced to an environment enriched by university-trained Montessori curriculum experts.
Enrichment Classes
Recent neurological research confirms what Maria Montessori said so many years ago, children have an infinite capacity to learn.
Orff Music
Music and movement go hand-in-hand with neurological development in preschoolers.
Extended Day
We know a parent's day doesn't always end with the school day. Here, we welcome children before and after school for enriching experiences.
Happy Birthday Tribute
In this joyful birthday greeting for Maria Montessori, our preschoolers talk about what they love about Montessori education.
World Language
Our Montessori presents our children a global view, so it is only natural that our Signature World Language program begins begins with our youngest students.
Lower School Channel
Experiential learning in Grades 1-4
Virtual Tour
Whether our students are inside or outside, they have an amazing campus where they explore our innovative curriculum, small class sizes and a highly trained faculty supported by literacy, math and science specialists.
Value Added
What do parents love about the Lower School? Highly trained and passionate teachers. Amazing facilities. High ideals about community service. And, of course, great academics.
The Summit Challenge
Ninety-seven percent of parents surveyed nationwide say the reason they send their child to a school like The Summit is because they want an education that will challenge their child.
Five Star Reading
Classroom teachers have the support of literacy specialists in guiding students through increasingly more challenging texts. This approach to teaching reading is innovative.
The Daily Five
One of the components of The Summit's Five Star Reading program is the Daily Five, which helps children develop independent literacy habits.
Conceptual Math
Summit teachers use best practices to provide children with enduring understandings of mathematical principles and begin to think algebraically. These big take-aways can last a lifetime.
World Language
By the students graduate from The Summit, it is possible they have studied a World Language for more than 13 years.
It's a Zoo
It's a Zoo starts students on a journey of research writing that will cross the curriculum and lead to higher and higher levels of writing as they advance through the grades.
Dining Services
Dining Services is overseen by staff with degrees in nutrition and advanced training in major culinary schools. Our goals include nutrition, variety, home grown, made from scratch and, of course, tasty.
Extended Day
We know a parent's day doesn't begin and end with the school day. That's why we offer enriching activities before and after school for our children.
New Panel
Middle School Channel
Understanding adolescents in Grades 5-8
Virtual Tour
A highly trained faculty supported by literacy, math and science specialists. Innovative curriculum. Small class sizes. Grades 5-8.
Middle School Overview
Our faculty are experts in how the middle school mind works. We offer advanced, innovative and personalized education to help them become the best versions of themselves.
STEM
The study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics combine in an experiential-learning curriculum that present students with engineering design challenges.
World Language
Middle School students continue a 13-year-plus curriculum that begins with French and Spanish in preschool. Middle School students are introduced to Latin and can study Mandarin.
May Crowning
Every year, Middle School students re-enact the historic May Crowning. Rooted in our Catholic tradition, the ceremony provides opportunites for students to practice leadership.
Wax Museum of Courage
Capstone projects are the hallmark of the Lower and Middle School Character Education experiences at The Summit. In the fifth grade, students research, write and act out an account of a fictional or historical person who exemplified courage.
Hear My Story | Be My Voice
Our eighth grade capstone Character Education project makes every student a published author as they research, interview and write about a real-life person who has been on the frontline of a battle against injustice.
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.
Washington D.C. Trip
A student-produced video shows the 2018 faculty-guided tour of our nation's capitol. This experiential learning advances the student's understanding of U.S. history and government and provides opportunities for independence, leadership and fun.
Dining Services
Dining Services is overseen by staff with degrees in nutrition and advanced training in major culinary schools. Our goals include nutrition, variety, home grown, made from scratch and, of course, tasty.
Extended Day
We know a parent's day doesn't begin and end with the school day. That's why we offer Homework Start and other enriching activities before and after school.
Upper School Channel
Opportunities to lead and excel in Grades 9-12
Virtual Tour
A highly trained faculty supported by literacy, math and science specialists. Innovative curriculum. Small class sizes.
Science Research Institute
The Schiff Family Science Research Institute is a unique-in-Cincinnati experience. Students are enrolled in three courses of study and undertake a summer research project at in a real-life laboratory.
Science Department
Not only does our Upper School Science Department host the Schiff Family Science Research Institute, but it also offers a variety of advanced classes, newly renovated laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.
Hear about the advanced science curricular opportunities we offer.
We've Got Spirit
Become part of the tradition, become part of the legacy, become part of the spirit that is the Summit Country Day School. Become a Silver Knight.
Shadow a Silver Knight
Our Shadow Day experience gives students an authentic view of what a day is like in The Summit's Upper School .
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.
World Language
Our Students have an opportunity to develop proficiency in Spanish, French, Mandarin and Latin before graduating from The Summit. World language is taught at every grade level from pre-school through Grade 12 .
Dining Services
Dining Services is overseen by staff with degrees in nutrition and advanced training in major culinary schools. Our goals include nutrition, variety, home grown, made from scratch and, of course, tasty.
Alumni Voices
Alumni in the News
Video views of our alumni out in the world
Tiffany Chenault '92
In this TEDx Talk, Tiffany Chenault, Ph.D ’92, a sociology professor at Salem State University in Massachusetts, talks about how running helped her shift the weight of grief when she lost her mother to cancer. Now, she’s writing a book about the running culture through the lens of “strong black women who push boundaries.
Aaron Chow ’15
Aaron Chow '15 was able to continue his Science Research Institute project at the University of Michigan. In this TEDx Talk, he discusses his work on prosthetic arms.
Kyle Gundrum ’10
Kyle Gundrum '10 wants people to have more interesting conversations. In his TedxUCincinnati talk, he presents "Break the Rules: Be a Social Catalyst." .
David Thies ’90
David Thies'90, a filmmaker working in Los Angeles, stopped by The Summit's Ragland Family Alumni Parlor in the fall of 2019 to discuss his new movie, the Peanut Butter Falcon.
Brian Washington '98
Brian Brian Washington '98 spoke to Fifth Third Bank about his collection of artwork entitled "The Continual Struggle." A portion of his work was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution and is in the National Underground Railroad and Freedom Center’s permanent collection.
Austin Berry '07
You can find a lot of video online featuring our soccer superstar, Austin Berry '07, but we love this interview when he came home to be the team captain for FC Cincinnati's inaugural season.
Radek Lord '14
You can check out the profile of Radek Lord on the International Movie Data Base to find out about his movie roles. This 2017 Local 12 interview is pegged to his Superbowl commerical and has provides an overview of his Hollywood career to date.
Christine Schiefer '09
Christine Schiefer '09 is a full-time podcaster in Los Angeles working on a true-crime paranormal comedy show called "And That's Why We Drink." Enjoy her presentation of Cautionary Tales Part 1.
Caroline Karbowski '18
Caroline Karbowski '18 explains the impact 3D printing has made on the blind and the possibilities of utilizing the technology in the future.
All-School Channel
News and Views
Short features of our campus and all-school experiences.
Birds-eye View
This drone videography shows why we're called The Summit and how very close we are to downtown Cincinnati.
Hands Across the Water
Hands Across the Water is our largest, annual service-learning project. We raise awareness among students and in the community about the global water crisis and raise funds for the Sisters of Notre Dame Clean Water Fund.
The Five Pillars
Our five-pillar mission challenges us to develop students academically, spiritually, physically, socially and artistically so they can use their God-given talent to improve the world they inherit.
IgKnight Music & Movement
Neuroscientists and experts in early childhood development have demonstrated that music helps the brain make the connections needed for virtually every kind of intelligence. Our class is for newborns to 24-month-olds.
Investing in The Summit
Summit has a long tradition of philanthropy which broadens our community, preserves our landmark campus and secures our future.
My Summit Story: 2019-20
More members of our community share how The Summit has touched their lives.
Julia Rosa Helm '19
Julia Rosa Helm, a lifer who was valedictorian of the 2019 graduating class, walks through campus to show how the generosity of others made an impact throughout her school years.
Tom Theobald SBS '50
'Somebody else has been helping you all along.'
– Tom Theobald SBS '50, Summit Foundation Chair
Sister Rose Ann Fleming '50
'Summit is educating for life.'
– Sister Rose Ann Fleming '50, Great Living Cincinnatian, former Head of School, former teacher, alumnae
Ansong and LaDreka Karikari
'Life is all about paying forward. To whom much is given, much is required.'
Carolyn Karageorges
'Giving to the Annual Fund is our way of giving back to the community.'
Chris O'Brien BMS '96
'The best thing about The Summit is the faculty. The next best thing is the diversity.'
– Chris O'Brien '96, parent and alum
Tricia Headley GMS '87
'I love the community feeling and the feeling of The Summit being a family.'
– Tricia Headley GMS '87, parent and alumnae
Allison (Hiltz) Kropp '93
'My Summit Story is really about growing in grace and wisdom.'
– Allison (Hiltz) Kropp '93
Laura Haas
'Servant leadership has been the part of The Summit that has been most productive for me'
– Laura Haas, Upper School Teacher, Leadership & Student Activities Coordinator, Former Coach
Gina (Baluyot) Saba '84
'Summit is important to me. I have a history here at The Summit, and now I've passed it on to my kids.'
– Gina (Baluyot) Saba '84, parent, parent of alumni, alumnae
Wayne and Christine (Castleberry) Lippert '89
'The Summit has become more impressive over time.'
– Wayne and Christine (Castleberry) Lippert '89, current parents, alumni, Board of Trustee and Alumni Board members
Victoria Wilhelmy '18
'I did not have to fit into a mold...I could do multiple things.'
– Victoria Wilhelmy '18, alumnae
My Summit Story: 2018-19
Members of our community share how The Summit has touched their lives.
Rich Wilson
'Summit gives kids opportunities they wouldn't get elsewhere.'
– Rich Wilson, Head of School, parent of Summit alumni
Missy Fox '88
'A great foundation was laid for me.'
– Missy Fox '88, President of Alumni Board, Chair of Alumni Philanthropy Committee, alumnae
Mary Ann Weber
'Summit has so many great things to offer.'
– Mary Ann Weber, mother and grandmother of alumni
Louis Valencia BMS '78
'Sense of Family, Sense of Security, Sense of Belonging'
– Louis Valencia BMS '78, parent and alumnus
Andy Ritch
'I love the people that my kids are becoming.'
– Andy Ritch, parent, trustee, chair of the Business Affairs Committee
Dr. Victoria Delamerced
'It takes a village to raise kids and our village was The Summit.'
– Dr. Victoria Delamerced, parent of alumni, former trustee
Ty Moore '02
'There's this excitement, this energy...'
– Ty Moore '02, alumnus, former trustee
Cecilia Johnson
'Embraced by community'
– Cecilia Johnson, teacher, parent
Suzanne McHugh
'Embraced by community'
– Suzanne McHugh, parent and alumni parent, parent volunteer
Views on Philanthropy
These videos show how vital the culture of philanthropy is in the vitality of our school.
Summit Is a Life-Changing Experience
'I Young Summit alumni talk about the difference that endowed scholarships made in their lives.
What Summit Alumni Say
Young alumni of The Summit Country Day School reflect on the advantages and opportunities they received which made the transition into college easier.
Annual Fund Kickoff Video
This kickoff video for the My Summit Stories series explained the role the annual fund plays in overall operating expenses.
2015 Senior Gratitude Video
https://vimeo.com/130355624In our Summit Signature Character Education Program, seniors are asked to reflect on gratitude. In this video, we asked some members of the class of 2015 how blessed they truly are.
Sister Rose Ann Fleming '50
Sister Rose Ann Fleming '50 SNDdeN was a lifer, a teacher and former head of The Summit. From her offices at Xavier University's Cintas Center, she talked to us in this 2014 about her calling to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and how The Summit maintains the charism of these founding sisters.
The Time Capsule
Years in Review
The faces may change, but every year adds something special to our traditions.
2018-19 Year in Photos
A lot can happen in the course of a year at The Summit.
2015-16 Year in Photos
We celebrated our 125th anniversary in 2015-16 in virtually everything we did.
2015 All-School Photo in Time Lapse
Just for fun, here's a time-lapse video provided courtesy of the Student Senate of us gathering for this historic all-school photo.
2015 Senior Gratitude Video
https://vimeo.com/130355624In our Summit Signature Character Education Program, seniors are asked to reflect on gratitude. In this video, we asked some members of the class of 2015 how blessed they truly are.
2013-14 Year in Photos
The 2013-14 year began with an outdoor Mass on the football field.
2012-13 Year in Photos
Our 97 graduates in the class of 2013 earned over $15 million in scholarships; 83% received merit scholarship awards; 21% received full-tuition scholarships. A single student was offered nearly $1 million in scholarships.
2011-12 The Summit Advantage
On graduation day in 2012, we asked some of our graduates to talk to us about the advantage they received because of their Summit education. Following tradition, they are dressed in tuxedos and formal gowns.
Oldies but Goodies
These videos may be a bit dusty, but their sentiments still resonate with us today.
Aim High
Filmed in 2010, this television commercial reflects the "Aim High" ideals of The Summit through interviews with students, teachers and alumni of the time. It includes interviews with alumni who went to University of Pennsylvania and Harvard.
What Summit Alumni Say
Filmed in 2017, this original version of our "What Alumni Say" video, featured young alumni who reflected on the advantages and opportunities they received which made the transition into college easier.
Respect the Game
2012 was a fabled year for our state-championship basketball team. The Ohio High School Athletic Association featured our own Kevin Johnson '12 on the jumbo-tron asking fans to "Respect the Game." Posted with permission.
Student Voices
Filmed in 2015, Summit students talk about the aspects of The Summit they appreciated the most.
Ravin Alexander '18
Michael Hudson '17
Sammy Hunt '15
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.