Summit Academy - Draper Campus

1285 East 13200 South

School District

Summit Academy
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 11, 2024

Looking at the good rating, my daughter was initially enrolled in Draper Elementary. However, it wasn’t as diverse as we hoped it would be. With having challenges related to that issue, we changed schools. We changed schools to Summit Academy, and we have loved it here. Since they have a better teacher to student ratio, the students get better support. It’s big, but small of enough school that the staffs gets to familiarize with all the children—I heard the teachers love working there from my sister who was also a teacher at a school nearby—which is also a great sign!All in all, we have loved this school!
Submitted by other on April 24, 2018

Overall experience is good - but due to the character of the principal I will be taking my children to another school.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2015

Summit Academy is an incredible school! I have two children that excel and ones who struggles academically. My experience has been fabulous whether they are a talented or struggling student. My youngest son has a 504 and the counselor there at the school is incredible! Another huge benefit to this school is very proactive in their stance against bullying. There is a kindness among the students that is delightful. I know every parent's experience is different but I have had a lot of students in a lot of grades with a lot of teachers. It reminds of the reviews I often read for a travel destination. They say all the most unimpressive thing they see about the condo etc... then when I get there it is one of the most delightful and beautiful places I've ever been. It makes me sad because I see so many reviews that if I did not have first hand knowledge of this school I would second guess sending my child to this school. Take it from a mom who knows. This school has changed our families life for the positive!
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2014

Summit Academy is structured differently than the public schools my students have attended the past three years. Summit Academy offers students ability level grouping so my son and two daughters are able to take classes on their level. My kids have been bored and frustrated in the public school system. They enjoy being taught on their level instead of waiting for the entire class to catch up. Also, students that are struggling and need a slower pace have classes designed for them. I couldn't be happier at Summit Academy and I feel like we finally found the school that fits our family's needs.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2013

I really like Summit Academy for my daughter and feel it is a privilege for her to go here. I was not aware of any of the other issues posted by the others. I felt like the teachers kept me informed and were very concerned about my daughter's progress.
Submitted by teacher on June 13, 2013

This school misrepresents their standardized testing scores. They act as though their teaching methods and theories are superior, when in fact they are a publicly funded school and HAVE to follow the same state CORE as any other publicly funded school. The difference is, in districts, there are resources for special needs students who still are required to take the same standardized testing, bringing the average down, and with no control for this, Summit's scores look high. The executive administrator is demeaning and mean to the students and staff. Looking on the Utah transparency website you can see that he walked away with a $20,000 bonus at the end of last year while the teachers average lower wages and do not receive annual raises. This $20,000 is tax payers' money! Summit is NOT any better than the average school, it's a sad place to work and I will be moving on as soon as I can. My children no longer attend Summit due to the lack of concern and sympathy of administration.
Submitted by teacher on June 03, 2013

This is hard for me but I feel that parents need to be informed. This school is unprofessional on many levels. I would never send my child to this school. I feel that this school is lucky that it has a lot of great teachers who love teaching and work hard but they also have a high turnover as teachers are treated poorly by the administration and not always privately, but in public. The students are afraid of the principal and are also treated poorly by her. Everything is handled passive-aggressively. Not only that, the school is very disorganized. This is far from college prep, I feel it is actually hindering a student's success in college. Students with parents on the board are given special treatment. They set the students and teachers up for failure. If you are considering this school, I would seriously reconsider. It isn't all bad but the bad outweighs the good.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2013

I have spend many hours helping out at Summit Academy. Initially I was pleased with how Summit is run and with the education my children received. However, as I became more familiar with the under-currents of Summit, I quickly found that it's not all that it claims to be. Unfortunately, much of the staff is at arms with one another (whether across grades or within the same grade) and there seems to be a constant flow of arguing amongst teachers that ends up detracting from students' education. Furthermore, I've witnessed several occurrences of teachers belittling students and/or making humiliating remarks about students' work in front of entire classrooms. These situations were amongst my last before privately confronting these issues and ultimately leaving the school. Under no circumstances should a child's "poor" school work be used as a way to teach other students how not to do an assignment. I was most especially frustrated at the lack of action the principal takes to address parental concerns. He is more concerned with appearances than the well being of the students. Poor leadership & unprofessional! Being a charter school does make this school above the average!!
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2013

Five Star Scool! My children have attended neighborhood public schools, a private school, and Summit. I can say from experiencing it all -- Summit is the BEST! The teachers, curriculum, administration, and staff are all the best! Top notch!
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2012

My children have attended Summit Academy since it's opening. My youngest has been at this school since preschool, and my oldest is about to progress to the high school. I feel that the previous comments about this school only working for the 'top of the class' students is inaccurate. Both of my kids have had their struggles from time to time, and I have found their teachers to be more than supportive with them, going out of their way to help my children succeed. My oldest attended another elementary before Summit, and I can tell you she did not receive the same level of attention there. She struggled in math at her old school, and at Summit for the first year or two. Now she is scoring well above average on standardized tests, is on the honor roll, loves school and even says herself that Summit has taught her a great work ethic. Yes, this school is rigorous, but nothing worth having ever came easily. The level of work and responsibility expected of the students is reasonable and instrumental for building character and actually learning the material. Rest assured that if your children attend this school, they will be far more prepared for college than their peers.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2012

I am giving Summit an average star rating only because it seems to work for some people. However, Summit has very high academic standards that do not work for my family. This school caters to children that are in the top levels of Language Arts and Math. They use ability groups and seem to only tolerate the lower level groups because they have to. One of my children stayed in the middle range and did so-so. My other child has struggled throughout all of her elementary years. The teachers at Summit do not know how to encourage or help students without making them feel bad. Some teachers are known to make children cry during class. My child has developed severe anxiety about school, because she can never make her teachers happy. Also, the amount of homework mentioned in a previous review is inaccurate. They have 20-30 mins of reading, 15 mins of math facts, math problems, and language arts work every night in every grade. Plus a monthly poem to memorize, monthly book reports and quarterly projects. If your child is at the top of their class Summit may be right for you. I know many children in the upper level classes that do well and love Summit but, I am pulling my kids.
Submitted by other on December 17, 2011

I went to a private school for nine years, and it was very challenging. The first private school I went to was good, but it was too expensive. The next private school focused more on education than interests. At Summit Academy it focuses both on academics and interests. I am challenged at this school (it is not too easy or too hard). The teachers always want us to get the best grades, and they are always there to help us. It is not difficult to fit in, because there are many students who have similar interests! The school is also college preparatory, and it also helps students reach their goals!
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2011

My student has attended Summit Academy Jr. High for the past 3 years and I couldn't be more pleased with the school. My student finds the classes engaging and I appreciate their balance between academic rigor and concern for the needs of my students. I find the principal cares about the students and is fair minded. Whenever I have issues, she is prompt and helpful and is highly accessible. The principal and staff are at all the extra curricular functions. I would highly recommend Summit Academy Jr. High.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2011

Our son started at Summit Academy for 6th grade this year; the school is near-perfect for our needs. He was at a nearby ("Challenging") school (private-Sandy) for K-5, where they pushed much harder academically, so he is actually cruising (by comparison) at Summit. Plus the school is clean, friendly, well-run, and has very good extracurricular activities (dance, sports, theater/plays, etc.) to help balance the child's life. (by comparison, the private school was ALL academics - no balance). We like Summit Academy; recommended if your child is in top 25% of their class, and desires strong academics AND creative/athletic (art/music/theater/sports). One minor caveat: lack of religious diversity is (currently) a minor issue, but the overwhelming majority is a potential threat to open, creative, innovative thinking.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2011

I LOVE this school!!! The teachers, administration, and parental involvement are stellar. We looked at several charter schools on the south end of the valley and this school was the most appropriate for our family. While I liked certain programs at others schools, this school was the most comprehensive and well-rounded. We LOVE the break ot groups and multiple teachers in each classroom. I regularly help out in the classroom and the teachers are so positive and encourage each child to perform to the best of their ability. This is an incredible school and my daughter has thrived. While there is a fair amount of homework, it is not overwhelming. My daughter actually enjoys doing the homework and I am thrilled with her progress. I appreciate the fact that they value parental feedback and my child is getting a quality education.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2011

I have 5 children who have/ are currently attending Summit. The Elementary School is excellent: 5 stars. Excellent principal has produced a warm, healthy environment where students and teachers seem to be thriving. Small breakout class groups for academic topics. Teachers are wonderful. High academic standards. Consistent homework starting in Kindergarten, but always age appropriate, not overwhelming (10 min/night in K, 15 min/nigh for 1st grade, etc. with a few longer assignments, like once a month book reports). Unfortunately, the Junior High (wish I could give it 3 stars) isn't yet up to the academic standards of the elementary, and the school climate is sour in some respects. No drugs, no swearing--it's a lovely student body, but it's not a place for boys. The administration is hostile esp. to boys, sometimes parents. We've run into problems with hostile teachers also. After coming from the elementary and from a boundary jr hi where we had no problems, this was a shock and very disappointing. We keep hoping the Jr Hi will improve, but it looks unlikely without a revamp of admin.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2011

My daugther has been enrolled at Summit Academy since the first grade and she is having a great educational experience. The small class sizes and individual attention that they allow the teachers and students to have is wonderful. Her little sister who will be 5 in two weeks can't wait to go to Summit next year for Kindergarten. Be prepared, the curriculum is rigorous and they push the children to excel but they are also able to take a step back and understand each childs learning method. I am thrilled to have my child/children attending Summit!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2010

My children have been at Summit since the beginning. It is a great school, with wonderful admin & teachers. It IS a rigorous academic school, but that's no secret. Many parents aren't up to the task of keeping up with their students & the work that is required of them. Being a student at Summit requires a LOT of parental involvement, and some parents aren't able to devote the time that's needed to attend. My 3 children never complain about the amt of homework, they do it, and appreciate the quality education they are getting. I do agree with the one parent review who says the lack of religious diversity is a downfall. Even some of the teachers bring religion into their classrooms. It shouldn't be allowed, but this is Utah after all, and it's a small annoyance to put up with for a good education for my children.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2010

Summit was a great experience for my son. The teachers were great at teaching and very understanding. The staff at Summit academy did everything possible to make my son and the other students have a positive experience. The students and staff were very good to all of the students. I highly recommend Summit Academy to all parents and students.
Submitted by other on August 29, 2010

As a former jr. high/highschool student, I find some of the teachers a bit unable to teach in ways that reach out to ALL students in the class room. Not being in the school for too long but noticing that some of the teachers teach in ways that, well, MAY happen to be understandable to a mojority of the class. I will admit, many teachers are quite great. Others will not go over what may have been forgotten but expect to have everything already known by the students as if they actually studied over the summer-- highly unlikely. Also, I'd like to point out that the teachers give quite a bit of homework, it actually cuts into time being spent with family or being able to do family activities (Birthdays, parties, etc.).