News

Paul Pemberton, a senior at Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron, earned his black belt in martial arts today. It’s an achievement 12 years in the making. “It’s like a miracle,” Pemberton says. Pemberton’s martial arts expedition began in 2011, when he was in the first grade. His instructor, Sensei Chuck Rickard, Coordinator of Therapeutic … Continued

Summit Academy Schools Plan Graduation Ceremonies With more than 110 seniors set to graduate in the coming weeks,  the Summit Academy community is uniting to celebrate its Class of 2023 graduates. “Their milestone achievement of earning a high school diploma calls for celebration,” says Summit Academy Management CEO John Guyer. Inspirational speakers, recollections of amusing … Continued

Teaching wasn’t part of Keytsa Bishop’s original plan as an artist. She envisioned herself selling art and working as a graphic artist. Then she had a revelation. “I started to learn how powerful art is by sharing it and seeing how I can make a difference in other people’s lives,” says the Summit Academy Secondary … Continued

Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron Senior Shares His Story Jaden Garvey has a passion for photography. He can often be found outdoors, taking pictures of setting suns, rural landscapes and star-filled nighttime skies. He’s also an astronomy buff, hooked ever since he was a little boy by a Blue’s Clues episode on stargazing. Now … Continued

Katelyn Thompson, LSW, has what she calls an impact word. That word is love. SAM Executive Director of Special Education Erica Richley-Duda describes the word as “perfectly fitting” for the Summit Academy Secondary School – Middletown behavior specialist. Richley-Duda, MSEd, LPCC-S, CCTP, says Thompson’s love for her work is evident in her “whole-student approach and … Continued

Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron students delved into their hearts to pen sentiments of gratitude to local military veterans. By way of handmade Veterans Day cards, those messages are landing in the hands of about 60 military veterans at a special November 11 ceremony in their honor at the Gables of Green assisted living … Continued

Curriculum Administrator Jessica Hahn and her colleagues want to transform Summit Academy into a school district of literacy excellence. The ambitious goal applies to both literacy instruction from staff members and literacy achievement by students. The goal is most certainly within reach, says Hahn, explaining that Summit Academy’s Reading Framework has already laid the groundwork … Continued

Today is National Dog Day! Summit Academy is lucky to have four Service/Therapy Dogs in our buildings!   Mr. Miyagi, a young 16-year-old Shibu Inu, graces the hallways of the administration office in Akron. Mr. Miyagi enjoys naps, treats, and the occasional pat on the head. Barkley is 3 1/2 years old with the personality … Continued

6 tips for easing into the new school year A few years ago, we published a story on back-to-school tips. Families and students found it helpful, so we refreshed our story and are pleased to share it once again … As summer slips by and back-to-school ads bombard in full force, anxiety tends to sneak … Continued

Jessica Hahn and Sara Schmidt have been promoted as Curriculum Administrators for Summit Academy. Schmidt most recently served as an instructional coach for Summit Academy Community School – Dayton and Hahn as a literacy coach for Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Middletown. Jessica Hahn With a focus on reading, Hahn will work … Continued