Summit School is a clinical day school for students between the ages of 10 and 18 located in the town of Manchester and serves a diverse student body from many Connecticut communities. Licensed by the Connecticut Department of Education (DOE) as a special education school, Summit school serves students who, for a variety of reasons, have been unsuccessful in traditional school settings. Summit school specializes in educating students with histories that may include behavioral, social, academic, psychiatric or substance abuse challenges.
Summit School offers students a meaningful, authentic learning experience in a warm, supportive and empowering setting.
After 35 years of serving children Summit School is proud to offer a new state of the art building, classroom, and curriculum as it aims to meet the ever changing needs of the education community.
Our dedicated and passionate educational staff is committed to the healing of young minds, spirits, and bodies. The principal, teachers, paraprofessionals, clinical and support staff work together to foster a learning community that balances realistic and challenging academics with understanding the individualized needs of the students they serve. A key feature of the learning environment is integrating DBT and other therapeutic based dialogue and skills throughout the program.
Summit School empowers students to become self directed learners who are actively involved and engaged in their learning process. Self regulation strategies and skills such as setting personal, academic, and social goals to promote the development of self efficacy and esteem are implemented throughout the curricula.
During a typical week at Summit School students have the opportunity to partake in academic coursework, elective coursework, community based learning and outreach, and vocational/career focused opportunities. Specialized clinically focused groups are also an important enhancement to Summit School’s daily practice. Small classroom size and individual attention along with enhancements such as state of the art computers and smartboards, rock climbing wall, and incentive based teen center all contribute to the student’s overall experience.