Summit School (The)

187-30 Grand Central Pky

Jamaica, NY 11432

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

n/a
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on September 24, 2023

I was a student at this school, and I was the lowest point of my life here. The social environment was the worst part-most of the student body was very conservative and anti-PC. The “there are only two genders” mindset was VERY common, students made fun of xenogenders/otherkin and used the r-slur + autistic as an insult/derogatory term, and this was a lot harsher in hindsight since in recent years I realized I was nonbinary and diagnosed with ASD. The other students were also unnecessarily judgemental and patronizing regarding other people’s interests: if you say you’re a fan of literally anything (especially anime in my case), you’re going to get judged or condescended to. The student body as a whole was also not very diverse, mostly consisting of cisgender heterosexual white conservative males. So yeah, not a safe space from discrimination in my opinion.The school wasn’t exactly a safe space in general because when I was a student, there was an incident where another student was on the receving end of allegations regarding sexual assault/misconduct, and he was only suspended for ONE day.In terms of what the students learn, I was forced to take an OPTIONAL Spanish regents class without any input whatsoever until I managed to get out of it, and it only added to my already-heavy senior year workload + stress. There was also a segment where everyone had to use this program called Achieve to read articles and write essays about them, and it was so useless and unfulfilling and absolutely none of my peers (myself included) enjoyed it in the slightest.As mentioned in the first sentence, I was at my lowest point here: I was miserable, depressed, constantly feeling like people were judging/making fun of me for my interests, stressed, and invalidated by the conservative student body. If your child is queer or neurodivergent (especially if they have autism), DO NOT LET THEM ATTEND THIS SCHOOL. Only let your child attend Summit if they’re a white, cisgender, heterosexual, conservative male who thinks it’s okay to patronize people for their interests, casually use ableist slurs like the r-slur, and laugh at offensive “memes” making fun of sensitive topics like assault, pedophilia, discrimination, and genocide.TL;DR I do not recommend this school AT ALL.
Submitted by student on September 19, 2023

I was a student at summit for 1 year and half from that experience then haven’t helped me at all and always never believed in me. The test are easy but they don’t prepare you for the regent. They treat you like a Kindergartener because teacher have to pick you up for appointments and the point card system. I suggest to stay in public school or go to a different school then teacher there are miserable and hate there jobs last year over 7 teachers quit. They act like they’re helpful but they’re not there helpful and they make you feel stupid. Thanks for the help not.
Submitted by student on February 09, 2022

I am a student in middle school at this school. This school does very well with kids with social-emotional challenges, cognitive disorders, and learning disabilities. However, this school does not challenge students when it comes to academics. If a student is very strong in a certain subject but their peers are not, they might not get what they need or be challenged. I have this exact issue. I find ELA and math to be way too easy, and math runs way too slow for me. If your child does very well in academics, they might not be challenged in this school.
Submitted by other on December 01, 2021

Two Stars because it did have a better vibe then public schools, it's just that Summit was too easy and didn't prepare myself and other students for the real world. I'm giving a two star review and generally disagree with how my IEP was handled at Summit. I do agree with the reviewer who is a teacher that many of us did not have a sense of earning our educational privilege at Summit. However nobody is asking you to raise us, when you notice something like what is mentioned in the other review, it's best to say it in the classroom or take the student aside, a few times if you have to! If you notice parents aren't doing their job, being lackluster or removed from their child's development, step in or report it, be active. What I'm getting at is the teachers have this whole 'well if the parents aren't raising their kids right I can't do anything' type of attitude. There are news stories every day about public school teachers who contribute a lot more to their students success and care about the student, then in the ways you see at Summit. Not only are these sentiments unheard of for most people, they are a recepie for disaster in the student's adult life as it is easy to become used to lying back and having success with little effort.
Submitted by other on June 22, 2021

I love and appreciate schools, teachers and school staff that give their all on behalf of our beautiful children of the future. Happy to see new names of staff members at the Summit, upper school. Out with the old and in with the new and improved - I hope. I pulled my son out of the Summit upper school after the 1st year. Why? The school failed to address my son's "individual" need. The class Assistants were not qualified and professional. Too much time spent asking parents for money verses addressing their educational needs. Pulling my son out of the Summit Upper school was the best decision I ever made! He is thriving and is an asset to society. The she lacked "full" diversity in staff and students. As advocates for youths with special needs, my son and I both encourage parents to fully investigate s school before registering their child to attend what might be a nightmare that stays with them for a long time. That means, taking all reviews into serious consideration. If there were zero stars for the Summit upper school as it was when my son attended, I would click it. The school needs to make positive changes! Students with disabilities and/or special needs deserve better. Until that time. I do not recommend.
Submitted by student on September 17, 2019

I was a student there and I see now that it was NOT a good fit for me.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2016

There are almost no schools geared for bright students who also have a disability.My daughter was originally accepted into Columbia Secondary School-a challenging program,however she was regularly a victim of bullying and exclusion due to poor social skills,she also needed some detailed directions and help with executive functioning skills.Summit provides these and more in a non threatening environment.We highly recommend Summit and for the first time -my daughter is happy.
Submitted by other on August 25, 2014

The teacher that wrote the comment that Summit students are better off in mainstream classes because of their cognitive levels clearly does not understand the requirements of providing a Free And Appropriate Public Education. This teacher speaks in ignorance!! It is very sad that an educator who should know that the needs of the whole child have to be considered in making educational placement decisions seems to believe that because children have average or above intelligence, that fact alone warrants placement in an inappropriate class where the child is unable to function or produce academically. Accommodating disabilities to foster learning IS APPROPRIATE!!! Throwing children with dissimilar disabilities in a 12:1:1 or 15:1 class is irresponsibIe and serves no legitimate purpose other than to save the DOE money in mis-educating disabled students. Worse, offering General Education with SETTS to children with dyslexia, CAPD and speech challenges is morally reprehensible!! Yet, the DOE does this to parents who don't know any better every single day. I have seen it with my own eyes. I'M GLAD THIS TEACHER NEVER TAUGHT MY CHILD!!!!!
Submitted by other on January 12, 2014

I've never seen so much arrogance in one setting. I'm ashamed of being an alumnus of such a dismal place.
Submitted by student on November 08, 2012

Authority, respect & structure go hand in hand with success! Something I learned from my parent who has always been actively involved in my education. That is why I respect authority & understand why schools like the Summit school require structure. Because it is a school for students with a wide-range of special needs, disabilities, OHI, ED, etc., obviously adjustments have to be made to fit each individual students needs. In the case of a student with a neurological disorder who has involuntary symptoms, a "system" like the one the Summit school has, based on rules with punishment or reward is ineffective just as it would be for students with seizure disorders. Two of my former teachers at Summit Upper school humbly adjusted. Hopefully their attitude rubs off on school leadership. I am very happy to say that I have found learning success elsewhere! So have others I know who used to attend Summit. Its interesting to read the review from a parent whose son has been attending Summit for 50 days, "My son does very well with structure & clear rules so this system really works FOR HIM." A Star for Summit & "MI" for More Improvement (Message approved by Parent)
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2012

My son has started The Summit Upper school this year. He is extremely happy in school. The teachers know how to lift the children's self esteem and teach the kids in the way that they learn best. There is a lot of positive reinforcement all around. My son does very well with structure and clear rules so this system really works for him. I speak to the staff often and they always address our needs and concerns. I have 3 other children in different private schools and they do not get the attention and guidance that my son gets in The Summit School. I think he is a little under-challenged, but for now its ok for him. He's getting a lot of skills in dealing with his anxieties. Once he is a little stronger, I will push for him to be in higher level classes. I think its important for the parents to be very involved in the school and speak with the teachers often to make sure the child is getting the most from the school.
Submitted by other on August 14, 2012

I am a NYC School Parent Member. Summit has challenging academic programs that pave the way for students future goals. The teacher who rated the Summit Upper school on March 23, 2009 naturally highlighted the school in that area. Note the remarks about the Summit Upper school from Parents, a Teacher and a Parent Advocate from 2009-2012. "VERY RESTRICTIVE, TOO RESTRICTIVE, TAKES ADVANTAGE OF STUDENTS, RESTRICTIVE SETTING, OVERLY RESTRICTIVE." When determining what school best fits your child with special needs, dont agnore what counts most...your childs emotional needs. After all, It's not always about where the student will go after H.S., it's also about the students self-esteem, dignity & pride during H.S. that shapes who they will be after H.S., after college and into the future. Think About It: You would not send your car to a repair shop that is known for doing great repairs to the outside of a car while damaging the seating on the inside of the car.