Summers-Knoll School - Ann Arbor

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Mission statement: "Summers-Knoll School exists to enable bright, creative, and gifted children to realize their unique academic, social and emotional potential in a beautiful, loving setting."

Summers-Knoll distinguishes itself by its small class size (maximum of 14, 12 for Kindergarten) and focus on gifted education. It provides both regular education for K-8 students as well as challenging programs for area children during school-year holiday breaks and in the summer.

In December 2007, Summers-Knoll became Ann Arbor's first official 'green school', as certified by the State of Michigan. In addition to its work in the area of green education, Summers-Knoll is active in global learning and community service, striving to provide a challenging education to child who thrive on the specialized and personal attention possible in an independent school.

Co-founded by Ruth Knoll, former wife of Photoshop creator Thomas Knoll, the school was originally a major philanthropic project of the Knoll's non-profit Andrah Corporation. Today, it operates independently of financial support from the Knolls. It has embarked upon a path that includes significant growth and expansion, while remaining true to its principles and mission.

Guiding Principles

The emotional climate and physical environment of Summers-Knoll School are designed to provide an atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and beauty.
The school community nurtures the social, creative, intellectual, emotional and physical development of the student.
The school community provides an academically balanced program in a multi-age setting. The school challenges students at their individual ability level.
The school community encourages and highly values the input of parents.
Students learn to integrate their abilities, creativeness and task orientation.
Students learn from many sources, including teachers, parents, other students and community members. Learning is lifelong, and we, parents, faculty and children, are a community of learners.
Students are given instruction and strategies to learn the necessary basics while being encouraged to explore their own interests.
Summers-Knoll is committed to fostering a healthy physical environment and, to this end, will encourage practices that both educate the community and improve community health.