As we celebrate 53 years of service, Summit School, Inc. remains committed to the vision of Empowering Children to Achieve Their Individual Potential. Whether the student is in the Summit School Early Learning Center or the Summit School Special Education Center, all efforts serve at-risk children and drive our mission to Provide Programs That Build A Solid Foundation For Educational And Lifelong Success.
Summit School's history started with a simple phone call. Jim Williams, a father of seven-year-old identical twins with learning disabilities, called Ruth Tofanelli, a respected Special Education teacher in the Elgin public schools. Jim encouraged Ruth to start a private school to help his sons and other children with similar problems.
Summit School began with eight students in 1968. As enrollment grew, the locations changed, but the passion for creating innovative programs and instructional methods to maximize the abilities of children with special needs never wavered. In 2003 Summit School, Inc. added the Early Learning Center to its program to broaden its ability to serve at-risk children. Today, both programs are located on the River Road campus in Elgin, Illinois.
Check out our historical timeline for details about our first 50 years. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SummitSchoolInc to keep up with our many activities and accomplishments in real-time.
Historical Timeline
Travel through the Last Five Decades with Summit School, Inc.
Summit in the News - Past Articles
Summit School for Children with a Learning Disability - December 11, 1972
A Very Special School for Very Special Children - October 1, 1974
Finding Focus at the Early Learning Center - March 28, 2005
Summit in the News - Current Articles
Elgin Preschool Expands Enrollment with Increased Funding - Jul 14, 2018
Obviously, We Could Do Better, State Releases New Data - August 19, 2018
Change Abounds at Summit School as President Retires, New Leaders Step In - July 12, 2019
Program Testimonials
Read what parents, teachers and current and former students have shared about Summit
Mayoral Proclamation
City of Elgin Mayor Kaptain Declares September 13, 2018 Summit School, Inc. Day
