As Summit’s Founder, I am often asked how our school was started, so I am going to tell you the story. It was 1988; I had a private practice as a Learning Disabilities Specialist in Annapolis, MD. I saw hundreds and hundreds of students during an eight year period and the presenting issue was often the same, “My child is struggling, I know he (she) is smart, but he is frustrated, homework is a nightmare, he has a tutor, and he still feels dumb”.
Parents often asked me to open a school since I had a staff of trained tutors, but I did not think about it seriously until the headmaster of a school for students with dyslexia called and asked me to take on the task. His school had a lengthy waiting list, and he could not take my referrals. That meant there would be students who would not get the program they needed; there were few options in the metropolitan area. And so the charge became a reality. The beautiful thing was that every parent I talked with wanted to help; everyone knew a school for students with dyslexia and similar learning differences was needed.
The wonderful part about taking this on is that I could determine what was important, what values I should incorporate, and how to create a climate where parents, teachers and students felt trusted. I chose the name “Summit” as a metaphor for each child reaching his peak.
But, one never accomplishes this type of venture alone; I had colleagues, parents, business men and women, and friends who helped from the smallest to the most important of tasks. There was a need; we were going to meet that need. We had hurdles but we were determined to succeed.
We set an opening date of August 1989, we met that goal, we met the enrollment goal for that year, and we eventually outgrew our original location. And now we are nestled on a beautiful pastoral property of 15 acres with a program that is strong, focused, child-centered, and diagnostic.
I invite you to read through our website, come for a visit, or call us. We have served more than 1,000 families through our day school, summer camp, and outreach tutorial and testing services.
Welcome to Summit, we are here to serve you.
Jane Snider, Ed.D.
Founding Executive Director
