Middle School
The Middle School program provides a small, nurturing environment for students in 6th – 8th grades. With a similar profile of the students in our high school, our middle school students have social-emotional difficulties that have impacted their day-to-day functioning. Given their developmental level we provide additional layers of structure, supervision, and support to make sure their social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs are met.
Students in the middle school follow the RISE program, a variation of the high school’s WISE program. In RISE, students are expected to be Responsible, Involved, Safe, and Ever Respectful. With their points they are able to earn prizes, such as lunch with a favorite teacher or a homework free night.
While following the New York State Common Core Curriculum, our students receive instruction in classes with a student to staff ratio of 8:1:1. Emphasis is put on presenting materials in different ways to cater to the various learning styles of the class. Through project based learning and group work, students learn to work cooperatively to reach their academic potential.
The teaching staff of the middle school places a major emphasis on the concept of the growth mindset, in both how they approach teaching students and how they encourage students to think about their own learning. For students that have struggled in different school settings, it is imperative that they start seeing themselves as capable so they can persevere through the challenges that young adolescents face. A major goal of our middle school program is for students to have a more positive attitude towards learning.
We Believe in our Students
Special Education Teacher, Lisa Mingone, shares an inspirational story about one of her Middle School students and the success he experienced during his time at Summit School.
WATCH VIDEOSummit School provides a caring atmosphere with a deep commitment to the betterment of the students in our care. To create this atmosphere, we integrate:
Academic Services
The Summit School at Nyack operates under a charter from the New York State Board of Regents as a special education secondary school. We collaborate with school districts throughout New York State to provide special education services to emotionally fragile young adults.
Recreational Programming
Many students come to the Summit School at Nyack after long periods of unsuccessful school and social experiences. We believe that teaching students how to recreate in socially appropriate and productive ways is key to helping them gain confidence and independence. For that reason, we have created a dynamic and exciting recreational program designed for students to have fun and learn at the same time.
Intensive Individual Psychotherapy
The Summit School at Nyack’s New York State licensed clinical professionals offer the support and expertise required to guide students towards their strengths and potential. Clinical staff focus on individual work with students and maintain strong contact with the staff working with each student to provide a coordinated therapeutic effort.
Constructive Parent Communication
We partner with parents to learn more about what has and hasn’t worked for their child. We have supportive conversations with parents and the student about setting up behavioral expectations for home visits, and provide weekly updates to parents about their child’s functioning within the program.
Psychiatric Supervision
Our staff psychiatrist meets regularly with Summit’s residential students to investigate the appropriateness of psychopharmacological interventions and carefully monitor the student’s progression if medication is prescribed. Summit’s psychiatrist is an integral part of the students’ care as they provide ongoing support and knowledge to clinical staff and families.
Nutritional Counseling
A registered dietician is available for students to provide nutritional counseling and works with the Food Service Director to offer a variety of healthful eating choices – accommodating all alternative diets options that students may need.
Vocational Counseling
The Summit School at Nyack maintains an ongoing commitment to cultivating job readiness skills, providing effective transition planning, and supplying preparation for post-school employment for all of our students.
College Preparation
Summit students work with their families, clinical staff, teachers, and transition team to ascertain suitable colleges, vocational training programs, and/or supportive housing opportunities.
Transition Planning
We have developed both a hands on-job training program and classroom based coursework to teach necessary life skills. These practical experiences expose students to the skills required to search for, apply for, and maintain employment.