Amanda Dervaitis, one of the founders of Summit Micro School, is a champion of the micro school, and she created the school in light of the benefits a small school can offer. The program is, in a sense, the reinvention of the one-room schoolhouse with mixed age classrooms and very close student-teacher relationships. Likewise, the programming is very responsive to the needs of the students, and adaptable to a wider range of resources, including those within the neighbouring community—while the student body may be small, the classroom extends well beyond the walls of the school, including regular interaction with local businesses and services. It’s perhaps not a typical model, though for many families, it’s rightly a very attractive one. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a flexible, vibrant learning environment.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Neurodiverse students deserve an education that allows them to thrive, regardless of their differences. We understand how students with ADHD, anxiety, giftedness, and other LDs think and learn. Because neurodiversity is vital to our society, we strive to make being “different” the norm. Our rigorous, advanced program is tailored to diverse learners, focusing on their strengths. Since 2011, SMS has been a recognized leader in inclusive education, within which students feel safe, confident, and understood."
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Futures Thinking
Experiential/Field Learning
Outdoor Education
Regular guest educators and experts
'Lab School'. In collaboration with educational researchers, developing cutting edge practices
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
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3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
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4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
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5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
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6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
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7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
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8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
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9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
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10. What might families find surprising about your school?
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11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
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