FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
Contact: Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com or 206-702-5790
Puget Sound, Wash. — Summit Atlas, a middle and high school that launched in 2017, is celebrating its first cohort of graduates with an in-person ceremony on June 10. Summit Public Schools’ two other charter high schools in the state—Summit Olympus in Tacoma and Summit Sierra in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District—will celebrate their third cohort of high school graduates with virtual ceremonies and celebratory diploma pick-ups.
After making history as the first charter public high school students in West Seattle and and navigating successful transitions between virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning, graduating seniors at Summit Atlas will again make history as they receive their high school diplomas at an in-person ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 10.
“We could not be prouder of our first senior class for their resilience and accomplishments in the face of many unforeseen challenges. As a founding class, this group of young people is uniquely responsible for shaping an outstanding school and leaving a legacy of community and collaboration,” says Summit Atlas Executive Director Dan Effland. “We wish our graduates continued success and joy in their next steps and can’t wait to see the ways they influence our community and society in the years ahead.”
The inaugural graduating class at Summit Atlas is proudly graduating 33 seniors. So far, 91% of graduates have been accepted to 40 different colleges and universities, including Washington State University, Whitman College, Smith College, and two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—North Carolina A&T State University and Oakwood University.
Graduating seniors at two other Puget Sound charter public schools, Summit Sierra in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District and Summit Olympus in Tacoma, will hold virtual graduation celebrations on June 11.
Across all three of Summit Public Schools’ Washington charter schools, 96% of seniors in the Class of 2021 applied to a four-year college or university. To date, 93% of Class of 2021 Summit WA graduates have been accepted to college. Altogether, Summit’s Washington graduates have been accepted to 122 colleges and universities including every public university in Washington, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins, Barnard College, Smith College, Whitman College, Whitworth College, and Spelman College.
“This cohort of seniors has overcome many challenges, including nearly two years of high school being impacted by the pandemic,” said WA Charters President Patrick D’Amelio. “With the unrelenting support of talented and committed teachers and flexible, responsive school models, these new graduates are leaving high school prepared to achieve great things in whichever postsecondary pathway they choose.”
Along with these Puget Sound area charter high school graduates, charter public school in Spokane at PRIDE Schools’ Innovation High school and Lumen High School will also celebrate this important milestone. Charter public schools are tuition-free, public schools that are open to all students. Washington’s oldest charter schools are completing their sixth year serving students. In the 2020-21 school year, 3,600 students attended 12 charter public schools statewide.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
IN-PERSON GRADUATION CEREMONY (SUMMIT ATLAS)
When: Thursday, June 10, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Jerry Brockey Student Center at South Seattle Community College: 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
What: The first-ever graduation class of Summit Atlas, a public charter middle and high school in West Seattle; In-person graduation ceremony from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. followed by an hour of mingling. Graduates, teachers, and leaders available for interviews upon request.
RSVP to Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com or 206-702-5790
IN-PERSON CAP & GOWN DIPLOMA PICK-UP (SUMMIT OLYMPUS)
When: Friday, June 11, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Summit Olympus, 409 Puyallup Ave, Tacoma, WA 98421What: Photo op of students arriving in cap and gown and receiving their diplomas in a COVID-safe “diploma pick-up”. Interviews may be available upon request.
RSVP to Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com or 206-702-5790
IN-PERSON CAP & GOWN DIPLOMA PICK-UP (SUMMIT SIERRA)
When: Friday, June 11, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Summit Sierra, 1025 S King St., Seattle, WA 98104
What: Photo op of students arriving in cap and gown and receiving their diplomas in a COVID-safe “diploma pick-up”. Interviews may be available upon request.
RSVP to Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com or 206-702-5790
MEDIA AVAILABILITY – PHONE OR VIDEO INTERVIEWS
(TACOMA, SEATTLE, WEST SEATTLE)
When: Flexible, based on student and school availability.
What: Talk to graduates from Washington’s three charter public high schools about their experiences in high school, and their post-secondary plans. Talk to educators about helping students reach graduation during the COVID-19 crisis.
Contact: Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.wpenginepowered.com or 206-702-5790
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