Summit Hill Junior High School

7260 West North Avenue

School District

Summit Hill 161
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Summit Hill School District 161

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by student on September 17, 2023

I was a student during the 2022-2023 school year. Summit hill gives a good education I guess but is just like Lincoln way east. If you’re not a sporty student on one of the school sports teams then you’re looked over as a literal human being. The staff tend to favor athletes and give them better recognition than just regular students. I felt like they didn’t give enough recognition to other racial groups for important months/days out of the year either. Not only that but they doubled how strict they are with work and assignments and now they put students in a room called study hall if you didnt turn in an assignment. They put you in there without the students or the parent’s permisssion where you eat and do work at the same time, and sometimes wouldnt let you talk quite at all. Quite frustrating to try to eat and enjoy your food and do work at the same time. If they see you eating for too long they tell you to get back on task when a childs lunch should be the time to eat, socialize, and take a mental break. They didnt care about how you or your parent felt about that. The teachers weren’t supportive to the students about their mental health, it doesn't matter if your freaking dog died...they will get in a group and gossip about you and the one assignment you didn’t do in the hallway inappropriately. Lastly summit hill gives students ONLY 3 MINUTES TO GET TO CLASS. That is way to short for students that cant even carry a bookbag unless they are injured. It was terrible trying to get to class with a filled hallway to try to find your locker, open it, rush and think about everything you need for the next class then try to rush to your classes no matter how far they were and the teachers didnt give a care they just marked you tardy.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2022

Summit Hill School District has gone the route of many districts who are lowering expectations. For the past few years, they've had a policy where no student earns less than 50%, work can be turned in late, and redos are encouraged. It's hard to motivate a kid to achieve when they regularly turn in some easier work or retake tests they had already seen. The harder assignments can be incomplete, and the student can earn a B or C in the class. In the meantime, the student isn't learning life skills. Punctuality, studying, and getting work done right the first time should be encouraged. The teachers seem to feel the same way, but the administration has low expectations for the students. I moved into the district because of the district's achievement, but I'm happy that my last kid graduated. I wouldn't want to try to motivate another B-C student who doesn't read, do essays, or complete difficult projects. I just don't feel like my kid is as prepared for high school work as my other kids who graduated Summit Hill before this nonsense. Hopefully, the new superintendent will encourage high expectations again.
Submitted by other on September 22, 2016

Summit Hill School District #161 is a fantastic district. The amount of opportunities they offer from Kindergarten all the way through 8th grade are fantastic. The curriculum is well rounded at all grade levels. Each school has arts programs (including music), physical education, and extra-curriculars along with all the core subjects (math, science, English, history, and etc.) The district prepares its students extremely well for their major transitions, especially the one from 8th grade to High School. The teachers (at least the ones I have come in contact with) truly care about the kids they are teaching, and what they are teaching them. For instance, the music teacher at the Junior High School is probably one of the most dedicated and caring women I have ever met. You can tell she puts her heart and soul into teaching and enriching the lives of the children she comes in contact with. I have always been extremely impressed with the faculty, staff, and leadership in this district. I would HIGHLY recommend moving to this district so your kids can benefit from the education they can receive here.