Summit Academy is an approved Massachusetts (DESE) public special education day school of the Amherst/Pelham Regional School District. Summit Academy provides students in grades 8 to 12 with comprehensive educational services in a therapeutic setting. Many of Summit Academy’s students have experienced academic, social-emotional, or behavioral challenges in a larger public school environment and are provided system-wide positive behavioral support practices (PBIS) and therapeutic support to grow socially, emotionally and academically.
Summit Academy employs a full-time licensed principal who also holds a special education administrator’s license, two licensed therapeutic clinicians, dual-certified special education teachers, an intervention specialist, instructional aides, and an administrative assistant to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school office.
Summit Academy offers its students a safe learning community that supports and cultivates students’ personal and educational growth. The curriculum employs innovative interdisciplinary teaching approaches within a small class ratio of 6:1 or less. Students experience direct teaching methods, individualized educational experiences that are student driven, flexibility in learning, supplemental online classes, outdoor educational programs, and extended school-year services.

Summit Academy employs two full-time clinicians who provide students with positive behavioral and therapeutic support to develop academic and personal resiliency, develop a strong vision and purpose for their future, and to identify areas of personal strength. Each student at Summit Academy has an individualized educational plan (IEP) and is assigned a team consisting of specially selected members who meets with the student and the student’s family (parents/guardians) to identify the student’s academic and emotional needs.
The staff at Summit Academy believe that all students want to be, and can be successful. They are committed to cultivating and maintaining a culturally responsive school environment where students can learn and embrace education with a growth mindset, and where every student “can explore their path to success.”