The Summit School (Grade 7-8)
Y.M.C.A.
29 William Street
Auburn, New York  13021
(315) 253-2019

 Contact Persons:  
Stacey Shehadi - Director of Alternative Education
Elaine Hobart - Guidance Counselor

Program Description:
The Summit School is an alternative education program for middle school students who have experienced difficulty in attaining school success within a traditional environment. This program provides academic classes, on grade level, within a supportive setting that provides small group instruction. The various learning styles of students are taken into account when delivering classroom instruction. Students also participate in a service learning project within the local community. The Summit School utilizes the community as a classroom by providing the opportunity for students to develop social responsibility. The development of pro-social skills and personal responsibility is an important aspect of this program. Responsibility, courtesy, punctuality, communication skills, and self-confidence are specific skill areas that can be developed by participation in this program. Students participate in a full day schedule and are provided bus transportation via the home school district.

Program Location:
The Summit Middle School is housed on the second floor of the Auburn, YMCA  This recently renovated space provides a learning environment within a non-traditional setting and provides students with many opportunities to develop recreational skills after school.  Students are encouraged to become involved in home school sports and other activities that their schedule may allow.

Who Should Participate:

Characteristics of the typical entry level Summit School students who have become most successful include:

- Can be successful with grade level academic work yet have failed to demonstrate this ability.  Are average ability or higher.
- May have a number of risk factors operating within their life setting yet are able to develop some positive relationships with peers and/or adults.
- Appears to be not benefiting from the traditional environment because of class size or imbedded negative routines.  Can be successful interacting in the community. experience.

The Summit School offers students:
- A chance to work hard on things they enjoy.
- Small group instruction toward academic preparation for 9th grade.
- Exposure to the community through community resources and academic field trips.
- A chance to identify their own strengths and weaknesses.
- Accountability for actions.
- Development of self-esteem by stressing their individual importance and goal setting
- Strong channel of communication between home and school.

Referral Process:

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 Students are referred to this program from the home school.  Typically, students have failed to thrive in the traditional environment given available resources.  An application is completed and submitted to The Summit School In-take team at which point in time a meeting is established to discuss program enrollment.  All parties agree to placement and a contract is signed by students and parents.

Staffing:
Four teachers in the core areas of Math, Social Studies, English, and Science are responsible for instruction.  One school counselor is shared within the middle school and high school program. A part-time social worker is also available for crisis management. 

Transition Information:
Students are expected to perform at grade level while attending The Summit School.  Curriculum parallels home school academics.  At appropriate intervals meetings are scheduled that assess student readiness to return to the home school setting.  It is expected that students will either continue within this program, be referred to alternate programming, or return to the home school setting.

Transportation:  
Students are transported to the program via the home school BOCES bus.  Auburn students are provided transportation according to policies set forth by the Board of Education.

Costs:
Component school districts annually submit requests for services.    A tuition rate is established according to program needs and district requests.  Districts receive BOCES Aid on a charge basis per student slot reserved.  Slots are reserved on an annual basis.  Districts may choose to exchange slots during the school year with other districts when the need may arise.