Journal

In the midst of this crazy year, many parts of “real” life have had to shift online. It is incredible that technology has advanced so much that not even a global pandemic can stop the world in its tracks! While this year has highlighted the many wonderful things technology brings to the table, it has also revealed negative aspects of spending increasing amounts of time using technology. We’ve seen that most adults have trouble staying off of social media, video games, etc. If adults cannot help becoming addicted to technology, how much harder is it for children who might not yet know how to control their actions!

While technology is a very useful tool, it can be dangerous for the development of children academically, socially, and spiritually. There are only two main industries that call their customers “users”: the illegal drug industry and the technology industry. This label (“users”) is definitely not an accident. The internet and technology as a whole are very easy to become addicted to. When anything completely takes over a person’s life, like technology often does, the results can be very detrimental to their well-being, especially if that person is a child. Hundreds, if not thousands, of peer reviewed research articles comment on the negative effects of children using technology in their formative years to adulthood (0-18). Children are the most easily susceptible to becoming addicted to technology and can be sucked in by its luster and charms. With its constant bombardment of notifications and achievements, the use of technology actually encourages and enables attention deficits and hyperactivity in these children. It has been proven that if children consistently use technology in their formative years, their attention span will decrease, their creative abilities will be limited, and their social awareness will be inhibited.

Those who have impairments such as ADHD are at a much higher risk of becoming addicted to technology. The heavy use of technology, which is “only” a few hours a day, has been strongly correlated with heightened levels of depression (75% of people studied), anxiety (57%), symptoms of ADHD (100%), obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (60%), and increased hostility and aggression (66%). Additionally, when a child suffers from any one of these ailments, the heavy use of technology can dramatically increase its severity. If a child has ADHD, the vibration of a phone or watch can become an additional distraction from their work. Children who use technology are having their brains trained to get notifications regularly, change what they are doing rapidly, and not be able to focus for nearly as long. Heavy use of technology has already had dramatic effects on people’s ability to focus: the average human attention span has actually gone below the attention span of a goldfish in the past ten years.

However, there is good news! The brain is malleable, so it can be reprogrammed and adjusted. One of the very best things that a child can do for their verbal skills, manipulative skills, judgment and reasoning, and their creative, social, and problem-solving intelligences is play. True free play, where children are creating their own rules and story lines, expands their brain in a much more positive way than technology does. Creating something, painting, drawing, building, doing puzzles, reading a book, playing a board or card game, and other fun activities can help children learn how to properly behave, increase their attention span, and benefit their mental health.

While technology does not (and frankly cannot) be completely removed from children’s lives, there should be limitations to its use. The simple act of reducing a child’s screen time to one hour a day is likely to drastically change his or her behavior and mindset. At first, this change might have side effects like a real drug withdrawal: millions of people just in the United States are addicted to technology. Stay strong, though, as children should be given every possible tool to become successful. Success is not only defined by what they can do but by the process they utilize to get to their end goal. Working together to limit technology will help our children’s minds become sharper, equipping them to improvise, adapt, and overcome anything life throws their way. 

Train up a child in the way they should go,
[a]And when they are old they will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Written by: Addison Fraser

We are excited. We are humbled. Above all, we are GRATEFUL. 

Thank you for your support!

See what our parents are saying about Summit Classical Academy. We are helping children reach their summits and partnering with parents in the education of their children.

Our mission is: We will build community and serve our community by partnering with parents in the education of their children, striving to develop all aspects of the student’s potential. We will provide a classical Christian education, a peaceful and inspiring environment, and a high standard of expectations for our students, teachers, and leaders, all for the glory of God.

Here at Summit Classical Academy we know that each child has different strengths and unique characteristics that make them special! The Classical methodology teaches children how to think, and not what to think. They gain the tools to reach their own Summit, in Christ, based on their personal gifts!

Please enjoy our students telling you about their summits!

No one says it better or cuter than our students! Please consider contributing to our mission of community in Christ while providing a top notch classical education. We hope you enjoy watching this video as much as we enjoyed making it!

What does a Warrior Ambassador do?

Warrior Ambassadors help us get the word out about Summit! We want to make this as fun and easy as possible for you and your network. From November 6th – 20th we will be hosting special chapel celebrations, featuring amazing videos of our children and parents, and releasing wonderful stories and informational pieces about what makes Summit special. Here is what we ask you to do:

Scroll to the bottom of our website and join our community!

Follow this LINK to find out more!

If you have any other ideas about ways that you and the rest of our community can act as Warrior Ambassadors, please email our Board at [email protected]. Thank you for coming alongside us in this endeavor!

The goal of Christian and classical education is to equip students to evaluate knowledge in the light of Scripture, achieve academic excellence, to be thoughtful, and glorify God. Classical Christian education develops in the student a desire to know God more and to share the love of God with others, not only in word but also in action. Students develop a passion for seeking wisdom and knowledge, and have an intellectual foundation built on the tools of learning and utilize them in all walks of life. Skills are developed that promote students to courageously engage the culture to proclaim and express the love, grace and mercy of Jesus to a world that is broken. Discernment guides students as they look at the worldview of the surrounding culture and assess what lines up with Scripture, and are able to clearly see the deceptions that do not. They are able to carefully consider an idea without blindly accepting it. Using knowledge, reason, and discernment, they are careful to ponder ideas in light of God’s Word before accepting it as true. In this classical model, Christ is central in all aspects and the purpose of acquiring knowledge is to grow in wisdom and virtue.

Hello! My name is Cindy Houghton, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Summit Classical Academy. I have lived in Colorado for 26 years, but I grew up in Texas. I have been married to my college sweetheart, Richard, for 29 years, and we are blessed with four amazing children. We have entered the empty nesters phase of life, but enjoy having our children close by. Three live in Colorado, and one lives in Arizona. We also have a fur baby, Harley, who we spoil daily. 

I studied at the University of New Mexico where I received my bachelor and master’s degrees in Elementary Education. Throughout my teaching career, I have worked in public and private schools, but my heart and passion fit with classical Christian education. It is my happy place. At Summit Classical Academy, we teach from a distinctly Christian worldview as faithful worshippers of the God who is at the center of every aspect of our lives. Children should be taught that there is no separation from God in any area of life. Deuteronomy 11: 18-20 reminds us to fix God’s Word in our hearts and minds and to talk of it with our children throughout the day. God is intertwined in all of work, school, home and play. 

As a Christian educator, I can help students see that knowledge apart from scriptures is imperfect.  I believe it is imperative to be a teacher who instructs with excellence; after all, we serve an excellent Creator. I trust that the parents of my students have given me permission to come alongside them in their role as their children’s primary educators. It is my goal to stimulate both a love of learning and good habit formation necessary for a student’s independent study. 

Since God is the author of love, He gives me love for my students and a desire to be the best teacher I can be. The true goal of education is to love God in everything and in all ways. My deep desire is to elevate God in my classroom and to demonstrate how to love Him with heart, mind, body and strength.

Our brief history – By: Mrs. Fraser

Beginnings are amazing things full of hope, promise, and possibilities.  As a few families embarked on a new journey to start a classical Christian school that would benefit families and communities as well as students as they pursued God’s truth, goodness, and beauty, no one knew quite what to expect.  All they knew is that God called them to start a school and they were following Him with faithful obedience.  The idea was sparked in November 2019 which ignited a passion that became a reality in August 2020 when Summit Classical Academy opened its doors. 

Here we are in October, at the end of the first quarter, and what God has created is nothing short of miraculous.  Without having a church or an organization backing the effort to educate students, Summit Classical Academy burst into existence. The school began with 21 full-time students and 7 homeschool students.  At the end of the first quarter we have 24 full-time students and 10 homeschool students with additional families calling with inquiries every week.  Thanks to generous donations we have been able to assemble a staff larger than anticipated for the starting size of the school.  We have three highly qualified full-time teachers, three part-time teachers that are masters in their areas of expertise, we have consultants to lend their knowledge and skills to our families, and a highly resourceful administrative assistant that is keeping operations running smoothly.  We are also blessed with highly proficient regular volunteers that enhance the learning experience for our young warriors.

Not only do we have an amazing faculty and staff, but our families are lending their resources, time, gifts, and support to strengthen our community even more.  God is building a strong community of parents.  Summit Classical Academy invites parents to be active participants in the education of their children and provides a variety of ways for building relationships and community.  This is done through our celebrations, being a part of our monthly board meetings, and inviting parents to share their resources and talents.  Let’s reflect back to see how this has happened so far this year. 

Coming together as a Community

Before the school year began, we had a family picnic on the beautiful land of one of our consultants’ families.  It was a great prequel to the community events to come. No one knew quite what to expect as this was the first get together for our school.  We had other events planned, but due to COVID the earlier summer activities were cancelled.  The board was determined that we would get together in person, because they understand the importance of relationships.  While we kept socially distanced, had gallons of sanitizer, and enjoyed individual personal picnics to ensure the health of everyone in attendance, close bonds were being formed. 

We began the year with an Opening Day Ceremony where all of the students and their families were present.  It was a joyful time of welcoming students not only to a new school year, but a new school.  As each student’s name was announced, they walked down a red carpet that had two large balloon arches overhead.  The leadership from Risen Savior Lutheran Church presented our school with our very own Christian flag, and then blessed and prayed for the school year.  We ended the ceremony with our beloved Summit Classical Academy Warriors’ Creed…and the school year began.

Soon after school began, we had a very memorable Family Dinner on the school grounds.  It poured down rain and we huddled under canopies and still enjoyed the Kona Ice Truck, even though we were shivering.  At the end, a beautiful rainbow filled the sky reminding us of God’s beauty and God’s promises.  The Fall Festival in October brought with it much better weather and everyone had a wonderful time playing games, decorating pumpkins, getting new swag during our giveaways, getting faces painted…well, arms painted…We are still in the season of COVID after all.  For November, we are looking forward to our community coming together to honor our country’s military for Veterans Day.  There is a reason to come together as a community every month.  Actually, most of our families hang out together every day at drop off and/or dismissal.  It is wonderful to have a group of people that share the same hopes and dreams for raising strong men and women that are running after God’s plan for their lives. 

Another way parents are invited to be an integral part of Summit Classical Academy is to be a part of our monthly board meetings.  Board meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month and parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend.  Taking part in these meetings gives parents insight into the inner workings of what it takes to provide an excellent education for the students.  We want to demonstrate integrity by being as transparent as possible with how the school operates.  In addition, we want to hear from the parents whom God has brought to this school.  It only makes our school stronger to utilize all of the wisdom and talents of our community.  We are a team!

Learning in the time of COVID

Let’s take a moment to discuss the health of our Warriors.  While wearing masks and keeping distance can be a little annoying, we are Warriors, we can follow the COVID guidelines, and we can handle it!  The students, staff, and families have done an outstanding job of remaining healthy.  Our morning temperature checks have become one of my favorite times of the day as it allows me the opportunity to greet each child.  Frequently washing hands and cleaning the areas we utilize are reminders of how we should take great care of what God has given us as good stewards of His good gifts. Families are being very courteous to all at school by keeping their students at home when they are not feeling well and waiting for at least 48 hours before returning to school to ensure that as far as it depends on them, no sickness is spread. With all of these precautions and by the grace of God, I am happy to report that thus far we are COVID free and praying it stays that way. 

Enrollment is around the corner!

With all of this good news to report, I can imagine that many of you can think of families that would thrive at Summit Classical Academy, perhaps even you! Enrollment for the 21-22 school year begins December 1, 2020.   Interested families can find more information on our website.  For an up close and personal look at our school (well, at a six foot distance), please schedule a tour.  We have board members and staff that would love to show you the exceptional learning taking place, the character that is being forged, and the joy being experienced.  Call 720.633.9300 to speak with our friendly, knowledgeable staff to get your questions answered and schedule your tour today.  With all the benefits that Summit Classical Academy offers, why wait? If you are interested in exploring enrollment for the current school year, please contact us and we will set up a time for a tour and answer any of your questions about joining mid-year. 

Is the mission of Summit Classical Academy something that resonates within you?  If so, please join us in training warrior families to make a positive difference in their communities.  The world needs more compassionate, educated, and wise followers of Jesus, not only to bring more people into the Kingdom, but to also make the world a better place because they are in it and following the King.  Please consider giving to our school to strengthen our efforts as we continue to be a light that shines in the darkness for the love of God and the good of others.  Please spread the word about the impact our school is having in only a few short months and be part of the growing movement to classically educate the next generation in Christ, through Christ, and for Christ all for the glory of God. We are bellatores Dei!