What is Summit Learning at Burchell High School?
Summit Learning (SL) is a 21st Century learning approach to high school. Students access curriculum for core classes through an online platform, guided by an in-person instructor. SL focuses on developing cognitive skills rather than on rote content memorization. We teach students how to learn, over what to learn. With these skills developed, our students walk out with the ability to apply these skills to all situations in life-long learning. Times have changed... it is time that education did as well.
Important things to understand about BHS and Summit Learning: Students must obtain at least a "C" grade in core classes for a passing grade. Anything lower will be given an "I" until the grade is brought up to passing. Students will have to unlearn a lot of things developed in past educational experiences. We do not work for a grade here, we work for innovation, we work for meaningful skills and collaboration, and we work for eachother. Summit is a project based curriculum which includes media presentations students develop and share out with their class, research projects, and hands on creations. We strive to allow for creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.
By applying for BHS, you accept the mindset we have in place here. We work for growth, not everything we work on is graded but required, and we accept the uniqueness of one another as human beings and agree to be kind even when we disagree. You also accept the fact that participation is required. There is no opting out of classroom activities. Part of what we do is try and individualize work for students as needed, but not doing work... is unacceptable. By applying for BHS you accept that we are a choice school, and given that choice is a privalage requiring you to adapt your practices and mindset for success. Students that consistently disregard the systems in place here will be referred back to their boundary school.