Summit View School offers a college preparatory program to students with learning differences who possess average to above average intellectual capabilities. A commitment to maximizing each student’s potential forms the foundation of the school’s educational program. The educational program is designed to ensure student success, focusing on self-advocacy and skills they can use throughout their lives. Summit View, located on two state-of-the-art campuses in Valley Glen and Culver City, is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Based on each student’s learning profile, an individual instructional plan is designed to maximize his/her learning and incorporates participatory, interactive, hands-on multisensory instruction. The programs, courses of study and instructional methods encompass best practices which are based on current research, and are re-assessed on an ongoing basis. With small class sizes and teachers holding California credentials in the area of mild/moderate learning disabilities, Summit View strives to create self-reliant learners. Highly qualified staff provide interactive lessons using the latest in technology, hands-on activities, as well as the most up-to-date instructional materials.

From the elementary program that emphasizes the fundamental areas of reading, writing and mathematics through the upper grade curriculum that focuses on study skills and critical thinking, students are prepared for a successful transition to a post-secondary setting. Creativity, self-expression and an understanding and appreciation for our diverse society are promoted through electives such as drama, art, music, debate, law and global studies.

In addition, related services are offered in the areas of counseling, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, assistive technology and adaptive physical education.

At Summit View, students achieve success and graduate with the foundation necessary to thrive as young adults.
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Summit View High School follows a rigorous, standards-based curriculum that meets state and district guidelines and offers advanced courses such as Pre-calculus, Astronomy and Physics. An emphasis on cross-curricular activities between subject areas enhances student awareness of how concepts interconnect and relate to the world around them. Core classes meet the a-g course requirements for University of California and California State University admissions.

Based on research showing that students with learning disabilities require explicit instruction in learning how to learn, the middle school program, which consists of 7th and 8th grades, integrates study skills into lessons across subject areas. Students are taught organization, time-management, note-taking, test-preparation, research skills, and test-taking strategies to help them transition successfully to high school.

The elementary program utilizes specialized intervention programs to solidify and improve basic skills. Students receive direct, intensive instruction in the basic skills of reading, writing, mathematics and study skills. Teachers are trained in research-based multisensory instructional strategies such as The Wilson Reading System and Read Naturally to improve decoding and reading fluency skills. Learning comes alive through classroom and small group instruction in a stimulating and motivating environment. Students build math skills through a cumulative, sequential process starting at their level of competence. Students learn to perform everyday problem-solving tasks and to integrate math concepts and skills through real-life scenarios. In the core subject areas of science and social studies, the California State Framework and Content Standards are followed at each grade level, as students participate in engaging group projects and simulations, as well as hands-on experiments. Class size is limited to twelve students.

The Summit View academic program provides students with the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, prepared for post-secondary education and experience genuine success.

Reflecting Summit View’s philosophy and commitment to meeting the unique learning needs of its students, Summit View provides ample opportunities for students to get involved and participate in activities outside the academic curriculum. A strong co-curricular component augments and enriches the academic program through field trips, outdoor education, travel abroad, expert speakers, and science fairs. Students work together to create an environment that stimulates growth, develops leadership, and prepares them for college and beyond.

Community service is a vital part of the curriculum. Students participate in activities that contribute to the well-being of the diverse communities in and around Los Angeles. In addition, the student community arranges fund-raising efforts to support local charities and make contributions to help in national disasters.

Student Council provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills. The student body officers, together with class representatives and other school groups, work to foster school spirit and serve as a student voice for school-related issues and concerns. They organize a range of school-wide activities including spirit days, dances, holiday activities, and also run the Student Store.

A thriving visual and performing arts program nurtures students’ innate talents and targets the strengths of our student population, allowing them to exhibit their skills in music, art, graphic design, drama and music.

The Fine Arts curriculum is a critical component of the educational program. In the Art classes, students develop projects in two and three dimensional art media. Art appreciation and art production are linked as students research, develop and create around concepts that relate to the world around them. Instruction is provided in technique and the processing of materials into final artistic form. Students work with different media to create basic sculpture, murals, drawings and paintings. In addition, students have the opportunity to explore graphic art and design through a variety of different elective courses.

Every year, students have the opportunity to perform in a major theatrical production such as Oliver, Grease, Oklahoma, Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Working, and Bye, Bye Birdie. The High School Fine Arts classes meet the UC a-g requirements.

Music classes are designed to introduce students to the various elements of music through understanding and analyzing its artistic value, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic values and applications. Students learn to read, notate and perform music for keyboard or vocal scores. They also learn to sight read and use ear training and rhythm exercises to notate simple melodies and harmonies. Finally, students apply music across the curriculum to demonstrate their competency in understanding the role and relationship music has to other subjects and careers.

Finally Media Studies allows students to explore the inter-relationships between language and the visual and performing arts.

Summit View recognizes that participation in interscholastic athletics enriches the academic experience and fosters personal growth. Sports are viewed as logical extensions of the classroom and coaches as teachers on the fields and courts. Dedicated coaches are skilled and trained to not only teach sports-related fundamentals but to cultivate values that reflect the school’s philosophy. A sense of teamwork, dedication and commitment, self-confidence, and sportsmanship are all built into the athletic program. Elementary and Middle School teams participate in leagues with other small private schools, making the playoffs in basketball and taking home the championship trophy in flag-football.

The High School athletes are members of the Omega or Mulholland Leagues under the California Interscholastic Federation. Interscholastic athletic teams include boys and girls basketball, co-ed soccer, co-ed golf, softball, baseball, girls volleyball and co-ed cross-country. We have sent many runners to the Mt. Sac Pre-lims, which is the equivalent to cross-country playoffs, traveled to Bishop for soccer playoffs and enjoyed the ride to Palm Desert for basketball playoffs. Baseball and softball has also done well in the post-season making repeat trips.

Integration of technology is an essential element of the academic program. The use of technology assists students in discovering ways to compensate for learning deficits and better access the curriculum, as well as prepare them for life in a technologically rich society. Cutting-edge technology includes iPads, interactive whiteboards, portable work stations, word processing keyboards, text-to-speech and concept-mapping software.

SmartBoards

SMART Boards or interactive whiteboards in the class rooms provide teachers and students with an interactive learning environment to share ideas, information, images, animations, audio or video. The SMART Board supports several different learning styles – visual-spatial, auditory and kinesthic. Teachers can automatically save, print and email to students. The use of SMART Boards allows Summit View students to participate in educational multimedia activities.

iPads

Summit View teachers and students have integrated iPads into daily lessons to enhance interactive teaching and learning. By linking iPads with websites like Edmodo and Socrative, students can quickly access materials, positively increase their classroom participation and immediately receive feedback on their progress. Students learn new organizational strategies through the use of Dropbox which allows them to use “cloud” storage to access and store class notes and materials. Apps allow deeper understanding of the material as students can move beyond the text to investigate areas of interests. iPads have also been influential in assisting students with revision and editing of essays, increasing reading fluency and comprehension and alternative assessment through student-led creative projects. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in numerous different types of activities including exploring 3-D models, participating in virtual dissections, simulating experiments, tracking current weather patterns and recreating historical events. The iPad inspires creativity and hands-on learning, lets students engage with content in interactive ways and find information in an instant.

College Counseling is an integral part of the Summit View Program. College Advisors at both campuses support and empower students and parents in researching options and planning the road to college. With the tools and strategies learned throughout their Summit View education, graduates move on to college with the confidence and skills necessary to move forward in their formal education. Workshops are offered on writing college essays, interviewing techniques and other aspects of the college application process.

Beginning in 8th grade with a transition meeting, Summit View students and their families meet with the College Counselor to learn about college options, testing needed for admission, requirements to get in to specific schools and overall information. Seniors visit college campuses during the first semester of senior year, and Junior and Senior classes have colleges come to visit Summit View. The College Counselor meets individually with Junior and Senior parents to create a list of appropriate schools. Summit View students have earned admission to colleges and universities throughout the country, such as University of Arizona, University of Oregon, University of California at Irvine and Berkeley, as well as many California State Universities and private colleges such as University of Redlands, Whittier College and Marymount College with an acceptance rate of 97 percent.

Summit View also holds a College Fair designed for students with disabilities so that Summit View students, along with students in the local community, can see what is available for college-bound students with disabilities.

Carol Cao
Director of Curriculum and Support Services

Summit View, Valley

Megan Davis
Principal, Elem. & Grades 7-8

Zaldy Ramirez
Principal, Grades 9-12

Cindy Sordo
Clinical Director

Summit View West

Trudy Barker
Principal

Sheila Zaft
Principal

Pat Sandler
Clinical Director

Thank you for your interest in Summit View School. Please click the button below to begin the application process. Be sure to submit any supporting documents (if you have them). Once completed, an admissions associate will be in touch within three business days.

Questions? Please contact our admissions office at 877.943.5747 or admissions@thehelpgroup.org.

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Thank you for your interest in the Summit View School. We encourage you to attend our Open Houses. For dates and times and to RSVP, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@thehelpgroup.org or 877-943-5747.

Summit View Valley

Valley Glen Campus

6455 Coldwater Canyon Ave.
Valley Glen, CA 91606
818.623.6300

Summit View West

Culver City Campus

12101 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310.397.4417

COVID-19 Safety Plan For In-Person Instruction

SUMMIT VIEW

Reopening Protocols