Summit School of Ahwatukee

4515 East Muirwood Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85048

100 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 22, 2024

A summit is a wonderful learning environment for kids from 18 months all the way to 8th grade. I have a 5th grader and a pre-K and my children couldn’t be happier. The student to instructor ratio allows for individualized learning paths. Many of the teachers have been there for over 20 years and still have passion for their job. The parent community is second to none as well. This was the school we were looking for. I never imagined I would pay for a private education but it has proven to be worth every penny. It’s the best investment in my children.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2024

Years ago, enrollment was at a peak of 380+, the community was thriving, teachers were challenged to work hard, admin was transparent, PTO was kind, the BOD was professional. Then the decline happened. Teachers taught the same curriculum with the same exact projects year after year. Staff training lacked, especially as new teachers cycled in making for bumpy transition into the school mission statement. Then as the founders moved out and new BOD came in the school became more like a country club, ruled by only friends of friends with the main concern of creating a bubble for their own children. Then COVID; and this school was horrible. Treated children poorly, parents poorly, instituted ridiculous rules like making parents wear masks in their own car during drop-off, only being allowed to volunteer if you had vax card. Teachers didn’t want to do much; school pictures couldn’t even be done. Now enrollment is down and its’ all about the marketing. Tuition is raised every year and now this year has shot up to be almost 20K, becoming more expensive than many of the private high schools. Everything this school does now is meant for marketing, there is no sincerity to it. Look at the Neurodiversity Celebration week. None of these teachers have any experience of recent training on IEPs and learning differences, the school admits openly to not accepting students with special plans. Conversely, the school also fails excelling students, if your kids needs more challenging work it is not available. The school just pushes being able to excel a taking the state test to compare itself to the local public schools. And the kids in 8th grade have to take HSPT prep classes to help with entry to Brophy and Seton. School is so fake now, why waste 20k on a school that doesn’t acknowledge parents and just considers you a guardian? Only the Robotics program is run well here, other staff should take note of this program and what he does to make it a blue ribbon program. He networks, he works one on one with the kids to challenge them, and the skills gained from his program help kids excel in engineering programs in High School. But to put up with lackluster admin, teachers, expensive sports & tuition and snotty parents and kids is not worth it. You can find better and help bring a good Robotics program to a genuine school.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2024

Our child has been at Summit for several years, since preschool. This school is truly exceptional and unique. The individualized and project-based learning engages and motivates kids to learn. The teachers are committed to each student's success. Every single teacher we have had over the years has been incredible and the small class sizes have really helped our child thrive. Though the small class sizes make the tuition higher than some other private schools in the area, it is what has really helped our child grow in their skills and receive the support they need. The curriculum and teaching approach are research-based. Enrichment activities are integrated into the student experience with wonderful music, art, etc. What sets the school apart, in addition to its learning approach, is how incredible the community is for both students and families. The community is inclusive, welcoming, and supportive. This school has exceeded our expectations.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2023

This school is pricey especially for what you get. We were considering staying here for 7th and 8th grade and compared other Private Schools and found Summit to be very expensive. For $15+k tuition you would think that would cover graduation fees and the annual trip 8th graders take. But that trip will cost you almost 6k out of pocket. Many of the other Private Schools Cover this fee along with Graduation expenses and some even cover lunch. And this school constantly is fund raising. Teachers need supplies and have a massive ask list. They charge $300 for Sports per kid per season! Facilities are not in great condition and parents paint and make repairs. Look at the child care licensing reports and you will note that there are inspection reports that mention the condition of the buildings. Over the past few years dress code as been lax. Teachers were flip flops and jean short. For 15k and bragging about being a feeder school to Xavier and Brophy you would hope for better examples in dressing for professionalism. The school also is very desperately marketing. So much money has been spent to get this school in the news. The school also stopped taking the Iowa test years ago to measure student learning. Somehow they believe that taking the AZ State test and comparing their numbers to local public schools is impressive. It's not, and it doesn't hold water to what the other comparable Private Schools are testing.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2023

My two boys have attended Summit from preschool and the oldest is now entering 4th. The teachers, class size, academics, music, and robotics are amazing! The community is friendly and passionate about the school!
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2023

Summit has been a great place for our daughter. What I've been impressed with is how positive the teaching environment has been. All schools were impacted by the pandemic and Summit was no different. However, Summit adjusted both during and now post-pandemic to react to the needs of the students. There's a real benefit to small class sizes and attention from the teachers. Our kid has been happy at Summit since coming there in Kindergarten from another school. She's flourished and is excelling. Highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2023

Looking for an exceptional private school that offers a caring and compassionate community dedicated to the success of every student? Look no further than Summit in Ahwatukee (part of Phoenix for those who may be newer to the area)!My family switched to Summit midway through my daughter's 2nd grade year from a local Montessori school, and it was the best choice we ever made for her education. From the moment we arrived on campus, we knew this was the place for us.The teachers and staff at Summit are second to none. They are truly invested in each and every student and family, and they work tirelessly to create a supportive and nurturing environment. And speaking of the campus - it's absolutely gorgeous! From the lush landscaping to the bright and welcoming classrooms, it's a joy to be on campus every day.But it's not just the academics that make Summit so special. The extracurricular activities are robust and diverse, providing plenty of opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop new skills. And let's talk about the diversity of the school - it's truly beautiful. Our family has loved being part of a community that celebrates and embraces different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.Summit is more than just a school - it's a family. And with programs that span from preschool through 8th grade, it's the perfect place for your child to grow and thrive.So if you're looking for a fresh start and an exceptional education for your child, come check out Summit. You won't be disappointed!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2023

We moved to Phx from Los Angeles 2 years ago and I was so worried about what school I would send my kids to as I had a 4 yr old, a 2yr old and was pregnant. After touring many schools in the Valley, I was so relieved when I found Summit. Summit educates the whole child. The schools in LA we were a part of were fantastic about understanding learning styles and giving children an incredibly well-rounded education and this is what I found at Summit. The tenure of the teachers and how highly everyone who worked there spoke of it was just another selling point. I also had the opportunity to be connected with a current Summit parent who answered so many of my questions and let me know why she had decided to move her daughter there after COVID. The Summit preschool is a GEM. The teachers! They are the absolute best. They LOVE those kids and as working parents it is of utmost importance to me that my kids are first and foremost loved and cared for. Then you add in the high quality education, large amount of elective offerings and the community of families who attend, it has truly been such a positive experience. I told myself after preschool that I would send my kids to public school but I just can't do it, I'm all in because I love it THAT much! The preschool is also NAEYC certified which only 1 or 2 other preschools even remotely nearby hold. I came to Summit for the education, but it has given us so much more than in addition to that. The families and community are now an irreplaceable part of our lives and I am insanely grateful.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2023

We have been at this school for 4 years now, and we chose this school specifically for Middle School. While admittedly Covid was rough with the previous Head of School, I cannot be happier with how well the new Head of School has turned things around. The new Head of School has her Ph.D., is communicative, decisive, and collects and uses data to make her decisions. She gets the community and families involved in different ways that everyone can contribute. She has implemented testing to measure where students are on a national level, and also measure progress from semester to semester. The data has consistently shown that on average the students are 2 grade levels ahead and continuing to grow. As high schools are now coming out with their acceptance, they also have 100% acceptance this year into Brophy College Prep and Seton Catholic Prep High Schools. Those high school counselors have also expressed that students from Summit are well prepared for school and lifelong learning through its rigorous curriculum. We couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2023

Our son attended another private school in Ahwatukee last year and although we knew we wanted to move him, the thought of it was extremely stressful. We wanted to ensure this would be the last move for him until high school.After touring Summit on my own, and then separately with our son, we knew we had found the right place. The campus is beautiful with separate classrooms for art, music, science and languages. His teachers are amazing; he has created real bonds with them as well as his classmates. He is excelling in every way and is happy to go to school each day. I often hear this is the best kept secret in Ahwatukee and I couldn’t agree more! My only regret is we didn’t start him here in preschool! I really didn’t know what we were missing out on until he started at Summit.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2023

I have my son in the toddler program at Summit, and we love Ms. Lisa! She provides loving care and instruction and understands the developmental needs of this age group. The assistant teachers are very caring, as well. The materials available for play and work time are changed up frequently to keep the kids stimulated. I enjoy the other students and parents, as well. It’s a friendly community.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2022

Summit School (Legally Foothills Educational Foundation) has been slipping on providing quality educational experience for about 10 years now. It is now at a point in which the almost $17,000 a year tuition (which is increased every single year) does not seem worth it especially compared to higher performing Charter Schools. Many families have left and many left as a result of weak academics in upper elementary and middle school combined with rude staff, and the country club attitude of parents. Board of trustees are handpicked family of friends, not elected by anyone. Founders are not involved in the school anymore. PTO collects almost 100.00 per year per student and spends about half of it, the other half is always funneled back to the school for facility repairs. PTO also acts like a secret club, they will ask for help but if you volunteer and they don't like you, they will pretend you never offered to help. Parents handpick class makeups each year, the kids are never held accountable for their poor and bully like behavior that drives students out of the school. Middle School academics are weak, no strong math or spanish as a previous reviewer stated. Students have to take prep classes outside of school on weekends to help gain admissions to the private high schools. East Coast boarding schools once sought out Summit, that no longer happens and is a very distant memory. A grades are given. Students with learning struggles go un noticed because teachers don't see it. I have seen many students who have left and the same month they enrolled in a new school their learning struggles were identified immediately. The woman who works the front desk behaves like any child or parent who visits the front office is interrupting her and emails with questions to her are met with it just being flung back at you to figure it out yourself. The school often follows what the Kyrene district does, they even state that they will make decisions on Covid protocols and Calendars based on what Kyrene does (learn to lead?). The school also adopted a gender neutral dress code and allows for purple hair and boys in dresses. The school also removed the word parent from their handbook and refers to adults as guardians only. The school also lacks transparency in finances and fund raising failing to provide an annual report while constantly begging for money to "fill the gap".'
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2022

Don't send your child to this school.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2022

When looking at school reviews, I like to see “facts” as opposed to just opinions. For Summit, who I’ve had kids at for over a decade, here are facts.1. The new Head of school (in her second year now) is a PhD who is very academically-based has reimplemented National testing for math and English. This testing is showing Summit kids on average being about two years ahead of their peers. With highly qualified teachers, invested and interested parents and small class sizes, this makes sense. 2. The top (academically regarded) private high schools in the Valley come to Summit to recruit our 7th and 8th graders. This happens in September of each year. Our eighth graders largely end up at these schools, many in their honors programs. Others who choose to go to public high schools predominantly end up in their honors programs. 3. There are more class offerings and extracurricular activities than ever before. From after school enrichment at Summit for the little ones (meaning you don’t have to pick them up and take them to their classes) to elementary and middle school athletic teams, there’s a long list of activities in which your child can be involved. 4. Summit is expensive. With the new empowerment scholarships (no matter how you feel about them) the game is changing in Arizona education. These scholarships, which are available to all Arizonans with school children, cut the price of a Summit education essentially in half. Additionally, financial aid is available. My opinion…. My kids have loved Summit. They have great peer groups and have had outstanding teachers at all levels. While you get a near 100% negative review rate here from the small number of parents who have left the school, the retention rate is high, most families are extremely happy with the school and the education it provides. If you want your kids to have the best educational opportunity in the East Valley, this is where you get it. Schedule a tour and you’ll see the difference.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2022

The school has changed, ALOT. Academics are watered down and only made for appearance purposes. Middle School programming has gone way downhill. Kids no longer taking advanced placement math and being placed into higher math classes when entering high school. Same with Spanish, kids at this school take Spanish from kindergarten through 8th grade but can't test out of the basic level Spanish class when entering high school.ROPES has lost the energy it once had, you soon realize the kids are just repeating the same subjects over and over and the process has not been adopted to go with the times since the program runs exactly the same since the early 2000s. The Board has become much smaller and is filled with parents with no executive experience and the founders of the school are not involved in any way. The school is also taking on controversial SEL and genderism topics. They changed their handbook and mostly removed the word parent. So many families have left, and tuition has increased every year.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2022

Let’s really clear up some misconceptions. If you live in the east valley and you want your child to have the care and education that is really appropriate for him/her then it is essential that you ask yourself why you are not sending your child to Summit. If you want quality education in a nurturing environment where your children are really appreciated, this is undeniably the place. It is widely known that online reviews skew highly positive and negative. The concerns on previous reviews have been bullying and teacher to student ratio, I deeply believe complaints in this arena originate from people who are voicing perception rather than reality. There is no doubt that it is the school in the east valley that offers the most! It would be exceedingly hard to argue otherwise. Our child has been in their preschool for 3 years and we could not be any happier- there is clear investment in the children, ownership and dedication by the teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2022

The Preschool program is wonderful! Between the dedicated teachers, plethora of offerings for education (including Art, Music, STEM and active movement), and supportive programming focused on the needs of the student, this is an excellent school.Our child has hearing loss, and the school has met his accommodations so he can have a great experience while accommodating to the “mainstream” classroom. The teachers are focused on the needs of students and communicate quickly with any issues so parents can help with resolution. The school also has wonderful events for kids and parents to collaboratively learn and experience the wonder of STEM activities. Their culture teaches kids to not just excel in the classroom, but also how to grow as a kind, compassionate human in today’s world. The administration provides frequent communication and is accessible for any questions or needs. Lastly, their “extended day” (before school and after school care) is a great experience! Our child always looks forward to going to school to see his teachers and friends, and we are pleased with the programs. The campus is secure, but has a “neighboorhood” feel when you are on grounds…they even have desert tortoises!We have been to a few other preschool (including day care) programs in the Valley, and we feel that this is the most comprehensive school with a true focus for the developing student.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2022

We are so happy with Summit. This was a great choice and a great switch for our family.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2022

Summit’s new leadership has been an absolute godsend and has quickly brought the school back to it’s peak. Highly qualified teachers who bring out the best in students and national testing that shows Summit students are years above their grade level. I can’t say enough good things about this school and it’s staff.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2021

I think it is the worst preschool I have ever seen. Teachers and principal did not do anything for aggressive behavior of couple of kids that hitting and hurting other kids. I do not recommend it to anybody !