As a school fully accredited with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), Summit is thrilled to have our students participate in the ACSI Student Learning Programs. Learning is most impactful when connected to real-world issues, meaningful experiences, and a biblical worldview. The ACSI programs, designed to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and inspire students to make a difference in their communities, go beyond the traditional classroom. They offer transformative experiences that connect learning with a biblical worldview by allowing students to compete against others within their own school and across the globe. ACSI Student Learning Programs offer challenges in many different academic areas, including entrepreneurship, mathematics, STEM, Fine Arts, and Speech. In years past, Summit students also participated in writing competitions, but due to structuring changes, ACSI is not offering that competition this year.
The International Math Competition will begin with a test for all third through eighth grade students. The top two students in each grade will go through to compete. These students will begin training once or twice a week starting in October. They will then compete in House, District, National and even International competitions. These competitions are comprised of a combination of timed tests given in a series of rounds in a digital format. The two primary areas of competition include Arithmetic Computation, working on fundamental operations and Mathematical Reasoning, involving multiple operations and concepts that require a high level of reasoning. Each student competes against other students in his or her grade and category across the globe, with the highest percentage of correct answers advancing to the next round, culminating in international winners for grades 3-8 in Arithmetic Computation and Mathematical Reasoning. This competition will take place in the spring and will be conducted in testing windows beginning in February through early May.
The Speech and Rhetoric Program is set up as an in-house competition for first through fifth grades. This program gives students the opportunity to learn the art of speech and rhetoric through embedding learning within a meaningful, real-world context. It is founded on biblical worldview principles and facilitates collaborative learning within the Summit community. Objectively, students are encouraged to give effective presentations in an audience situation. The program also assists students in developing techniques to speak audibly, articulately, expressively, and with poise and confidence. Ultimately, the goal is to enable our students to develop the communication skills that will contribute to effective leadership in Christian activities. The Speech Meet will consist of one event that will take place on campus. First, students are given the opportunity to choose a topic or speech within a specific category. Students in first and second grades will have the choice of performing Poetry or Bible Memorization. In third and fourth grades, students will have the additional option of Fable and Folklore. Fifth grade students will also have the options of Poetry or Bible Memorization, with the third choice of a Patriotic Oration. Once students have the opportunity to memorize their works, they will then present to their class and judges. Each grade level is assigned two to three volunteer judges per class. Each speech is scored based upon specific ACSI guidelines. Ribbons are given for First through Third Places in each category, with First Place winners announced at a special awards chapel. The In-House Speech Meet is not a parent event and will take place in the spring during the school day.
The final program is the International Christian STEM Competition (ICSC) for students in grades 7-12. This program is designed to showcase the incredible potential of students from Christian schools in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). With a unique blend of academic rigor and faith-based values, this competition aims to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while reinforcing the integration of faith and scientific exploration. Students will choose from five different challenges, think innovatively, engage in problem-solving, and develop solutions and creations that align with biblical values and ethics. The ICSC consists of a combination of individual and team-based challenges. Students are encouraged to work collaboratively, leveraging each other’s strengths and talents while embracing the values of respect, empathy, and teamwork. An established set of challenge criteria and checkpoints will be in place to ensure students are ready to advance to this level of competition. These criteria and checkpoints are necessary, as students will be able to compete on an international level, both virtually and in-person. This competition will be held in April 2025.
There will be an in-house art competition this year, similar to the one held last year. Details will be announced during the spring semester.
Regardless of the subject, we are confident that our students will find an area in which they can hone, pursue and display their God-given talents and interests!