The Summit Difference
Summit is an independent, non-profit school.
As an independent school, Summit isn’t governed by large districts, centralized boards, or corporate organizations. Instead, our leadership is local, mission-driven, and deeply connected to the school community. That freedom fuels innovation, agility, and opportunity. It means we can adapt programs, schedules, and approaches quickly—embracing new ideas and staying at the forefront of education in ways traditional systems simply can’t.
Small Class Sizes
The average class size is around 16 students, with a student-faculty ratio of approximately 9:1.
Safe & secure
Secure campus allows students to thrive in a protected, nurturing environment.
Whole-Child
Emphassis on the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being of every student.
Development of Leaders
- Inspire students to become confident, ethical leaders who positively impact their communities.
- Provide leadership opportunities through Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, and service projects.
- Empower students to take initiative, collaborate effectively, and advocate for positive change.
Making Connections and developing Relationships
- Encourage strong connections between students, educators, and families to create a supportive learning community.
- Foster meaningful relationships that promote empathy, understanding, and collaboration.
- Support social-emotional learning (SEL) to help students develop interpersonal skills and emotional resilience.
Expert Educators
- Employ passionate, highly qualified educators who are committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
- Provide teachers with the autonomy to innovate and create personalized learning experiences for students.
- Support ongoing professional development to ensure best practices in education.
Classrooms that Support Innovation
- Create dynamic, student-centered learning environments that encourage exploration, creativity, and discovery.
- Integrate technology, hands-on learning, and real-world applications to deepen understanding and engagement.
- Promote collaborative and project-based learning to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Global Thinkers
- Cultivate global awareness and cultural understanding to prepare students for a diverse and interconnected world.
- Encourage students to think beyond their local community and explore global issues and solutions.
- Foster an appreciation for different perspectives and promote empathy and respect for all cultures.
Whole Child Educational Opportunities
- Offer a well-rounded education that includes music, arts, foreign language, robotics, physical education, technology, STEM, and project-based learning.
- Encourage creativity and self-expression through arts and music programs.
- Provide opportunities for students to explore their interests.
STEAM-Powered Learning
At Summit, students engage in a STEAM-based curriculum that brings Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math to life through hands-on, integrated learning. Our approach emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application, helping students think critically, collaborate effectively, and explore complex ideas with confidence. STEAM at Summit isn’t a separate subject—it’s woven throughout the learning experience to prepare students for the future.FAQ
IS SUMMIT REALLY THE #1 PRIVATE SCHOOL IN PHOENIX?
Yes—Summit has been consistently recognized as one of the top private schools in the region.
We were voted Best Private School in Phoenix in Phoenix Magazine’s Best of the Valley for both 2024 and 2025, and we’ve earned top honors for years in the Ahwatukee Foothills News Best of Ahwatukee, including #1 Private School in past years and Best Preschool in 2025.
While rankings may vary year to year, Summit regularly places at or near the top—reflecting the strength of our programs, community, and commitment to excellence.
In addition to community-voted awards, Summit holds NAEYC accreditation, Cognia accreditation and is highly rated by Quality First, further affirming the strength of our early childhood education.
WHAT ACCREDITATIONS DOES SUMMIT HAVE?
Summit is proud to be NAEYC-accredited, the nation’s highest standard for excellence in early childhood education, recognizing exceptional quality in teaching, curriculum, and family engagement.
We also participate in Quality First, Arizona’s quality rating system for early learning programs, and have consistently maintained a top-tier rating that reflects our commitment to exceeding state quality standards in areas such as classroom environments, teacher qualifications, and child development practices.
Our elementary and middle school programs (K–8) are nationally accredited by Cognia, affirming the strength of our academic program, leadership, and commitment to continuous improvement.
How Does SummiT kEEP Students safe?
Student safety is one of Summit’s highest priorities. We’ve worked closely with law enforcement and professional security experts to conduct thorough security assessments and continuously improve our campus safety measures.
Summit continually invests in modern security enhancements designed to protect our students and staff. This includes improvements to campus lighting, surveillance coverage, entry systems, physical barriers, and overall access control. We also uphold strict visitor protocols, conduct routine safety drills, and ensure all staff are well-trained in emergency procedures.
Equally important, we foster a culture of emotional safety and support, with clearly defined behavior expectations, strong community connections, and a full-time counselor on staff to help students feel safe, seen, and supported.
how many students are in each class?
At Summit, we focus on maintaining class sizes that are intentionally designed to support learning and community. Research shows that there’s an ideal range — not just the smallest number possible — where students benefit most from strong peer relationships, small-group collaboration, and individualized instruction.
Our classes typically average around 16 students, with an ideal range between 14 and 18, depending on the grade level. This range allows teachers to meet the needs of different learning styles while fostering a connected and balanced classroom environment.
On occasion, a class may expand to up to 20 students in unique situations — such as accommodating a faculty child or multiple siblings — but only when our teachers and leadership team agree it’s the right fit based on the group’s dynamics and learning needs.
Summit’s class sizes remain significantly smaller than most schools, allowing for deeper relationships, more personalized support, and a strong sense of belonging.
What Does Student-faculty Ratio mEAN?
Student-faculty ratio refers to the number of students compared to the number of faculty members — typically teachers and instructional staff. While it can give a general sense of how supported students are, it’s important to know that this number is not the same as class size. Summit’s student-faculty ratio is typically around 9:1.
Some schools advertise low ratios by including non-instructional staff like maintenance crews or office personnel. At Summit, our faculty is made up primarily of classroom teachers and specials teachers, with a lean administrative team and little to no non-educational staff counted. Our ratio reflects actual educators who interact with students daily, offering a more accurate picture of the support your child receives.
Summit School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender identity, religion, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, disability or protected genetic information when considering admission, employment or educational policies.