Teaching & Learning

Summit Academy :: Columbus participates in the President's Education Awards Program to recognize students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development each academic year.

What is the educational program? Summit Academy :: Columbus is designed as a therapeutic school with the following program components:

  • Academic Delivery – courses in Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Technology are delivered in a technology rich environment.
  • Therapeutic Martial Arts – a key component, helping students to control and coordinate their actions of both the mind and the body thus improving social behavior and enhancing academic performance. Martial Arts helps to develop a meaningful value system, self-esteem and a positive attitude.
  • Outdoor Experiential Program – a program that challenges students to work as part of a team, develop self reliance and improve interpersonal communication skills.
  • Scouting – students work toward a goal of receiving individual merit badges which serve to strengthen experiential academics and social learning. Scouting fosters group participation, leadership skills, respect for self and others.
  • Sign Language and Chinese – these lessons offer a multi-modal, combined hemisphere means of increasing the receptive and expressive language abilities.
  • Brain Gym – brief physical activities facilitate the coordinated use of selected parts of the brain, increasing attention and concentration.
  • Social Skills Training – role-playing activities and games, videotaping, group discussion and individualized conferences are used to teach social skills.

The instructional program is adapted to each child’s individual learning styles, needs, interests, and rate of learning.

What is the instructional model and how is instruction delivered? With a student-teacher ratio of 15:2, each classroom has a highly qualified teacher and a teaching assistant. In the areas of Reading and Mathematics, each group of 15 students is divided into three small groups. One group receives direct instruction from the teacher while the next group reviews the material with the teaching assistant. The third group is engaged in independent study activities designed to reinforce learning objectives. Many times these activities are computer based.

Emphasis is on whole-brain instruction. Instructional modalities are designed to develop and strengthen neuropathways and cognitive systems needed for greater success in academic learning.

Instruction is designed to be interactive and engaging and is delivered in a technology rich environment.

What curriculum is used at Summit Academy? Summit Academy Community Schools’ curriculum for grades K-12 is called the Academic Content Standards (ACS). The ACS for each grade level (or subject area at the middle school and secondary school levels) spell out the essential things students are expected to know and be able to do at that particular learning level or subject. They offer a solid base on which teachers build rich curricular experiences. Teachers use curriculum guides, textbooks, technology, and other materials to teach the ACS and to make sure every student is learning to his or her potential. Because the ACS details exactly what a child is expected to learn, teachers can tailor the classroom experience to meet a child’s individual needs.

Why are the Academic Content Standards important for our students? The Academic Content Standards (ACS) was adopted by the Ohio Department of Education and governs what students are to learn.

Summit Academy Community Schools strive to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and world-class standards.

How are the Academic Content Standards used in the classroom? The ACS is the standards for academic excellence for all students who attend Summit Academy Community Schools. They are what teachers are to teach and students are to learn. In every Summit Academy classroom, instruction and assessment are tailored so that all students learn the ACS. The ACS is also aligned with the state-mandated Ohio Achievement Test and Ohio Graduation Test, assuring that students are prepared for state tests.

What about students in Special Education? Students in Special Education must be taught the Academic Content Standards to the greatest extent possible. A student’s IEP defines the specially designed instruction, accommodations, and modifications which will allow him to access the Academic Content Standards. The only students not taught the Academic Content Standards are those whose disabilities are so severe that they require instruction in functional daily living skills.

"I CAN" Statements...Summit Academy Staff utilizes the ACS as simple "I CAN" statements so students and parents know what students are learning and what teachers are teaching. Pacing guides have been developed for each subject by nine week sessions (quarters). Power standards (those determined to be crucial to the ongoing learning process are typed in bold print.

QUARTERLY PACING GUIDES



GLE K

GLE 1

GLE 2

GLE 3

GLE 4

GLE 5

GLE 6

GLE 7

GLE 8

  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies

GLE 9

  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies

GLE 10

  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies