The whole personalized approach
that Summit’s using here is pretty amazing
because the student feels in control of
picking what they work on.
It’s a very empowering system that
the dialogue between the teacher and the student is
is really about “hey, how can I help you?”
You know and they can really focus attention
on kids who need it, and kids can go as fast as they feel equipped.
If they need to spend more time
on a particular thing, that the time is there.
Okay, so students first are absolutely incredible.
They own this place; they're like our founding students.
They really rise to the challenge.
I’m so excited for you guys to interact with them today
and to ask them how they interact with the PLP.
Once you figure it out,
you see what projects line up with which subjects,
and what you’re supposed to know for each project.
Every one of the students I talked to
has thought about what careers might be a fit for them.
They don’t have to pick exactly,
but in terms of realizing “boy, if I eventually want
to work in medicine or software,
the work I do today
is what enables me to have those opportunities.”
It all connects back, all the way to the
specific learning plan that they’re working on.
I think what this school gives to students who come here
from different backgrounds is a hope that they can
do what they want,
and I know it’s different for everybody, but
once you get here, you feel that you can succeed.
We learn from each other
and I think that’s what makes this school very different and very strong.
The kids are working together and they know what they’re doing.
Just the community here is quite amazing.
I met some incredible teachers and incredible students.
I strive to be my teacher’s.
I strive to be like the people in this school,
and I say that’s something you can’t explain with just words.
