As someone who enjoyed the large community of a traditional high school, Ella wasn’t sure the smaller class sizes at Summit Atlas Charter High School (Summit Atlas) would be a good fit for her. She’s come to value the welcoming culture at Summit Atlas and how it pushed her in ways she didn’t anticipate. It also turns out the change of scenery was an unexpected benefit: “There’s lots of bright colors here,” she said in her senior spotlight interview. “It was all gray before. But at Summit, it’s a ray of sunshine when you walk in.”
A Fresh Start
At Ella’s previous high school she built a community of friends that felt familiar, but she found that, “by the end of sophomore year, my mom and I noticed that I wasn’t motivated or happy.” As a normally enthusiastic and driven person, this was out of character. When her mom identified Summit Atlas as an option for Ella’s younger brother, she suggested that Ella consider it too. “I was on-edge at first – I really loved my school and the community I was in,” she said. “But I wanted to find a new start.”
After starting at Summit Atlas during her junior year, Ella’s worries about reclaiming a feeling of belonging at school quickly evaporated. “It’s really homey here. The teachers are always greeting us when we get there.” The smaller class sizes helped Ella connect and allowed her to focus on learning: “I really like how close-knit the teachers are to students and how the teachers are to each other. It’s built a calming and safe environment for me.”
Growing and Learning
What Ella appreciates most about Summit Atlas is how much her teachers have helped her grow as a person, not just as a student. “The teachers help us become the best version of ourselves,” she explained. Before she transferred there, she was always worried about who to impress among her friends. “But now I’ve gotten to know myself better. I’ve learned to enjoy my presence. I understand my feelings, my boundaries, my morals, and my values.” Ella didn’t expect that kind of personal growth from high school, but she’s glad for it. “Although I’ve gotten a little quieter, I’m more independent,” she explained. “It’s better than it was at my old school. They’ve helped me find myself.”
Finding Her Path
Ella has always been interested in medicine and the biology of disease transmission has especially fascinated her. As she considered her career path, one of the most exciting aspects of attending Summit Atlas was the possibility of Expeditions Experiences in the healthcare field. “My Mom learned about the Expeditions [program] and the possibility of getting to visit a hospital setting so I could learn what it was like.” Expeditions Experiences, a core feature of Summit Public Schools, are two-week breaks occurring three times over the course of the school year when students learn about career opportunities through hands-on experience. “My friends at other schools all told me that they wished they had Expeditions,” Ella said. “At Summit, they really move students to the next steps for college and beyond. They’re able to help you choose what works for you.” Having successfully completed the Junior Health Scholars program at Providence-Swedish Hospital through the Expeditions program, Ella now plans to attend the University of Washington – Seattle (UW) next year, major in microbiology, and become a pediatric physician’s assistant.
Another one of Summit Atlas’ core programs is their mentorship model. Students are paired with a teacher or staff member for ongoing mentorship and support. Ella’s mentor was a major influence on her ability to see herself at the UW. “My mentor told me about her experience at UW during our weekly check-ins. I had never had those before, but I enjoyed that difference from other schools.”
Advice for Freshman
For students starting at Summit Atlas next year, Ella advises that they go easy on themselves. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to know what you want to do right after high school,” she said. For her, her mentor relationship made all the difference, and she hopes that incoming students will recognize the benefits: “Depend on your mentors and your time with them,” she advises. Finally, she encourages students to take a chance and branch out while they’re in high school: “Try something in the expedition program that looks cool or impressive. You really never know.”
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Congratulations, Ella, on reaching this important milestone! As your teachers already observed, you truly embody the Summit school value of responsibility and demonstrate deep commitment to learning, self-reflection, and community engagement. We wish you all the best on your next adventure.