Middle SCHOOl Electives.
There's more to discover.
Middle school is a time to explore new interests, discover unexpected strengths, and begin learning what makes you, you.
At Summit, middle school electives are built into the academic day, giving students meaningful opportunities to create, build, perform, communicate, compete, experiment, and try something new.
Built into the middle school experience.
Choice is part of the school day.
At Summit, enrichment isn’t treated as something separate from a rigorous education. Students have two enrichment periods incorporated into the Middle School academic schedule, giving them meaningful opportunities to explore interests beyond their core subjects.
Those choices give students greater voice and ownership in their education at exactly the age when independence begins to matter more.
A student might discover robotics one term, ceramics another, journalism next, or culinary arts after that. Some experiences become genuine passions. Some reveal unexpected strengths. Others simply help a student discover what isn’t for them.
All of those discoveries matter.
Academic enrichment.
More than 30 opportunities to explore.
Summit’s middle school elective program gives students opportunities to explore across six broad areas. Individual offerings evolve with student interests, faculty expertise, technology, and new opportunities, keeping the program dynamic and relevant.
STEM & technology
Robotics · Coding · Game Design · 3D Modeling · Engineering + More
Visual & digital arts
Drawing · Painting · Ceramics · Photography · Graphic Design · Digital Arts + More
Music & performance
Theatre · Dance · Rock Band · Songwriting · Music Composition + More
Communication & language
Journalism · Creative Writing · Video Production · World Languages · Battle of the Books + More
Wellness & athletics
Athletic Development · Sports · Recreation · Life Sports + More
Leadership & life skills
Culinary · Leadership · Teacher Internship + More
Examples reflect the breadth of Summit’s Middle School enrichment program. Specific elective offerings may vary.
Learning by doing.
Build it. Program it. Test it. Try again.
Electives give students a natural place to put ideas into action. They design, build, perform, write, experiment, collaborate, solve problems, revise, and create.
The subject may change. The deeper learning doesn’t.
Hands-on learning.
Explore. Create. Discover.
Room to explore.
Middle school is a good time not to know yet.
They can discover what they enjoy, find strengths they didn’t know they had, take creative risks, learn to work with different people, and build confidence in unfamiliar situations. Along the way, they begin taking greater ownership of their interests and choices.
Exploration isn’t a detour from preparing for the future.
It’s part of figuring out what that future might hold.
Middle school electives FAQ.
Common questions about electives.
How do middle school electives work at Summit?
Electives are built into the regular Middle School academic schedule. Students have two enrichment/elective periods, giving them opportunities to explore interests beyond their core academic subjects during the school day.
Are electives part of the school day or after-school activities?
Middle school electives are part of the regular academic day. They are distinct from Summit’s after-school activities and competitive athletics programs.
Do students choose their electives?
Student choice is an important part of the Middle School enrichment program. Electives give students opportunities to pursue existing interests, try unfamiliar subjects, and take greater ownership of their educational experience.
What kinds of electives are available?
Summit offers a broad range of academic enrichment opportunities across STEM and technology, visual and digital arts, music and performance, communication and language, wellness and athletics, and leadership and life skills. Examples may include robotics, coding, ceramics, photography, rock band, theatre, journalism, culinary arts, athletic development, world languages, and more.
How many middle school electives does Summit offer?
Summit’s Middle School program has been designed to provide more than 30 academic enrichment opportunities. Individual offerings may change as the program evolves based on student interests, faculty expertise, technology, and new opportunities.
Does my child need experience to take an elective?
Most electives are open to beginners, giving students the opportunity to try something new simply because they’re interested. Some advanced electives may have prerequisites based on previous coursework or experience, such as Japanese 2 or Robotics 2.
Does every elective run every year?
Not necessarily. Summit intentionally allows its elective program to evolve. Specific offerings may vary based on student interests, faculty expertise, available technology, and new opportunities while maintaining a broad range of experiences for students.
See what middle school can be.
Choosing a middle school means finding the right combination of academic challenge, opportunity, support, independence, and belonging.
Come experience Summit for yourself. Visit our Ahwatukee campus, meet our educators, explore our classrooms, and discover a middle school designed to prepare students for what comes next.
Questions about tuition? Explore tuition & affordability.