T H E S U M M I T C O U N T R Y D AY U P P E R S C H O O L S T U D E N T G U I D E
2161 Grandin Road Cincinnati, OH 45208 513.871.4700 www.summitcds.org
The Summit Country Day School is a nationally recognized Catholic, independent, coeducational school. Our students have the opportunity to learn and grow in a culture that is
Content Welcome Academics Athletics
focused on each individual student. The Summit Upper School is a
The Arts
diverse community with students
Clubs and Organizations
representing
over
50
different
Middle Schools in the Cincinnati area and around the globe.
College Counseling Senior Year and Beyond
welcome
At The Summit you have a unique opportunity to discover who you are and what you want to become.
Here at The Summit, you may: compete for varsity positions as a freshman study abroad & enhance your world language skills explore marine biology with your classmates in Hawaii mentor the under-served in Cincinnati & around the world take Advanced Placement courses from among 25 offered
We expect a lot from you over the next four years. You can trust us to give you a lot in return. The Summit Upper School program is effective because it simulates college and real life experiences. Generations of brilliant minds have tweaked and refined principles laid down by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The Summit program is innovative, fresh, relevant and it works. Our graduates attend the colleges and universities of their choice. They are Jefferson and Evans Scholars, Intel Award recipients, and NCAA Division I athletes. At The Summit, you will be mentored and challenged to Aim High in an intimate learning environment.
The Summit Oratory Leadership Program (SOLEIL) is a fouryear
educational
leadership
experience, preparing students to become effective leaders in the world they will inherit. The
program
fosters
and
empowers personal growth in faith, character, morallybased
leadership
and
formation of conscience. The culmination of SOLEIL is the senior chapel talk where students use their voice to reflect, share and engage with their classmates.
Imagine hearing heart-felt revelations in a group setting from an upperclassman
The football star, who also writes poetry, who is your lab partner in chemistry, who you never realized had a sense of
that act of sharing of self is powerful.
humor:
Inside Tips from Students, Young Alumni & Faculty
C HAPEL TAL KS
It
generates a profound sense of community. Chapel Talks are a relatively new institution and yet feel as if they have always been a part of the school.
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“ For Summer pursuits, Summit teachers will steer students to programs, write recommendations, and help locate scholarship money so that their scholastic experience continues in the summer. I work with students to help narrow down their interests in order to apply for summer programs, part time jobs, and college. I help the students research possibilities and coach them for any interviews and/or discussions with faculty. I encourage the students to look for opportunities, do their own research, and then select programs that will offer exploration, engagement, and a challenge. In many cases, I’m a sounding board for their ideas and can offer advice. ” — Upper and Middle School Guidance Counselor
robby My family and I looked at a variety of schools. After attending the Open House, shadowing, and meeting with Admissions, I started to see The Summit as a good fit for me. I could just really picture myself here. At the same time, my dad and my sister thought I should go. It just all came together. I did have a concern at the beginning of my search that a few of my friends would be going to other schools and I would be going to another. But I recognized so many people at The Summit when I shadowed throughout the day. I also liked how the students and teachers interacted. Everyone made me feel welcome.
Here are some of the factors that helped me decide that The Summit would be a good fit:
3.
Academically, The Summit is a great school. That goes without saying.
1.
4.
2.
My advice to anyone entering high school is to go through the process. While you are attending the Open Houses, talking to people and shadowing, look for what would be a good fit for you.
Small class size: I was coming from a grade school with a relatively small class size. I’m talking about the number of people in the classroom and the grade size. If you have 400 in your school versus 400 in your grade, you are going to be able to get to know everyone and feel comfortable. Co-Education – I wanted a co-ed environment for my high school experience. Co-ed schools reflect the diversity of our society, and I know a co-ed experience will further prepare me for college.
I checked The Summit website to see all of the sports that I could play. At a larger school, I would maybe have the chance to play one sport. At The Summit, I could play as many as I wanted and maybe even play up. I’m on the soccer and basketball teams.
"The Sisters had faith in the sacredness of the individual. We offer a values-based education believing that God has given our students gifts and talents, not for themselves but to develop for others. We treasure every person and carry a sense of purpose to help them become the best version of themselves." — Upper School Director
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“Don’t worry about being labeled
the jock smart person. or the
People at
The Summit
will embrace you for who you are." — Bradley, Senior
Tell me about your decision to attend The Summit Upper School. I wanted a school where I could be challenged academically and physically. In the search process, The Summit’s academic and college counseling program stood out from the other schools I considered. I also knew that I wanted to be a three sport athlete at a competitive school. The Summit challenges me on and off the court. Before coming to The Summit being an athlete defined me; now I am so much more.
BRADLEY
What other interests have you pursued? One spring, my teacher told my AP Bio class about summer programs at the UC College of Medicine. I decided to try for UC ExSEL. I was accepted into this five-week program of 20 students. We shadowed PhD.’s and grad students in different specialties like Cancer, Genetics and Immunology. One week we sequenced our own DNA and another week we dissected a human brain. Last Summer, I attended a scholar program and was taken inside Procter & Gamble to view how different products are created. I also joined the Diversity/Inclusion Club and the Philosophy Club.
The work load is heavy and the subject matter of the classes is tough. Brace yourself for it. What was your greatest high school moment so far? I would have to say the District Finals for basketball this year. After the game, everyone on the team cut down the net while the crowd was cheering. I’ve never seen so many people at a game. It was a great honor to represent The Summit and receive our medals on the court.
Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen? Get involved in clubs and sports. This is probably where you will make your best friends because you build special relationships with the people on your teams and in your clubs. Take AP Biology. It’s a great class. Don't be overwhelmed by the transition. Be ready for it — the work load is heavy and the subject matter of the classes is tough. Brace yourself for it. Try hard your freshman and sophomore years because those grades matter.
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Every student in the Upper School is assigned to a faculty advisor and advisement group of 8-10 students. Advisors serve as a mentor to students, actively participating in their student’s preparation for course selection and engagement in The Summit mission. Advisement groups form strong relationships during their four years together. "I enjoy my role as an advisor in the Upper School very much. The advisement program gives me the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with my advisees that often last well beyond their years at The Summit. As an advisor, I become my advisees' mentor and advocate, helping them navigate through their Upper School years. During the four years I spend with them, I work to help my advisement form a cohesive, social, and supportive group. My advisement role has enriched me professionally in a special way." — Marianne Cramer, Upper School Librarian, Advisor
ADV IS EMENT
Pictured left: Alice O'Dell Brannon, Upper School English teacher, Advisor, Diversity & Inclusion Club Moderator, and Summit graduate.
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MeGHaN
In your opinion, what are the greatest differences between Middle School and Upper School?
There’s a lot more freedom. The time after eating your lunch can be spent in the library, or hanging out with your friends. You are not out on the playground being supervised every moment. Teachers trust you to do your work. They care a lot and will stay after school to help you understand something, but you have to be responsible to do it. Exam weeks are really difficult, so be ready for that.
What advice would you give a student coming from Middle School? Stay true to yourself, but don’t limit yourself. Don’t be afraid to try new things. So for example, if you’ve never debated before, but want to try it, come to Mock Trial.
What has been your quintessential Upper School experience? When did you say to yourself, “I’m not in Middle School any more?” I was at a basketball game, actually! A freshman from my class hit a three pointer at the buzzer to win the game. Everyone was yelling! These juniors that I didn’t even know were hugging me. I felt like I was at a college game. It was a moment I will never forget.
SIBONGILE SITHE ’07 & KELLY CRONIN Bongi is an English major at Yale. After winning writing awards, the Department Elmore A. Willets Prize and Second Place in the Wallace Prize for Fiction, she decided to apply for a fiction writing concentration in the Spring. My favorite Summit memories involve Ms. Cronin. I would take any class that Ms. Cronin taught. Looking back I am so impressed with the length that Summit teachers would go to help you. When we were studying for the AP Euro exam, Ms. Cronin held half-day study sessions for four weeks before the test. She brought us donuts and juice. When I hear other people at Yale talking about their high school, I realize that teaching was not just a job for Summit teachers. When someone gives up their Sunday to go over Russian Revolutionary History with you AND brings you food, that’s commitment. I’m really glad that I wrote research papers. (Remember I will take anything that Ms. Cronin teaches.) Don’t tell her this, but I still need to return the Pocket Guide to Writing History Research Papers to her. I still have notes
from her class on how to “gut“ a book, how to site quickly, verify sources, how to ensure that the author is a legitimate voice. Those notes have really come in handy in college. The way I look at choosing a high school is the same way that I felt about selecting a college; honestly, you should look at the way the school makes you feel. Are you a valued member of the community? Do you feel welcome? The Summit is passionate about you as a person. The Summit values you as an individual. I had all the cell phone numbers of my teachers. If I had a problem, and it didn’t matter if it was the weekend, they would help me out. You were not just a grade to them; not just another paper they had to correct. Even now they still care about me. The teachers remember me and stay in touch. I always visit The Summit when I come home from Yale.
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Electrophoresis Chamber Thermalcycler Mini Centrifuge Light Boxes Gel Casting Trays Micropipettors
Jump Right in !
"Be an active learner. It’s not enough for your body to be present, taking notes in my classroom. Think about what you are doing. I love it when students ask questions. Make the subject your own by relating the material to the world around you. I often bring in articles from the New York Times Science section, the Cincinnati Enquirer and Science News. Practice thinking beyond the textbook." — Karen Cruse, Upper School Honors and AP Biology Instructor
Design a procedure to select positively for antibiotic-resistant transformed cells Determine how a plasmid can be engineered to include a piece of foreign DNA Use bioinformatics to compare class data to worldwide population data Determine unknown DNA fragment sizes when given DNA fragments of known size Use PCR and DNA gel electrophoresis in DNA profiling 14
"My goal is to help Chinese language students build a solid academic foundation in basic comprehension of vocabulary and grammar, as well as a firm grasp of Chinese pronunciation and conversation. This curriculum is supplemented by a variety of activities to heighten students’ Chinese linguistic and cultural awareness." — Upper School World Language teacher
WORLD LANGUAGES offered at The Summit Chinese
Think Globally!
French • Honors & AP Ancient Greek Latin • Honors & AP Spanish • Honors & AP
During a recent trip to France, Summit students toured the museums and monuments of Paris for several days before living with host families in Nancy. "We took pictures of the Eiffel Tower, walked under the Arc de Triomphe, and visited an Impressionist museum where we saw the best of Monet, Manet, Degas, Renior and others. We then took a breathtaking tour of the Opera House of Paris." — Quinn, Junior
FORMATION DAYS
Annual program for all Summit Upper School students and faculty
While juniors took their leave for Kairos and seniors headed off to be their leaders or join in on Urban Plunge, the freshmen and sophomores stayed behind to test and grow in their relationship with God, Self & Others. Two of the days were opposite days: help-others day (service day) and self-help day
photo by Gabrielle, Senior
(Camp Joy). Our service day was composed of advisements being paired to go out into the community and perform services such as rake leaves, deliver food baskets, sort at Freestore Foodbank, or paint a house. My service was to play soccer with Special Olympics children, but when I arrived and began to interact with them, it was not a service anymore. It became a goal to make each one of them smile and laugh, or to see their eyes go wide. I think that is when one realizes the beauty of helping others. Each service day was about thinking of others, and with all the effort and time we put forth, I think we were successful in our mission. After focusing on others, we turned to focusing on ourselves at Camp Joy. It ended up being pretty difficult to not think about yourself…falling sixty feet and thumping to the ground like a limp rag doll.
At least, those were my thoughts as I slipped and gripped my way up the Alpine Tower or even the ropes course. Whether you made it to each zip line or climbed halfway up the courses, the day bluntly shoved your strengths and weaknesses in your face. No matter how strong or quick or intelligent you are – you need the people around you holding you up; cheers from classmates, the relay team at your feet, or parents, siblings, and teachers. They have already slipped and dangled from a great height, they have struggled with the same footholds, and they are ready to show you the way. So if Camp Joy day was about discovering the challenges in your life, it was also about discovering the help and support that surrounds you each day. — Mandy, Freshman
Act Locally! 16
The Upper School continues to build on the writing and research program that has helped so many of our alumni succeed in college. As our recent graduates come back to visit during their breaks we hear every year the now familiar comments about teaching their classmates how to write an essay and a research paper. One of our graduates recently sent us an e-mail about his required writing seminar at Columbia University where they used the same research handbook he had already read at The Summit. He was excited to discover that the three styles of writing covered in the seminar were styles he had already mastered with three different Summit faculty members.
RESEARCH PAPER PROGRAM Past Research Project Subjects: The Development of Irish Cultural Nationalism in the Irish Home Rule Movement King Philip II, The Catholic Crusader The Opium Wars, British Dominance in China A Case Study of Gahndian Non-Violence in the Reform Movements of Czechoslovakia, Burma and China
While essay writing is taught through the English Department and reinforced in History, Honors and AP courses, the research paper program crosses many departments. The program that prepares students to write research papers begins the freshman year and ensures that every student writes a minimum of five research papers before they graduate. The English Department requires every freshman to write a 4-6 page research paper and teaches the basic skills of research writing including library skills, note taking format, MLA citation format, and writing style. In the sophomore year the History Department reinforces the same skills while also teaching the use of endnotes as a citation format. Every sophomore history course requires a research paper and all students take a field trip to the Cincinnati Public Library to learn how to find appropriate sources for their topic. In the junior year, the Religion Department teaches a different type of research writing based on discourse analysis ensuring that every student learns to analyze and synthesize the opinions of a variety of biblical scholars. Discourse analysis continues in the English Department senior year, when all students write at least two research papers based on the literary criticism written by scholars about a work the students have read. In addition to these five required papers, many teachers assign additional research projects in these departments and in the Science Department.
“The Concord Review, Inc., was founded in March 1987 to recognize and to publish exemplary history essays by high school students in the English-speaking world.� Nationally, only 3% of the papers received each year are actually featured in this prestigious review. Three of the four Greater Cincinnati students published in The Concord Review are Summit Country Day School students.
Get with it!
"With our wireless campus, Smartboards, Blackboard, Tablet PCs, etc., Summit teachers realize that the educational environment is changing. Students don't leave school right after classes, go straight
home and work on their computer. They may have a half hour free after school before lacrosse practice and they need to utilize that time efficiently. Technology is infused in Summit students' lives helping
them to successfully their daily demands.
multi-task
I recently clarified some issues in chemistry at a break in the action during a football game. One of my students was struggling to
understand a problem from class and we both had 10 minutes. I went over it with him on my iPhone right there from the bleachers. That's pretty typical – everyone multi-tasks." — Upper School Chemistry Teacher
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“ I challenge students to think about what they are reading and talk about it. We provoke thought in my class. Addressing issues in art and spirituality, our discussions examine pillars other than academic: Why am I here? What is love? What is the value of money? All of these questions have been asked and answered by world-renowned authors who were influenced by their historical period, literary philosophy, and their family. We elevate language, develop argument, moving from narrative to author’s intent and craft. We write and then examine our own writing. How did that author make you feel that way? Students in my class study how, not just what.”
alex With about 100 students per grade, it’s the perfect balance of having plenty of people to hang out with and small enough that you can get to know everyone and make friends. Probably your biggest concern coming in is “Where will I fit in? Will everyone be different than me?” If you come in with an open mind, everyone at The Summit rallies for you. People adopted me right away.
— Pat Kelly, Upper School English Teacher
The first day of school for Upper School students is Ignition Day where you get to enjoy the last fleeting day of summer. The juniors go to Miami Whitewater where there are group bikes, paddle boats, food and a waterpark. So, I got to meet people in a low pressure environment before classes actually started. I try to have at least one major extracurricular each quarter so I do field hockey in the fall, Mock Trial in the winter and lacrosse, and track and field in the spring. The Summit has a no cut policy. Our lacrosse coach told us there was a place
for everyone and everyone would contribute to the team. In track, our relay team went to the Regional Finals in northern Ohio which was really fun! My favorite class is Mr. Kelly’s Honors English class. It is very challenging – we read a lot of literature. But I look forward to it every day. I now recognize the underlying issues in the stories rather than just memorizing plot lines and our class discussions are very intellectual. We also watch and analyze from a literary standpoint, movies like Raisin in the Sun, The Age of Innocence and The Glass Menagerie. I talk to Mr. Kelly about literature after class. I know that the best way for me to learn is to study one-on-one with a teacher. Math and chemistry are not my strengths. If I have a test on Thursday, I stay after school on Monday and arrive early on Wednesday to ask my math and science teachers questions. Study sessions, especially the AP classes, are often offered on Sunday.
“ When the golf team went to State two years in a row, the faculty and students set up the Spirit Tunnel for us in St. Cecilia's. They do that for all of the athletic and academic teams on their way to State. It's an awesome recognition for all of your hard work.” — Nate, Senior
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ALEX
Can you give any advice to Upper School students coming here from another school? I know I was worried about cliques and groups of friends. I shouldn’t have been concerned. Everyone was very accepting. At The Summit, you don’t have to worry about being cool or fitting in. Everybody wants to hang out. Also in class, teachers love it when you participate. Don’t worry so much about having the exact words. Speak up and be confident no matter who you are. As a successful athlete who is also carrying a challenging academic schedule, do you have any specific advice about time management? Always put school first. If you have a game or practice after school, do some of your work right after school. For example, if you have a game at 7:00, you’re going to get home after 9:00 and the only thing you are going to want to do then is eat dinner and go to bed. The Summit is open after the school day, so there are a lot of places to do your homework before practice or a game. Use that time well. If you absolutely have to miss practice to finish a project or for a big exam, talk to your coach. Coaches will work hard to make sure you have time for schoolwork. Everyone knows that academics are a priority at this school, so you are going to have the coaches’ support if you are working as hard as you can. The coaches do everything they can to help you reach your goals. My junior year I needed help with turning and shooting and the coaches stayed after practice to work with me. Even though I am graduating, they said that I would be welcome this summer at practice. They truly care about you as an individual. What are your college plans? Attending Notre Dame has been my dream since ninth grade. The Summit’s college counselors helped me understand what I needed to do, to stand out. Our Upper School Director gave me a handwritten note to deliver to Notre Dame’s Assistant Provost for Enrollment on my college visit. Do you have any final words for incoming freshmen? Coming to The Summit was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Every day here is so much better than I could have imagined. This school has changed my life! I absolutely love The Summit and everyone I talk to feels the same way. Alex is an ESPN All American, NSCAA Scholar All American, National Honor Society member, Spirit Club member, enrolled in the Student Ambassador Program, and has given 60+ hours of community service to University Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. He is majoring in Business this fall at the University of Notre Dame on a soccer scholarship.
ROCKET CLUB
“We build model rockets & launch them at Spirit Events like the Homecoming pep rally & Unity Day.”— Christopher, Senior 22
DEVANTE Devante's academic work involves teamwork skills learned on the football and lacrosse fields:
"In Dr. Law's Honors History class, we worked in groups to research and create African masks. We had to bring our minds together, take on leadership and assign roles to complete the assignment."
Knight Time When we have a Spirit Bus, “ EVERYONE gets involved.
You see it when we have black outs,
WHITE OUTS & THE school colors. -Upper School English teacher and Spirit Club Advisor
”
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Fall Cheerleading Cross Country Field Hockey Football Golf Soccer Girls Tennis Volleyball
Winter Basketball Bowling Swimming Wrestling
Spring Baseball Lacrosse Softball Boys Tennis Track & Field 70% Student Participation 15% participate in collegiate athletics
Triumph & Tradition!
AtHLeTcS
The Summit Country Day School offers 20 Varsity sports, and 12 Junior Varsity sports with a no-cut policy. The Summit is a member of The Miami Valley Conference.
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The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longestrunning, largest, most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in visual and literary arts. Nearly 4,000 entries were submitted regionally. Recently Clay, a member of Mark Wiesner’s AP Portfolio class captured the gold in the portfolio competition. Several other Summit Upper School students received Gold Keys for work in photography, drawing and computer art. Six Silver Keys and seven Honorable Mentions were also awarded to The Summit Upper and Middle School students. Portfolio winners and Gold Place winners travel to New York for a national judging. www2.summitcds.org/visual-arts/index.cfm
photo by Clay, Senior
FIN E ARTS
The most important skills students will take away from these courses are: a new sense of seeing making meaning with form versus words proficiency in creating powerful images, rather than merely "taking pictures� Courses available: Photography, Graphic Design, Portfolio, AP Portfolio, Ceramics/Sculpture, Drawing & Painting
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"Lessons and Carols last December was my first experience as a soloist. During practice, I was joking around with my friend Evan about starting a Glee Club at The Summit when our choral director, overheard us. She actually thought it was a good idea and agreed to sponsor us. Over 60 people signed up! I play forward on The Summit basketball team. We have football and soccer players in our club, and have had several performances. Sometimes I like to think of myself as Finn from the TV series, Glee." — Ryan, Junior
Upper School chorus, Camerata performs at The Summit's Lessons and Carols
Pictured opposite: Madeline on the violin and her sister, Gabriella, on the viola. Both girls are members of the Cincinnati Youth Symphony Orchestra.
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“Since a drama program wasn't offered at my grade school, opening night my freshman year at The Summit was a
pretty big deal!" — Peter, Sophomore
Recent Performances: Sound of Music, Little Women, Babes in Arms, Crazy for You, Footloose, Once Upon a Mattress, Our Town and And Then There Were None
STEVE ZABRECKY ’07 Steve Zabrecky is studying electrical engineering at Purdue and is an active member of Habitat for Humanity. He started an LLC to develop iPhone applications with several friends working for him. His first app allows the user to teach themselves to understand and reference the periodic table. His second one acts as a fortune teller similar to the magic 8 ball. His top secret third application is still under development. My main advice to incoming freshmen would be to find a mentor. I really did not have a direction when I started Upper School. I thought I might be an artist, but I wasn’t really very good at it. Mr. Towers is the one who recognized my potential and believed in me. I was in Solar Car Club my sophomore year and I realized that I liked gadgets. I just applied myself more and more each year. Mr. Towers actually directed me to engineering. He was my advisor for Advisement Group and taught me Physics and Intro to Engineering. I remember building a flashlight for my senior project. I am still a huge fan of his – I try to see him every time I’m in town.
"Seniors make something of their own selection in my class. I remember Steve Zabrecky designed and built an LED flashlight before they were readily available on the market. He created it out of PVC tubing. He cut pieces and soldered them. I have to tell you, he really blossomed. He’s the perfect example of someone who finds himself at The Summit." — Eric Towers, Upper School Physics Teacher 32
Step on Up! Clubs and Associations
AYF (American Youth Foundation)
InterAlliance (Technology Club)
Plugged In
Academic Team
Insight (Student Newspaper)
Prom Planning
Ambassador Program
Kairos/Retreat Leaders
Rocket Club
Band Club
Key Club
Rostrum (Yearbook)
Book Club
Latin Club
Rubiks Club
Chess Club
Math Club
Running Club
Computer Programming
Mock Trial
Student Senate
Diversity and Inclusion
Model APEC
Service Coordinator
Drama Club
NHS (National Honor Society)
Super Chemistry Club
Ellipsis (A Magazine for the Curiously Simple)
National Junior Classical League (Latin)
Ski Club
Environmental Club
Ohio Junior Classical League (Latin)
Film Club French Club Glee Club Grub Club Cooking Club
Spirit Club Vegetarian Club
Outreach
World Affairs Council
Peer Ministry
World Quest Team
Philosophy Club
Writers Salon
“ The Summit has a culture of students who are very open, confident & supportive of each other. Our clubs are generated by student interests and desires. Students develop their communication and management skills. They gain
creating an organization & empowering others."
experience
— Director of Student Activities
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Make a difference! "Sister Julie said that our children must be prepared for the world they will inherit. Our students learn to collaborate, to work together on projects and articulate their ideas." — Summit Chaplain Cooperative for Education (COED) is a nonprofit organization based in Hyde Park "dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Guatemala." "A Summit family actually funded my trip to Guatemala. It was such a stroke of luck that I was able to go! My Spanish teacher, Mr. Baechtold told the class about the opportunity to visit in Spanish class - you had to have Spanish language skills to be eligible. I toured the COED facilities in Guatemala for five days accompanied by Upper School Spanish teacher, Mrs. Kelly. Coed supplies books, school supplies, sports equipment like soccer and basketballs for schools in Guatemala. During my experience, we visited five of the 30 schools that COED assists. It was eye-opening to see the condition of a country where most people live in homes with dirt floors and tin roofs. When I returned home, I could not forget how grateful the people were for their education and the materials we provided. I now volunteer at COED. " — Anna, Senior
Summit students are required to participate in 48 hours of service prior to graduation. Students complete their service hours throughout the Cincinnati area and abroad. The recent graduating class performed over 10,000 hours of community service.
Head Heart Hands
LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS "Summit upperclassmen mentor inner city 7th & 8th graders; preparing them for leadership roles in high school and encouraging them to attend college." — Nora, Senior 36
STEVE PENTICUFF 1.
Overcome your fear and set yourself on a path of self-discovery. Explore your options and try new things. This is the year to be experimental and find yourself. By the time you apply for college, you want to be able to present a long-term, demonstrated passion.
2.
Become more independent. Take ownership of your learning. People create themselves through learning and action. Don’t let others define you.
3.
Take your grades seriously. Ninth grade is the first year that colleges see. You don’t want to sabotage your grades for silly reasons.
4.
Challenge yourself with your course selection. Colleges consider your courses relative to what your school offers. If you don’t take a single AP class, you are going to look weak to a highly selective school. Steve Penticuff teaches Upper School English, mentors students in the Chapel Talks program and is a member of the College Counseling team.
“From the beginning,
the College Counseling office makes you feel like you are part of a team. They break it down and give you step-by-step guidance for getting through the process with deadlines for your resume or Mock Admission Night." — Lizzy, Senior
College Counseling
We offer The Summit community prior professional experience as college counselors, college admission officers, as well as college support staff. This background enables the counseling staff to provide valuable and timely advice to families and to help students present their abilities, talents and experiences to the colleges and universities in the most appropriate manner. Over the course of their Summit careers, families and students receive information through specific mailings and e-mails, classwide meetings and parent programming.
Juniors begin a series of college-related standardized testing, as well as start a selfreflective process with their counselor in preparation for college research. Students are encouraged to visit colleges during spring and summer vacations, attend on-campus and local college fairs, and meet individually with the college counselor to discuss their goals and aspirations. Students and the college counselor work together to develop a list of options for active research and consideration, while keeping an eye on the realities of their college admissions prospects. Seniors are required to attend the College Application Forum held in the summer. Here they are introduced to the Common Application, develop their college essay topic and participate in mock college interviews. Our seniors work with the college counselors to develop final lists with an eye for fit and selectivity balance, and begin to focus on the final aspects of the application process. Over 100 college admissions officers visit The Summit throughout the school year to
meet with groups of interested students and conduct individual interviews. Students are encouraged to devote considerable energy to their application essays as they refine their self-presentation, and to make thoughtful decisions about the many exciting opportunities available to them in higher education. Through the middle of the senior year the college counselor and the students work in concert to create a college list that comprehensively connects to the students’ personal attributes, supports their intellectual endeavors, and will provide them with exciting options for undergraduate study. The college process at The Summit is designed to be an extension of the overall education taking place in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in the art studio and in any venue oncampus where faculty have the opportunity to teach Summit students. Seniors leave with a sense of satisfaction for what they have accomplished while at The Summit, along with a healthy dose of enthusiasm for the possibilities in front of them in the years to come.
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Where Do You Want to be in Four Years?
The Summit’s College Counseling Office has a four year program that focuses on supporting, informing and encouraging students and their families as they navigate the exciting, complex and ever-evolving world of college admissions and financial aid. We educate students and families about the nuances of admissions, advise students about appropriate and interesting college and post-secondary options that best suit their specific needs, and support and encourage students as they successfully complete the application process.
Maureen Ferrell, Director of College Counseling
The Summit community values a coeducational environment for teaching and learning. Our collegiate schedule allows for considerable discussion and debate in the classroom. At The Summit, both the female and male perspectives are explored in discussions, allowing our students to express their views openly and assertively. Friendships at The Summit between boys and girls develop in a very natural way, because there are so many activities and clubs in which both participate together.
SELF ASSURANCE 84% of students said they feel comfortable expressing their views in front of members of the opposite sex and commonly report healthy selfesteem.
SOCIAL SKILLS Co-ed students often demonstrate comfort in social situations, and 72% of students say they easily make friends of the opposite sex.
SAFETY
THE CO-ED ADVANTAGE
&
MUTUAL
RESPECT
Students of co-ed schools are more likely to treat members of the opposite sex with courtesy and respect, they also report feeling safe at their schools because of lack of bullying and harassment.
REAL-WORLD PREPARATION 71% of parents felt co-ed schools better prepared students for post-secondary education.
DIVERSITY
62% of students at co-ed schools feel they are able to participate in many educational activities with both same gender or opposite gender students. Source: Selecting an Independent School: The Benefits of the Co-educational Environment.
"For the past four years, late April and early May have meant working hard (last minute cramming for AP exams) and playing hard (choosing a tuxedo and date for prom.) I also have District Finals for tennis at this time. My best friends are on the team and we are all pretty competitive guys! The Summit offers a great balance of working and playing." — Debha is majoring in
Bioengineering
at
Stanford
University in the fall. His tennis teammates Evan (Duke University), Nico (Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania), and Andre (Vanderbilt University) plan to stay in touch after graduation.
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SE NIOR SE ARCH THE WORLD
Seniors truly embraced the spirit of Senior Search, which asks students to demonstrate responsible independence in designing and pursuing their own learning experiences. Often these experiences are entirely separate from the existing curriculum. Seniors have freedom to focus on the development of an interest or skill they already have or to try an entirely new endeavor. Summit students have observed and assisted physicians at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and photographers in San Francisco. Acupuncture specialists, environmental engineers, the head keeper for Cincinnati Zoo's Mast Farm, day traders in the stock market,
local tenant farmers, immigration attorneys, music composer, Zen Buddhist monks, and National Weather Service meteorologists have all been shadowed by Summit Seniors. “Senior Search is the ideal transition to college, where independent learning really takes off,” says faculty member Steve Penticuff who leads the Senior Search Program. “With three weeks to pursue their own unique passions, our seniors are ready to pursue the best kind of self-discovery there is, ready to push themselves to overcome some significant fears and challenges.”
“I spent two days in the Black River trying to catch 130 pound sturgeons until I finally got one!” Elizabeth said. Her excitement grew as she learned to tag them and harvest their eggs for fertilization at the fish hatchery – and she discovered her preference for field work over administrative or crafting research. “I found that the higher up you were in the project, the less actual field work you were exposed to,” she explained. “That’s good information for me and part of what Senior Search is designed to do.” — Elizabeth, graduate
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ALUMNI A Summit education extends far beyond the classroom – it accompanies graduates throughout their lives and encourages them to go further, reach higher, and rise above. The Summit's more than 3,500 alumni live across the United States and around the world. They work as professors, chemists, stockbrokers, producers, CEOs, professional athletes, physicians, attorneys, judges, lobbyists, fashion designers, venture capitalists, governors, diplomats, evolutionary geneticists, immunologists and founders of charitable organizations. While our alumni are distinguished by a diversity of talents, perspectives, and experiences, they remain united by their connections they made – with their teachers, their friends, and their sense of themselves – during their Summit years.
PHILLIP J. CASTELLINI ’88 Phil, a “Summit lifer" who rode the bus from Glendale two hours each way to attend school, is a current Summit parent. He was named Chief Operations Officer for the Cincinnati Reds in January, 2008. Following the 2005 season, he was hired as the Reds’ Senior Director of Business Operations and in January, 2007 was named Senior Vice President of Business Operations. Since he joined the organization, Phil has been instrumental in the revival and expansion of Redsfest, the club’s annual fan festival, and Winter Caravan. He oversaw additions to the ballpark experience that included new party areas Frontgate Outdoor Luxury Suite and Cincinnati Bell Riverboat Deck, renovations to Scouts Alley, improvements to the Fan Zone, the addition of new mascot Mr. Redlegs and the development of new uniforms. Phil is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and is on the Queen City Club Board of Governors.
EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS & COACHES IMPART REAL LIFE SKILLS DICK HOLMES 'Any boy who attended The Summit knew and loved Mr. Holmes. He was an icon. Although I was short for my age at that time – I was 4’11” in 8th grade – I played all of the sports in Middle School including offensive and defensive end. I remember one football game against a much larger team. I was across from this huge guy and every play he would ram me up and out about five feet. After the first quarter, Mr. Holmes grabbed me by my face mask. I was expecting a pep talk or words of encouragement, but he said, “Son, it’s going to be a looong afternoon!” I
still laugh when I think about it. On the other hand, I got to catch the winning pass when we won the city championship that year. Mr. Holmes really taught you the value of hard work.' MARK WIESNER “He opened my mind and that creativity influences my work every day whether it’s reconfiguring a physical space or an innovative marketing idea.” BRUCE BOWDON “He introduced me to one of my great loves. I learned to appreciate music in all of its forms from Mr. Bowdon. He showed us the connection between genres – blues and rock, classical and jazz.”
ROBERT GOREY “I was struggling with science when Mr. Gorey gave me extra work and after school help. He led these fabulous science field trips. The small class size was a great advantage.” PAT KELLY & CAROL FULTZ “All of those research papers - just learning the structure and attention to detail - prepared me for writing in college and beyond. My business report for a new product launch or a three page memo on a promotional idea are based on those skills. Mr. Kelly and Mrs. Fultz challenged me to live up to my full potential.”
88 Summit Graduates AT A GLANCE
• Together they earned merit scholarships. • One senior was merit scholarships and universities.
over
$13.5
million
in
offered $360,000 in from various colleges
• Acceptances poured in to these seniors from Stanford, Brown, Southern Cal, Duke, Columbia, Boston College, Carnegie Mellon, Penn, Cal Berkeley, Wake Forest, Case Western, Cornell, Dartmouth, Davidson, North Carolina, Georgetown, Kenyon, NYU, Northwestern, Purdue, U Va, Vanderbilt, Wash U, Wellesley, and other prominent institutions. • 13% will compete at the collegiate athletic level next year, including one ESPN All-American who will attend the University of Notre Dame. • Four students will be art majors in college. • This class shared their gifts and talents, logging in 10,000 hours of community service their senior year. • The Ohio State University offered two Summit seniors the prestigious Morrill Scholarship. • Other students received full rides or full tuition to Howard University and the US Military Academy. • Local schools such as the University of Cincinnati, Xavier, Miami, Denison and the University of Dayton heavily recruited this group of seniors. • 19% were recognized Scholarship Program.
by
the
National
Merit
• Colleges and universities from across the country and Canada, like Boston University, Arizona State, Penn State, Southern Methodist, Maryland, Auburn, Michigan, South Carolina, Amherst, Clemson, Creighton, Fordham, McGill, Oregon State, Virginia Tech, University of Denver, DePaul, George Washington, Rochester Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech, Baylor, and many more sought enrollment of these graduates.
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you are invited VISIT
Your next step is to get to know us better! We have a number of opportunities at The Summit Country Day School for shadowing, personal tours, and Open Houses.
APPLY
The Summit seeks to enroll students who are prepared to be successful academically and contribute positively to the Summit community as a whole. The Summit admits qualified students of any race, color, religion or ethnic origin. Each student who applies to The Summit receives a thorough evaluation by the Admission Committee. The Admission Office is committed to helping families by providing assistance during each step of the admission process, offering quick responses to your questions.
AFFORDABILITY/ SCHOLARSHIPS
A Summit education represents an investment in your future, and we recognize that choosing an independent school education requires a significant commitment to financial planning by all families. Selecting the best high school education helps you develop the tools necessary for success – selfconfidence, determination, disciplined analysis, creativity, empathy, integrity, character, and intellect. Families wishing to apply for tuition assistance are required to complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online at www.NAIS.org through The School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students. Please contact The Summit Admission Office at 513.871.4700 to schedule your campus visit, or log onto www.summitcds.org, for additional information. We look forward to getting to know you!
The mission of The Summit is to challenge every student, faculty and staff member; to share fully the gifts that have been given to them by God; to grow in grace and wisdom; to develop spiritually, academically, physically, socially and artistically; and to become people of character who value and improve the world they inherit.
T H E S U M M I T C O U N T R Y D AY U P P E R S C H O O L S T U D E N T G U I D E
2161 Grandin Road Cincinnati, OH 45208 513.871.4700 www.summitcds.org