Summit Charter School is a public, tuition-free K–12 school serving families across the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau and beyond.
Summit was in the first class of charter schools accredited in 1997, just after North Carolina approved charter legislation. Any child with NC state residence may apply for admission, and our student population currently draws from five surrounding counties. This broad reach creates a vibrant school community, reflective of our region’s diversity.
As a public charter school, Summit only receives 75 percent of the state funding per student compared to traditional public schools, and zero government funding for facilities. This means that our thriving 33-acre campus (buildings, athletic fields, green spaces, trails) is made possible through the extraordinary dedication of families, friends, and community supporters who believe in providing excellent educational opportunities right here on the mountain.
One of Summit’s unique differentiators is our culture in family partnership. Parents and guardians are deeply involved, not just as supporters and volunteers, but as daily partners in the school’s mission. Our mission is alive in everything we do: to engage students in learning experiences that stimulate discovery, inspire excellence, and nurture a positive influence in an ever-changing world.
Our curriculum, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, emphasizes place-based education, allowing students to extend learning beyond the traditional classroom through meaningful hands-on experiences in the outdoors and across the community.
Learning is rooted in both academics and a deep sense of place, and the result is a Summit graduate who is academically prepared, engaged in their community, and strong in character.
For local families, Summit represents a homegrown choice for a high-quality education in the heart of the Plateau. For seasonal residents or visitors, it’s a reminder that our community is not only a destination of natural beauty, but also one of educational excellence and opportunity.
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