Dear Summit School Family and Friends,

The soul of Summit School is expressed in our mission: To provide a challenging curriculum in a caring environment to help students develop their full potential. The same combination of courage and vision that led founder Louise Futrell in 1933 to develop a program committed to the wonders, richness and complexity of each child leads our Summit community to embrace our 2011 – 2016 Strategic Plan: Developing Our Full Potential. This dynamic plan extends our reach into the future while remaining true to our roots as we focus on three areas: Exceptional Educators, Inspiring Learning and Effective Communication. The snapshots outlined in this report reflect a robust plan that is well underway--and that inspires our children to reach their full potential.

SAIS/SACS Re-accreditationAs part of our re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Summit hosted a visiting team of evaluators on October 16 – October 18. The team, comprised of independent school colleagues from throughout the region, offered nearly 25 commendations to our faculty, staff, students, administration, board and parents. Perhaps most telling were these three comments from the visiting team:

“[Summit has] created an environment where children feel valued for their unique gifts and interests and genuinely enjoy the everyday school experience.”

“We commend you for aiming to maintain both ‘roots and reach’ in the desire to honor past traditions while moving forward with innovative experiences.”

“You are one of the great schools of the Southeast. You demonstrate courage, energy and hard work. Your school community has made great use of the accreditation process. You have the opportunity to build on your many strengths and take it to the next level.”

SAIS-SACS accreditation is recognized worldwide as a symbol of quality in education. The visiting team unanimously recommended accreditation, which will be in force for five years.

State of the School Report 2012

Fiscal HealthWith the leadership and teamwork of a strong Finance Committee, a committed board, and disciplined fiscal management internally, Summit ended the past fiscal year with a balanced budget. In keeping with our strategic goals, our 2011-12 budget focuses on faculty salary and benefits, with modest salary and retirement increases; instructional materials and program, including adding a choral program and a mathematics program for gifted students; support for enrollment efforts; targeted use of financial aid; and increased professional development for faculty and staff, including the initiation of the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

Administrative costs remain low at Summit compared to our sister schools. Our tuition has increased a modest average of 3.1% over the past three years. Summit’s long-term financial strength looks robust. Our commitment to fiscal prudence has served us well and will help ensure a sustainable model and a promising future for the school.

Expenses : 2011-2012 Budget $11.3 million

65%

12%

9%

8%

6%

Revenue Sources : 2011-2012 Budget $11.3 million

s

84%

4%

6%4% 2%

Other

Auxiliary Programs

Endowment Income

Annual Giving

Tuition & Fees

Admin/Other

Financial Aid

Instructional

Plant & Operations

Salaries & Benefits

Admission and EnrollmentSummit’s enrollment of 514 students has remained steady compared to last year, with 80 students in Lower School Early Childhood, 229 in Lower School Elementary, and 205 in Upper School. Our families come from 25 ZIP codes and 17 different communities.

Under the leadership of our new Director of Admissions Nancy Tuohy, we are committed to further growth toward a 21st century admission program that supports our Strategic Plan. Critical to admissions success are efforts that are underway to research and implement a personalized enrollment, recruitment and retention model that is sensitive to the needs of families. The new program will convey the quality of a Summit education and feature best practices that are well-informed by data. Personal touches, instant feedback, social media, word-of-mouth, targeted recruitment, increased community presence and the combination of high tech/high touch are hallmarks of our innovative approach. The department is focusing its efforts on expanding full-pay markets while targeting financial aid to enroll students with promise who would not otherwise have access to the Summit experience.

AcademicsIn each academic division of the school, we remain tenacious in our pursuit of inspiring learning through our six promises: scholarship at its best, a fertile learning environment, a sturdy confidence, intellectual independence, state of the art facilities, and educators who engage the whole child.

Lower School Early Childhood faculty have immersed themselves in professional development under the leadership of new Head of Early Childhood and Director of Parent Learning Julie Smith. In addition to a regular reading and discussion of current topics in education, members of the faculty traveled to Atlanta to study Harvard’s Project Zero approach and visited sister schools in Greenville, South Carolina (to explore Reggio), Raleigh-Durham (to study differentiated language curriculum) and Indianapolis (to examine gifted education). They have also hosted colleagues from Charlotte Latin School and Westchester Country Day, providing a window into our stellar Early Childhood Program. It is in these early years at Summit that the partnership with families begins.

Lower School Elementary Grades have initiated several new programs that develop 21st Century skills, including a Fifth Grade iPad Project designed and developed in collaboration with Dr. Kristin Bennett from Wake Forest University, 4th Grade Compacted Math Program for gifted students, and immersion-based instruction in our First through Fifth Grade foreign language classes. Technology continues to enhance teaching and learning through endeavors as varied as digital animation in First Grade study of bees, Flip camera use in Second Grade poetry recitations and book talks, and internet use in Third Grade for animal research projects.

Upper School The chair of our visiting SAIS-SACS re-accreditation team described our Upper School curriculum as being as strong as many gifted programs he has seen. Highlights of innovations this past year include development of a choral program, intensive review and refinement of the science curriculum, online courses through NCAIS Virtual to expand our curricular offerings, piloting of online access to grades for parents, further development of research process across all disciplines, drama options in Afternoon Academy and Winter Breakout, the Summit Outdoor Adventures Program, and continued emphasis on writing through the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Leadership in service learning continues to be a hallmark of the Upper School program, and this year has included an Athletes for Others clothing drive, participation in Clean Sweep, donations to the Heifer Project, Ninth Grade early morning jobs around campus (such as carpool, Early Childhood classroom support), and Suitcases for Smiles.

State of the School–TechnologyTechnology is a vital, evolving aspect of the classroom experience at Summit. Integrating technology into the curriculum is a balancing act involving staff and school resources so that students can have the best experience possible. Equally evident is how technology permeates every area of the school from Admissions to Finance to Communications to Development.

As we implement the Strategic Plan, Technology will focus on selecting, purchasing and implementing a data management system long needed by the school to improve access to data and efficiency for faculty, staff and parents. We will take advantage of cloud computing and mobile devices to access data. And third, we anticipate integrating student-owned devices into the educational landscape so that students are prepared to react to the environment they will be part of when they leave Summit.

This year’s accomplishments in the Technology arena are impressive.

• Summit has eight COWs (Computers on Wheels). Included are an iPad COW in the Fifth Grade and a student laptop COW in the Upper Library. Students are able to have 1:1 computer access for investigation and research.

• Math and science classes regularly use the robotics lab to reinforce math and measurement concepts.

• Summit’s Robotics Lab is becoming a Fab (Fabrication) Lab, with five CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines that can perform a variety of functions, including a new Epilog Laser Cutter, CNC Router and Makerbot 3D Printer.

• Work is progressing on an integrated database system for the school, to provide web-based access that will increase communication, efficiency and access to critical data for staff and families.

• Students experience project-based learning at every grade level.

• Bee animation, voice thread projects in the Design Center and more create an environment promoting art, technology, design, thinking and creativity.

• Exciting technology options are included in each session of Summit’s varied Auxiliary offerings.

Development and School SupportThe tradition of philanthropy is alive and well at Summit. Generous donations from parents, alumni, grandparents, alumni parents, faculty and staff, corporations and foundations support the Annual Fund and answer endowment and facilities needs. Despite challenging economic times, the Annual Fund has achieved an annualized six-year increase of 3.3%. Last year every constituent group increased its giving and the Annual Fund raised $511,835. This year’s Annual Fund is on track to exceed this total. Annual Fund gifts vary in size and all gifts are important. Twenty-five percent of parents step forward with gifts at the leadership level of $1,000 or more and 11% join the Bridge the Gap Team, giving at least $2,250, the cost per student beyond tuition. These gifts are essential to help the school meet the educational needs of the entire community.

During the same six-year period, $10.8 million of the $13.5 million goal has been raised to fund the construction of the school’s four new buildings. This is the largest amount raised for a single project in the school’s history.

Summit’s endowment, valued at $16.9 million, provided 7% of the school’s operating budget in the 2011 fiscal year. This income represents $1,370 per child that does not have to be paid by tuition. Summit has the largest per student endowment of our peers in the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools.

Summit’s Planned Giving Program has yielded $903,717 in realized bequests during the past six years. Currently 69 friends of the school have included Summit in their estate plans, signaling continued strength and long-term growth for the school.

AthleticsThe Summit Athletic program, led by our new Athletic Director Ken Shaw, builds character, skill and community—and is an integral part of educating the whole child. This year, we further integrated our Sixth Graders in the athletic program by launching Sixth Grade basketball teams for the first time in school history and by making participation on the swim team an option. Improved communication from the athletic office to families now includes more timely posting of schedules, in-season scores online and on Facebook, and our athletic handbook online. This Fall 115 students played on nine teams; 148 students played on eight teams in the Winter. We look forward to hosting the first annual Summit Invitational Baseball Challenge, the first annual Lacrosse Play Days for boys and girls (both in March), and a Football Mini-Camp for Sixth Graders in May.

Parent PartnershipAt Summit we work to cultivate and strengthen the parent school-partnership in a variety of tangible ways because the partnership is so vital to a child’s success. The Inspiring Learning Series is a community wide conversation hosted

at Summit that focuses on providing support for the parenting journey. This year’s series began with the screening of Race to Nowhere, which explores the pressure on children and families. It drew more than 300 people to our campus.

Parents have also participated in book clubs, parenting classes and workshops that provide information about teaching and learning, all structured to create a dialogue between home and school that benefits children. Mondays with Michael is a monthly conversation with the Head of School. Our Parents’ Association is strong, providing financial and volunteer support and creating opportunities for parents to connect with each other to build community. This Fall they hosted the first Back to School Bash, a huge success that brought the entire school together.

Auxiliary ProgramsParticipation in new and existing programming grew this year under the leadership of Jeff Turner, who is now dedicated exclusively to Auxiliary Programs. New this year, Summit’s Outdoor Adventure and Recreation program (SOAR) hosted four well-attended events for Upper School students including kayaking on the Dan River. Also new this year, Winter Break Out enrolled 50 children in three camps held during the first week of Winter Break. Attendance at sleepovers and chess club is the highest in recent years. Another new offering, private piano and violin lessons, has 18 children enrolled. Summit Summer 2012 promises to be another great source for enrichment and exploration, with enrollment set to open on February 1--earlier than ever--making it easier for parents to plan summer activities. Janice Weiss is bringing great enthusiasm and ideas to her new role as the After School Program Director.

GratitudeIt is impossible to reflect on the state of Summit School without expressing gratitude. The partnership that has been created over time is being deepened each day at Summit. So many members of our community have given generously of their time, talent, energy and resources to this School. The foundation has been laid to position Summit to continue to thrive and to serve future generations. Our Strategic Plan provides a clear path for our work together.

The teachers, administrators and Board of Trustees join me in expressing our deep gratitude, what G.K. Chesterton described as “happiness doubled by wonder,” for all that you do and all that you are as partners—and, most especially, for the opportunity to live and learn with Summit’s children.

Michael

Exceptional Educators: For Summit to continue to grow, teachers, administrators, staff, board and parents alike must continue to demonstrate deep commitment to providing the passionate and innovative learning that develops both students’ and Summit’s full potential. Our plan will:

• Make continuous, well-defined, and strategic professional learning a central part of our culture and practice.

• Formalize leadership opportunities for faculty in the areas of curriculum design, pedagogy and program development.

• Further develop and refine the process for performance review, aligning feedback and assessment with published criteria that are grounded in current research.

• Attract and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administrators.

• Better leverage Summit’s membership in local, regional and national organizations as a source of professional development for teachers, administrators and board leadership.

Inspiring Learning: Inspiring learning at Summit is not limited to students. We cultivate a culture of learning that encompasses our parents, faculty, staff, board, administration and the community. Focusing on the developmental needs of children, current research, science and best practices, the professionals at Summit School will engage in collaborative, vigorous and structured professional learning geared toward excellence and innovation in all aspects of our program. Our plan will:

• Further develop and refine the process for curriculum development and program assessment.• Further develop and implement theoretically sound, research based best practices in assessment of student learning.

• Pursue collaborations and partnerships with mission- aligned organizations, institutions and schools.

• Develop incentives for excellence and innovation.

• Continue to embrace inclusivity and diversity as critical components of the Summit community.

Effective Communication: Safeguarding Summit’s viability for generations to come requires that we continue to share our unique and compelling narrative with all constituencies and to make the Summit experience accessible to a broad and diverse range of families. Our plan will:

• Aggressively engage in thought leadership to enhance the visibility of our expertise and to contribute to greater public good.

• Implement an ongoing, data-driven integrated marketing plan that focuses on effective communication of the distinctive competencies delivered by a Summit education.

• Better communicate our process for reviewing, refining and developing institutional sustainability through financial stewardship.

Summit School Strategic Plan

ExceptionalEducators

InspiringLearning

EffectiveCommunication

Developing Our Full PotentialOur strategic plan, Developing Our Full Potential, outlines strategic priorities to ensure that learning at Summit School continues to evolve and expand to its fullest potential in a dynamic and changing world. The plan is the result of an extensive organizational self-study undertaken in preparation for our SAIS/SACS re-accreditation, parent surveys, board retreats, staff input and close analysis of emerging external trends and demographics.

Our Strategic GoalsThree areas of emphasis frame the plan: Exceptional Educators, Inspiring Learning and Effective Communication. Clearly defining and increasing our capacity in these areas will allow Summit School to develop our full potential by fulfilling and sustaining our mission, realizing our vision, and delivering on our six promises.

Summit School • 2100 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 • 336.724.5811 • www.summitschool.com

Summit School admits students of any race, religion, color, and national or ethnic origin.