Summit Academy provides a therapeutic alternative learning environment for students K-12 with high-functioning autism and related diagnoses. At the time of referral, students may be performing at or near grade level in academics, but require significant modifications and accommodations in order to access grade level learning standards. Evaluations of our students typically recommend that they learn in a small group environment, that they receive support for executive functioning and be presented with multiple opportunities to access information, often across several modalities. Often, our students require that information and tasks be presented in small, manageable chunks and in shorter, more frequent intervals of time. Most of our students participate in traditional state assessments with accommodations.

At Summit Academy, the majority of our current students demonstrate needs in the areas of social pragmatics, perspective taking, problem solving, and self-regulation. Occasionally, our students present with disruptive or maladaptive behaviors including non-compliance, verbal outburst, mild to moderate property destruction, or mild to moderate physical aggression. The staff here at Summit Academy is trained in evidence-based positive management techniques, specifically, Applied Behavior Analysis. Most of our students require direct counseling services from licensed clinicians to address their mild to moderate areas of emotional need.