The value in a classical Christian education exceeds the "small class size" and "want my children to get into a good college" mindset that many people express. The value lies in training students to develop critical thinking skills while also thinking eternally. We take that adorable 5 year old and start dreaming of the kind of 30 year old or 50 year old they will become. By partnering with their parents Summit faculty and staff disciple those young students toward the person that God has created them to be.

Enjoy the following videos that provide testimonials for parents, students, and educators across the nation on why they value classical education and its impact on future generations.
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Being a new student in a new school especially in a new city is not a super fun situation. It’s challenging. You need to learn good social skills quickly if you aren’t good with people. I personally have deep roots in a topic like this. My parents have jobs that require moving every 1-2 years and as a result, much of my youth has been trying to catch up in a new learning environment. I love people and want to be friends with everyone. However, I have learned that this is not always easy. When you move into a new place, people don’t know you, so you have to ease your way into others lives. Personally, I have to slow myself down from just putting myself out there that so I can hurry up and act like we’ve been friends since pre-k and skip the whole warming up to someone. Other people may have trouble putting themselves out there and making themselves socially active. According to Freshman, E.Collier, “Its really hard to fit into a new school especially in a small private school because klicks have already been formed.”Here are some tips to navigate a new social environment:

• Be active in conversations
• Avoid causing drama
• Smile and have positive attitudes
• Be kind and complimentary
• Have humility
• Share about yourself
• Don’t change who you are, but try and make connections with other’s personalities
• Act comfortable in your own skin (even if you’re faking it)

 
            After easing your way socially, knowing the academic environment is also important for new kids. Not all schools are equal when it comes to student expectations. For me, I have been to schools that I have done very well in, and I have been in schools that took more effort to get good grades. It just really depends on your pace in comparison with the school. It won’t be easy trying to catch up if you’re struggling, but mix in some resilience and perseverance and you have the concoction for success.

Summit has had an average of 30 new  students each year over the last five years. When asked about new kid experiences, Seventh grader, L.Larson said, “It was very fun for me because I’m sociable.” She also mentioned to be yourself when you are in new territories, “...people like the true, genuine you.” Sophomore, E.Davidson said that she felt like relationships were much more tight knit because of the small school situation. With hard work, patience, and faithful attitude, you can feel like you belong in a new school environment.
 
 By Jackson Nassir, Sophomore 

Check out this blog article / video from The Classical Difference:

http://info.classicaldifference.com/blog/geronimo-amen-part-1-dont-miss-the-blessing

Ms. Emily Grant, Science teacher at Summit,  oversees the science fair, told us why she likes science.  She said, “I feel like there are things in science that explain how the world works and it kind of gives you insight into the eye of God a little bit, and see how He works a little bit, and it kind of like a way of worshiping him that that you don’t get if you aren’t studying science.” Science can let us learn more about God and His creation.  It allows us to understand the unseen and glorify God in another way.  

Science fair is one of the biggest events of the year at our school.  The 7thand 8thgraders experimented on a topic of their choice to present at the science fair.  They are guided through the scientific method and other writing and data collecting skills.  They first start with research of their topic.  Then, they hypothesize and perform the experiment.  After, they analyze their results.  To show what they learned and how they performed this experiment they write a paper walking others through the scientific method applied to their project. One of the judges, Destiny Phillips, an alumna, gave us her thoughts on one of the projects.  She said, “The best project I’ve seen so far was a project about slime. She was very thorough in her project, very neat.  And she talked about how she took regular slime, and then put different chemicals in it like lemon juice, shaving cream, instant snow and it changed form, changed smell, change texture.  So, I thought is really interesting to take something cool and make it even cooler.”  The reason we do the science fair at Summit is to teach the students skills that they will need in the future.  We also do it to give them an understanding as to how the world works and that God created it all.   

Written by Kristin Lay, Freshman

Technology is a big part of our world today. We need it for medical purposes and to communicate.  The world couldn’t live without it. But, nowadays people are taking advantage of it.  People are constantly staring at a screen all day. Always have a device with them whether it’s a computer, tablet, or phone. Checking their facebook or Instagram or snapchat. People spend so much time on technology that they never talk to other people.  Or, people are texting each other in the same room instead of talking to each other in real life; they think that being on their phone is more important than just being social.

Lots of people are starting to think that technology (or virtual reality) is better than reality. This month, a movie called Ready Player One is coming out. The main character thinks living in virtual reality is better than living in the real world. A lot of people agree, based on my personal experiences. I know someone who says that they like to play video games to escape the real world. But, it’s not. In virtual reality you don’t have your family or friends. Its just you. In a fake realm, virtual reality isn’t even authentic. Why do people want to live in a fake world and have nothing? Why not live in the real world with everything that you have? James Comey, a former FBI Director, says, “Technology has forever changed the world we live in. We're online, in one way or another, all day long. Our phones and computers have become reflections of our personalities, our interests, and our identities. They hold much that is important to us.”  So, technology has taken over our lives, literally. Thousands of people know who we are and don’t even know them.  Technology gives us a chance to escape our life. Do we really know how much technology is taking over our lives?

Written by Kristin Lay, Freshman, Marketing Intern

Dear Summit Families, Faculty, and Staff;
 
I hope you were able to attend tonight's State of School meeting.  If not, you will find the recorded meeting on our Facebook page, and I have attached my presentation notes via the link at the bottom of this post.
 
I am writing to you for two specific reasons.  The first is to inform you that re-enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year has begun.  Thank you for partnering with Summit in the education and discipleship of your children.  Please re-enroll early as this allows us to make commitments to our teaching staff for the next school year. We are offering an early re-enrollment incentive fee of $65/student through February 16th.
 
The second and primary reason I am writing to you is to announce some exciting news.  Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, Summit will merge with Calvary Classical School.  This merger is long in coming, and I am grateful to the leadership of the four governing Boards for their vision and work to reach this decision: the Session of Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Calvary School Board, the Board of Elders at Peninsula Community Chapel, and the Summit School Board.
 
Why a school merger?  The simplest answer is we can do more together.  A merged school, two strong classical Christian schools working together as opposed to separately, will provide long-term benefits for all students.  These include a better overall economy of scale, the ability to reevaluate and improve curricula, improvements to facilities, more extracurricular opportunities, and greater resources for both teachers and families.  The merged school will operate under the governance of Peninsula Community Chapel and under the Summit Christian Academy name.  I invite you to review the State of the School presentation for more details on this merger.
 
"Two strong traditions, one great future."
 
So what happens next?  There is much to be done in the next eighteen months.  In addition to the administrative work in front of us, a number of committees will be necessary to proactively address policy, best practices, procedures, and programs; and I will be inviting you to be a part of this process as a "founder" of this new school.  Ryan Noppen, the Headmaster at Calvary, and I know you may have questions or concerns about this merger, and we look forward to discussing it further with you. We will host a number of informational meetings this year to field questions and hold discussions.  As always, I am available to meet with you individually.
 
For the past year, we have celebrated our "Catch the Vision!" theme, thanking God for the first twenty years of Summit and praying for what He will do in the next twenty years.  I firmly believe this is one of the Lord's first big answers to our prayers.  I look forward to keeping you informed, and I look forward to the journey together!
 
In the grip of His grace,
 
Tim Grimes

For presentation notes, please click here.

In years past it was easy choosing a school for your child. More times than not, parents chose the one closest to their neighborhood where their children could walk to school. Today we have a plethora of choices to include boarding schools, public schools, charter schools, Christian schools, trade schools, and homeschool.  But which is really the best option?

Choosing the right school for your child can be a laborious and overwhelming task, yet such an important one. Parents want the best for their children, and spend hours researching online and polling friends trying to determine the best school for their child. I suggest starting the process with a question.

What kind of citizen do you want your child to be in 20 years? 30 years? 50 years? It’s a paradigm shift from thinking solely “What school offers the best academics and AP classes?” or “Which school offers the most extracurricular activities?” or even “Which school will allow my child to get into a good college so he or she can get a good job?” These aren’t unimportant questions; in fact, they are reasonable. But do they represent all that you desire, as a parent, for your child in their life?

The formative educational period lasts 18 years, and those are valuable years when a child’s worldview is formed. Who is helping form that? What school is actively partnering with parents to train students to reason well and develop a strong moral compass?

I suggest that a classical discipleship school is an option worthy of consideration: a school that trains students how to think on an unchanging foundation of biblical truth. Whether your child is an auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learner, choosing a school whose curriculum engages all types is a relevant decision. Finding a school where curiosity and questions are encouraged, debate and discussions are frequent activities in the classroom, and students are motivated to serve others as Christ’s Ambassadors is also significant in the decision process.

Students at a classical discipleship school will develop perseverance that builds character and where they will grow into a community of educated learners who will succeed in the “adult world’ whatever college they choose. They will know Truth and be able to engage in conversations about it with people from all different paths in life. They will know how to ask questions that encourage conversations. And they will serve as God’s Light to others in their communities.
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Do you have an answer for – “What kind of citizen do you want your child to be in 20 years? 30 years? 50 years?”  I encourage you to think and pray about it.
 
Dana Tumminello
Director of Admissions & Marketing
Summit Christian Academy

He hit first, he insulted me, he started it, and she started it.  In any fight, we are always reluctant to claim our share of the blame.  It starts out when we are kids and carries through the rest of our lives.  The problem with this is we are never absolved of blame for a violent encounter, whether the medium is words or fists. 

Even in the ancient Christians, persecuted by Nero, they did something that caused them to be targeted.  They refused to worship him as a god.  They defied his authority, and rightly so, in a very public and blatant way.  There is always responsibility on both sides.  This stands true, proven over the ages, sometimes it is beyond our control, like being a different color or a different gender.  Other times it is not, like having a stubborn attitude or refusing to try to understand.  In any case, we always need to recognize our share of the blame. 

There is a prevalent example of this that is in the forefront of our brains with the recent developments in Charlottesville.  I know some people have already tuned out, thinking they know what they are going to hear, or refusing to hear at all so they can “be right”.  It was a tragedy that claimed the life of one person and the relationship between much more.  But what came after the riot was over shocked me. 

Several media sources The Unite the Right protestors were terrible, horrible, no good, very bad people who should be universally condemned by all, and the ANTIFA, were noble, martyred defenders of right thinking.  This shocked me because I saw a video of people wearing shirts with ANTIFA embossed on them run up to a disabled veteran, mock him, take his water bottle and soak him with it.  Is this noble? And this is only the beginning. 

On both sides, there were things done that have no place in our “City on a Hill”.  As long as we choose to remain blind to our faults we will never move beyond this infighting.  We cannot afford this if we want to set the example for the rest of the world.  “A house divided against itself cannot stand”, and right now we are divided.  Each of us needs to be the bigger person and admit where we are wrong, claim responsibility for our faults and work to fix them.   This is a time to draw together and stand strong.  Not a time to continually fight against each other.  We are one nation, under God, Indivisible, so let’s act like it. 
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I commit to fixing my flaws and owning up to them, even when it’s hard, will you join me?

Written by Aaron Weddle, Junior, Summit Christian Academy

Dear Summit Parents;

Recently I went to see Dunkirk. There is no pause in this movie – the action is gripping, the cinematography is fantastic, and the story lines are intricately woven in a creative, fascinating way. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

While the characters are fictional, the themes of the story are real. Each of the primary characters in each of the three stories (you will understand when you see the movie) display a tenacity that only conflict draws out of a person. There is the soldier who overcomes all misfortune to survive again and again. There is the pilot who is singularly focused on the offensive, repeatedly risking his own life. And there is the boat captain, understanding the cost of commitment and personal sacrifice for the good of others.

There are parallels in this movie to a life of faith. Paul clearly understood our life of faith is a challenge, and he wrote some very difficult words to his disciple, Timothy, in the second letter, chapter 2:

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since
his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to
the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what
I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 

The soldier, the athlete, the farmer – all considered to be occupations demanding diligence, tenacity, and faith. Suffering, competing, hard-working – are these adjectives that describe you? That describe me? How about a more difficult question – is this what you desire for your children?

Those are tough questions, but I am encouraged by how Paul ends this thought in verse 7, promising the Lord will give us understanding. By His grace He will accomplish this understanding in us. By grace He will accomplish this understanding in our children!

One of the chapel themes this year is The Amazing Race, encompassing ideas such as preparation, training, hurdles, team, and the “perfect” runner (Jesus). What great lessons these will be as the children grow in their faith at home, in their church fellowships, and at school. As we know this is a process, it lasts a lifetime, and it will be tested. As a school it is our joy to partner with you in this process of preparing your sons and daughters academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.

Welcome back to a new school year. Thank you for praying for the school, and for praying for each student, for each family, and for each teacher. Pray that together we will fight the good fight, that we will finish the race, that we will keep the faith (4:7).

In the Grip of His Grace, ​

Tim Grimes, Headmaster 

Mrs. Hardison is an English teacher at Summit Christian Academy. We recently spoke and I had the chance to ask her about her Top 10 favorite books.  I originally asked for her Top 5, but she said that it was too hard to choose. I have included my recommendations on several of her choices too. Here are Mrs. Hardison’s Top 10 favorite books.

1) To Kill A Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee [Mrs. Hardison’s favorite book of all time!]
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2657.To_Kill_a_Mockingbird

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it. To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.
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I loved To Kill a Mocking bird because of the story line and the bond between the families.

2) Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies

When a plane crashes on a remote island, a small group of schoolboys are the sole survivors. From the prophetic Simon and virtuous Ralph to the lovable Piggy and brutish Jack, each of the boys attempts to establish control as the reality - and brutal savagery - of their situation sets in.​

3) A Separate Piece, by Robyn Spencer
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17715268-a-separate-piece
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Mykel, a young mature nine-year-old, learns of her parent's separation; unfortunately, while moving out of the house. Her faith in God, good friends, and great communication skills helps her through this difficult transition.

I loved A Separate Peace because of the bond between the main characters Finny and Gene and the troubles they experience together. I also enjoyed the plot and the time period (40s) of the story.

4) The Last Sin Eater, by Francine Rivers
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/95622.The_Last_Sin_Eater

All that matters for Cadi Forbes is finding the one man who can set her free from the sin that plagues her, the sin that has stolen her mother's love from her and made her wish she could flee life and its terrible injustice. But Cadi doesn't know that the “sin eater” is seeking as well. Before their journeys are over, Cadi and the sin eater must face themselves, each other, and the One who will demand everything from them in exchange for the answers they seek. A captivating tale of suffering, seeking, and redemption.

I loved The Last Sin Eater because of the characters and the suspense involved as you discover who actually is the Sin Eater.

5) Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
https://www.amazon.com/Fahrenheit-451-Novel-Ray-Bradbury

Ray Bradbury’s internationally acclaimed novel Fahrenheit 451 is a masterwork of twentieth-century literature set in a bleak, dystopian future.

6) The Good Earth, by Pearl Buck
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1078.The_Good_Earth

This tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall.

7) The Pearl, by John Steinbeck
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5308.The_Pearl

Like his father and grandfather before him, Kino is a poor diver, gathering pearls from the gulf beds that once brought great wealth to the kings of Spain and now provide Kino, Juana, and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then, on a day like any other, Kino emerges from the sea with a pearl as large as a sea gull’s egg, as “perfect as the moon.” 

I loved The Pearl because of the determination and depths the main character will go to ensure his family’s happiness and protection - the no matter what happens.

8) Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10365.Where_the_Red_Fern_Grows

A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains, and Billy had the will to make them into the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. Where the Red Fern Grows is an exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.

9) The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18114322-the-grapes-of-wrath

First published in 1939, Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads, driven from their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into haves and have-nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity.

10) The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7190.The_Three_Musketeers

One of the most celebrated and popular historical romances ever written. The Three Musketeers tell the story of the early adventures of the young Gascon gentleman d'Artagnan and his three friends from the regiment of the King's Musketeers: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.

Mrs. Hardison said that she picked all these books because they’re so different, but they all have interesting themes and well developed characters. If you want to read a good book, then try one of Mrs. Hardison’s top picks. I’m sure one of them will have you hooked!
 
Book Summaries provided by Good Reads and Amazon, links are provided for your reference. Simply click on your pick!

Written by Taylor Avery, Freshman, Summit Christian Academy

Students of SCA, 
 
I know exactly what you’re feeling. High school definitely isn’t easy. Whether it’s homework, a project, or exams, there always seems to be something to do. Days always seem like a constant process of going from one class to another. Weeks begin to fly by, but before you know it, your high school years are done and dusted. As a freshman, four years probably seems like a painfully long time. As a 7th Grade student, six years undoubtedly seems like an eternity.
 
As someone who has spent six years at Summit, trust me: it isn’t.
 
Before you can even say “Discern, Articulate, Serve” three times, what once seemed like a never-ending onslaught of homework in 8th Grade will turn into the question of “What happens now?” as you stand on the gym stage at graduation as a junior classman. During your junior year, while holding a hot melting candle that’s burning your hand, you will be pronounced as the next senior class of Summit Christian Academy at the graduation ceremony. While this thought may be more exciting for some than others, at the end of the day, the majority of juniors can all agree that the moment came quicker than they expected (or wanted.)
 
Even if it’s true, why is that important?
 
Here’s some senior advice: “Enjoy your high school years!” They will be long gone before you know it, and you’ll wish you had listened to my advice.
 
Go sit with the student section at homecoming. Dance the night away at Soirée. Crush another class during Battle Cry Week. Chow down on pizza with friends during your class party. Enjoy high school. Whenever an adult asks you the same recycled question, “What grade are you in?” you will typically get the same reply when you answer. “You’re a junior? Oh, I remember those good ol’ days back in my time! I wish I could relive them all over again…”
 
If you haven’t caught the reoccurring theme, most adults wish they could travel back in time and relive their high school/college years. Why? In high school, you will make memories and bonds that will last you a lifetime. Almost every adult remembers enjoyable or life-changing moments during high school. If you don’t slow down and enjoy the time you have now, you’ll never make these memories. If you don’t take the time to interact with your classmates, you’ll never make the friends which you will keep with you for a lifetime.
 
That all sounds great, but can I even do that at Summit?
 
At Summit, you have the opportunity to do this more than at most schools. With classmates more inseparable than white on rice, you are bound to meet people who you will keep in contact with long into your life. As a 7th Grade student, there were two seniors who mentored and supported me during my first year of Summit. I still keep in contact with both of them, even though I am the senior now. I haven’t even mentioned my class yet.
 
While you should focus on your academics, always remember that high school is a time in your life where you are growing and changing like never before. High school is a time where you are with your friends daily, and a time when you are able to do things you may miss doing as an adult.  No matter what it seems like, school won’t last for an entire lifetime. What will last for a lifetime are the memories that you make here with your friends, as long as you slow down and enjoy the moment.
 
Like Winnie the Pooh once said:
 
“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It's today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

​Written by Matt Nalls, Senior, Summit Christian Academy

EVERYTHING STARTS TO COUNT...when you begin your freshman year of high school.  And what could be more frightening?  Tardies, test scores, studying, and exams… They all start to add up!  Every grade point average that you will receive throughout the next four years of your life will help determine your future, and any colleges will be able to see them!  These facts, and many other worries of the unpredictable future, are just a starter to get a lowly freshman stressed out in just a few moments.  In fact, according to theatlantic.com, a July 2015 study provided by journal.frontiersin.org, half of the population of high school students are continually stressed over their academic future.  Many students begin stressing over their classes also- hard or easy. 

Stressed out?  Here’s five ways to calm down, proven to work:

• Breathe.  Literally.  Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, assure yourself that you can do it.  Deep breathing is proven to lower stress.
• Turn it up.  Play music that will energize you, if only for a few moments, take your mind off of the situation, or maybe something that helps you to focus more, like classical music.
• Laugh.  Laughter helps you to mentally be more positive and upbeat, as well as relieve stress.
• Try tea.  A few studies have shown that drinking tea has dropped cortisol levels and increased relaxation feelings in the body.
• Exercise.  No.  Not the strenuous weight-lifting or 5K.  A quick stretch or minute-long walk will do, just to get yourself moving for a minute or take a small break and quickly cut down the stress factor level.

 
What’s wrong and how to fix it:
Academically, as high schoolers, assignments will naturally be tougher for students to do well and in a timely manner.  If you are having a hard time completing an assignment, feel overwhelmed, or if you are not understanding a lesson, it is important that you let your teacher know this.  If you are having constant trouble with a particular teacher’s method of teaching or a class that confuses you, your teacher may want to instill another method of tutoring or extra practice for you.  At Summit Christian Academy, teachers care about the well-being of their students and support them as best as they can, in and out of class. 

And everything else?
Well, besides academics, family, and sleeping, high schoolers tend to be engaged in extracurricular activities and jobs.  Extracurriculars take time- sports, clubs, community service, and college applications- they’re all important, but what’s best?  Well, obviously, academics should be the main priority, but what comes next?  How do you know what colleges are looking for and what to invest your time into?  First, try looking at the website campusexplorer.com.  This is a free site that provides you with information to help fulfill higher education needs of students and making you aware of any and all types of colleges fit for you.  But the question remains.  What’s next?  Are sports more important that being in student council, or should I drop music to fit in more community service hours? One is not more important than the other because there are universities that are specific and support all types of interests of students.  What’s next is up to you, but you don’t have to sign up and be a part of everything; it is likely to create stress.  Remember:  Colleges may look at your extracurriculars and community service hours, but they are not likely the final determining factor.  Grades should not suffer because you were too busy trying to do everything! Take it easy, take a break once in a while! 

High school is important.  The things you choose to spend your time on will affect your entire life, good or bad, and shape the way you view different aspects of your life.  The way you interact with your teachers, friends, and family, all will have a lasting impact.  The things that are or become important to you will become obvious, and people are watching, not just when you do something well.  That’s why academics, sports, family, and other extracurriculars all start to count… Ninth grade year.

Written by Sydney Cartwright, Freshman, Summit Christian Academy

Sheri Clegg, Upper School Principal

A recent live telecast was launched by ABC’s 13 News entitled “Our Kids, Our Future.” Sue Freeman and Sheri Clegg attended the telecast at CNU to witness the opening discussion on four statewide concerns of which included the state budget and Standards of Learning (SOL). In attendance to discuss topics and answer questions from the audience was a panel of representatives from the Senate, Boards of Education, city Mayors, local School Superintends and members, Teachers’ Union Representatives, and a Hampton Roads college professor. Bottom-line discussion about the budget revealed; 1) schools reporting 30 – 35 students per classroom, 2) teachers without raises for years,
and 3) the unpopularity of, and wasteful spending on, SOL testing. 

Because 50% of Virginians polled earlier in the month opposed the SOLs, this topic supplanted all other planned discussions for the evening. Major takeaways from the panel discussion and teacher responses are presented below:

Sheri Clegg, Upper School Principal

SOLs, and the like, govern the public education domain nationally. This modern education phenomenon  is data-driven by state standards reducing successful education to merely what is measurable. Education, then, becomes a definition of what can be regurgitated on standardized tests rather than what can be acquired — true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. At the center of modern education is the student, not God who is the center of all things. There is no Bible curriculum in state-run schools.

Sheri Clegg, Upper School Principal

Is a superlative Christian education possible? Consider God’s words in Jeremiah 29:11, 13. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope…You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

The plans for his people are to have the best, including top-notch education for his children. Public education is flawed; leaving out major components of child development, and depending on the school’s vision, Christian education could be no more than a hybrid public education complete with the biblical insignia.

Ask most Christian parents what they want for their child and they would agree they want their child to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. At Summit, teachers want the same for their students. A biblical worldview is taught in all classes so students understand that God is active and alive and Creator of our world. As a foreign exchange student commented last year, “This God of yours is everywhere. I walk into English class and He is there. I go to Physics class and He is there.” With the foundation of God’s Word in all subjects, a classically trained student at Summit is taught important skills that will help them make a lasting impact on their world.

They are instructed to:
• Think critically
• Reason well
• Clearly articulate their thoughts, questions, and most importantly, their faith
• Express a Christian worldview in a culture frequently removed from biblical foundations.

These tools prepare our students to confidently make a lasting impact on the world today, tomorrow and wherever God leads them in the future.

Contact Dana Tumminello for more information or to schedule a tour of our campuses.