Student population:
Our students have usually have a primary diagnosis of High Functioning Autism or a related disability, such as Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, Social Communication Disorder, or NVLD.
They often have secondary diagnoses, including (but not limited to) ADHD, Anxiety, mild-moderate Mood Disorder/depression, Tourette's/tics, mild OCD.
They may or may not have mild to moderate interfering behavior, including social challenges, non-compliance, shut-downs, rigidity, and self-regulation challenges.
Our students do NOT typically present with a primary emotional/behavioral disorder, severely disruptive or aggressive behavior, risk of harm to self/others, or psychosis. Summit students do not typically have a primary intellectual disability, or require 1:1 instruction for academics.
Summit students typically have low-average to above-average cognitive functioning, and learn best in a naturalistic, small group setting.
School type:
- Chapter 766 School - Day
Admission procedures:
Admissions are initiated from school districts, parents and educational consultants. A referral packet and/or the students’ records are provided to begin the process of admissions. Ages 6 through 22 are considered, with year round open enrollment available. After records are reviewed, an intake interview with parents/guardians is scheduled along with the scheduling of the prospective student to spend a two hour visit and sometimes a subsequent full day in the classroom. The Administrative team will review complete file, intake interview and student visits for determination of appropriateness of placement. Summit Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.
Approval:
Summit Academy is approved by The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a Chapter 766 Special Needs Private School, Worcester School Committee.
Affiliations:
http://www.maaps.org Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools
Programs and services:
Summit Academy is located in a quiet residential neighborhood on the west side of Worcester at 15 Jamesbury Drive, off Salisbury street. The proximity to major routes allows service to all of central Massachusetts and further east, as well as northern Connecticut. Boston is approximately 45 miles east on Rt. 90. The school features spacious classrooms, a library, therapy room, all purpose room, martial arts dojo, and centralized office space. The site includes a large recreation area with playground equipment, basketball and soccer areas, and grassy spaces. Classrooms are equipped with desktop and laptop computers as well as i-pads.
History:
Summit Academy, Massachusetts opened its doors in Leominster in 2007, received DESE approval in 2008, and moved to our Worcester facility in 2009. Summit was founded on a commitment to honoring the potential of all students, recognizing and addressing their hierarchy of needs, and creatively engaging them in hands-on learning opportunities. Therapeutic martial arts programs encourage connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain through cross-body movement. An eclectic, strengths-based approach to social and emotional development includes principles of cognitive behavior therapy, applied behavior analysis, and opportunities for real life problem solving.
Our students have usually have a primary diagnosis of High Functioning Autism or a related disability, such as Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, Social Communication Disorder, or NVLD.
They often have secondary diagnoses, including (but not limited to) ADHD, Anxiety, mild-moderate Mood Disorder/depression, Tourette's/tics, mild OCD.
They may or may not have mild to moderate interfering behavior, including social challenges, non-compliance, shut-downs, rigidity, and self-regulation challenges.
Our students do NOT typically present with a primary emotional/behavioral disorder, severely disruptive or aggressive behavior, risk of harm to self/others, or psychosis. Summit students do not typically have a primary intellectual disability, or require 1:1 instruction for academics.
Summit students typically have low-average to above-average cognitive functioning, and learn best in a naturalistic, small group setting.
School type:
- Chapter 766 School - Day
Admission procedures:
Admissions are initiated from school districts, parents and educational consultants. A referral packet and/or the students’ records are provided to begin the process of admissions. Ages 6 through 22 are considered, with year round open enrollment available. After records are reviewed, an intake interview with parents/guardians is scheduled along with the scheduling of the prospective student to spend a two hour visit and sometimes a subsequent full day in the classroom. The Administrative team will review complete file, intake interview and student visits for determination of appropriateness of placement. Summit Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.
Approval:
Summit Academy is approved by The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a Chapter 766 Special Needs Private School, Worcester School Committee.
Affiliations:
http://www.maaps.org Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools
Programs and services:
- Summit Academy is committed to a therapeutic school model focused on small class size, differentiated small group instruction, multi-modal learning experiences, and therapeutic support.
- Each multi-age classroom of 12 students is staffed by two certified teachers and an instructional aide. High quality academics are based on the Common Core and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and are assessed throughout the year using the nationally normed NWEA MAP Test.
- Social skills training takes place daily in the classroom setting, and is embedded in the school culture throughout the day. On-site behavior specialists, speech-language pathologists, and mental health counselors provide social and emotional support. Click to learn more about the Zones of Regulation.
- Our transition counselor works with students ages 14 and up on job readiness and post-secondary goals.
- Therapeutic martial arts address coordination, memory, self-regulation, and cross-body movement to create and strengthen connections in the brain.
- Art and Music classes are held weekly! Summit is proud to have a Board Certified Music Therapist and MA certified art teacher on staff.
- Our 198 day school year begins in August, and runs through the end of June, following the public school calendar. Summer Enrichment programs are offered during the month of July.
- Our small, nurturing environment has proven to be the ideal setting for our students to reach their full potential and to achieve their goals.
Summit Academy is located in a quiet residential neighborhood on the west side of Worcester at 15 Jamesbury Drive, off Salisbury street. The proximity to major routes allows service to all of central Massachusetts and further east, as well as northern Connecticut. Boston is approximately 45 miles east on Rt. 90. The school features spacious classrooms, a library, therapy room, all purpose room, martial arts dojo, and centralized office space. The site includes a large recreation area with playground equipment, basketball and soccer areas, and grassy spaces. Classrooms are equipped with desktop and laptop computers as well as i-pads.
History:
Summit Academy, Massachusetts opened its doors in Leominster in 2007, received DESE approval in 2008, and moved to our Worcester facility in 2009. Summit was founded on a commitment to honoring the potential of all students, recognizing and addressing their hierarchy of needs, and creatively engaging them in hands-on learning opportunities. Therapeutic martial arts programs encourage connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain through cross-body movement. An eclectic, strengths-based approach to social and emotional development includes principles of cognitive behavior therapy, applied behavior analysis, and opportunities for real life problem solving.
"J. has progressed in every area of his emotional and academic life since he entered the school. The staff guided J. with patience and strength away from anger outbursts to a boy who can stand in his feelings and handle each one of them with respect for himself and others. " -Parent
