News

The Summit Academy Management Board of Directors issued a proclamation recognizing Sensei Charles Rickard’s promotion to the position of Shihan, a martial arts “teacher of teachers.” Summit Academy CEO John Guyer and Summit Academy Board Chair Tony Malorni presented the proclamation to Rickard at the board’s Sept. 19, 2023 meeting. Shihan Rickard oversees Summit Academy’s … Continued

When students at Summit Academy School for Alternative Learners – Middletown arrived back to classes last week and inspected their school gardens, little did they expect to find a giant pumpkin named Judy. Weighing in at nearly 120 pounds and counting, Judy, along with watermelons, flowers and other assorted crops crown the school’s eight gardens. … Continued

Albert “AJ” Charpentier  and Diane Longstreth, Ph.D., were elected to the Summit Academy Management Board of Directors at the organization’s June 3 annual meeting. Both new members bring extensive K-12 education leadership experience, including previous involvement as Summit Academy school board members. Charpentier joins the SAM Board after serving as both a Summit Academy school … Continued

Former Canton Police officer Evan McIntosh has been appointed as the Director, Health, Safety and Security for Summit Academy Schools. Evan brings nearly two decades of experience to Summit Academy, including the past nine years as a police officer for the Canton Police Department. During his tenure with the department, Evan held assignments in the … Continued

Martial arts has a lot to teach about well-being, especially a hybrid style like Summit Academy Schools’ Therapeutic Martial Arts. With a focus on serving K-12 students with Autism and ADHD, Summit Academy Schools incorporate therapeutic martial arts into their curriculum. In the dojo, where students learn martial arts movements and traditions, they also find … 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

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

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