Summit Public Schools announces enrollment deadlines, events for new Seattle, Tacoma charter schools

Seattle and Tacoma area families should apply now to ensure their spots as founding families in two of the Puget Sound region’s newest public charter schools: Summit Sierra in South Seattle and Summit Olympus in Tacoma.

There are already 285 applications across Seattle and Tacoma for 210 total seats in the high quality public schools, which are open to all students at no cost, said Jen Wickens, Chief Regional Officer for Summit Public Schools. 

"This is a historic moment for our state, as these exceptional families will help build a new high school experience in the Puget Sound region based on Summit’s proven model that prepares all students for four-year college success,” Wickens said. “It is truly an honor to work with such a diverse and powerful group of families to open two of the state's first public charter schools.”

Already, 130 families have applied to the Summit Public School: Sierra (Summit Sierra), located in the Chinatown International District at 1025 S. King Street, Seattle. Summit Sierra will open its doors this fall to 105 9th graders and will grow to serve grades 9-12 by the 2018-19 school year.  

In Tacoma, there are 155 families who have already applied to attend Summit Public School: Olympus (Summit Olympus), located at 409 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma. Summit Olympus will open this fall with 105 9th graders, growing one grade per year to a full high school by the 2018-19 school year.

Families will learn if they are accepted into the schools on March 21, when Summit holds a random, public lottery, as required by charter law. Families have until April 11 to complete their enrollment paperwork to ensure their spot. Both schools are completely free, public charter schools, without entrance requirements or exams.

"Summit Sierra has been nothing but welcoming and supportive,” said Star Roberts, who applied for her son to attend Sierra. “They clearly seem to want to know who our son is and how best to support his success in high school. We couldn’t be more excited about being part of a new high school experience that embraces a diverse student population and encourages everyone to reach for their best selves."

To apply, visit the Summit Public Schools website at www.summitps.org/apply

"We are thrilled by the fact that so many families across the Puget Sound region are eager to enroll their children in our schools,” Wickens said.

Summit is committed to providing each and every student with the education best suited to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for success in college, regardless of their previous preparation and background. In addition to Summit Sierra and Olympus, Summit is considering opening a third Puget Sound area public school in West Seattle in the 2016-17 school year.

Key upcoming dates for Summit Public Schools:

March 17 – West Seattle Information Session from 6:15-7:15 p.m. at White Center Public Library, 11220 16th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, for families interested in learning about Summit’s third proposed charter school, expected to open in 2016
March 21 –Acceptances via the lottery announced to familie
March 27 - Summit Olympus Founding Families Celebration, 5:30 p.m. at Portland Avenue Community Center, 3513 E. Portland Avenue, Tacoma, 98404
April 2 - Summit Sierra Founding Families Celebration, 5:30 p.m. at Nagomi Tea House, 519 Sixth Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104
April 14 - West Seattle Information Session, 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. at Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library, 9010 35th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126
April 30th - Summit Olympus Founding Families Celebration, 5:30 p.m. at Freighthouse Square, 2501 E D St, Tacoma, 98421

For more information contact Summit Washington Chief Regional Officer, Jen Wickens, at 206-747-0599.

About Summit Public Schools

Summit Public Schools is a leading charter management organization serving diverse communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington State. Summit operates nine schools enrolling approximately 2,000 students.  Its mission is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to not only attend, but succeed in, a four-year college or university. Summit’s schools consistently rank among the best in California and the nation. To date, 96 percent of Summit students have been accepted to one or more four-year colleges, and its graduates are completing college at double the national average. For more information, visit www.summitps.org.