About Us
A Legacy of Innovation and Belonging
Summit’s story began with a simple but powerful belief—that learning should spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Nearly a century later, that vision still guides us.
Summit School was founded in 1933 by visionary educator Louise Futrell, whose belief in active, individualized, and joyful learning shaped every aspect of the school’s identity. Guided by the progressive ideals of John Dewey, Summit was built to educate the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—through rich, multidisciplinary programs that connect ideas across subjects and to the wider world. Those founding principles remain alive today, continuing to guide how we teach, how students learn, and how our community grows together.
From its earliest days, Summit has been a place where “everybody is a somebody,” a community that values each child’s unique strengths and perspectives. Our tradition of innovation—rooted in creativity, curiosity, and collaboration—has continually evolved to prepare students for a future world we cannot predict. In classrooms emphasizing inquiry, empathy, and adaptability, students are encouraged to think deeply, act purposefully, and discover their place in an ever-changing world. Nearly a century after its founding, Summit’s spirit of progressive education endures—vibrant, forward-thinking, and centered on the whole child.
