Support The Summit Preparatory School

"I love supporting The Summit because I am passionate about giving back. I enjoy volunteering and helping people in need. With that being said, since my daughter is a new early learner, I want her to have the tools to succeed at The Summit. I also want all of her classmates and fellow students at the school to succeed." ~ Summit Parent

As a non-profit independent school, The Summit truly operates independently. We are not supported by state or federal tax dollars, educational, or religious affiliates. Each year, our school relies on donor contributions to our annual Raven Fund to provide critical support to our operating budget.

Your gift helps us sustain the unique approach to education that can only be found at The Summit. These gifts have an immediate and direct benefit to each student and faculty member, as well as to the quality and range of all school programs.

We count on the philanthropic support from our community, including parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to give a meaningful, heartfelt donation to The Raven Fund each year. No matter the size of the gift, your contribution is important.

Whether it's $10 or $1,000, your donation becomes a part of many other donations. Before you know it, you've helped us met our $50,000 goal! Last year 65% of donations to The Raven Fund were $100 or less!

The Impact of Giving

The Raven Fund is the core of The Summit's fundraising efforts and makes up the difference between what tuition covers and the cost of running the school.

Your gift will help us provide an exceptional education for our students today. Through this support, The Summit is able to:

• Attract and retain the most talented faculty.
• Provide optimum resources to support best practices in student learning.
• Maintain an attractive, welcoming, and safe learning environment.
• Enhance art, music, physical education, yoga, Spanish language, STEM, outdoor education, and athletic programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we have The Raven Fund?

The Raven Fund makes up the difference in what tuition covers and the actual costs of operating The Summit.

This fund allows The Summit to maintain small classes providing a more individual and personal approach to each student. Like other nonprofits and private schools, The Summit supplements costs through The Raven Fund. These donations are tax-deductible donations, unlike tuition. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) recommends that 26% of an independent school’s budget should be fundraising revenue.

Where does the money go?

The money donated to The Raven Fund is used within the current fiscal year and supports teacher salaries and benefits, educational equipment and technology, continuing education for staff, and keeping the lights on.

• $50 would cover the cost of medical supplies at the front desk for one month.
• $100 would cover the cost of sending the Raven Report for one month.
• $500 would cover the cost of copying and printing for one month.
• $750 would cover the cost of athletic activities for one month.
• $1,000 would cover the cost of online student subscriptions for one month.
• $2,500 would cover the cost of hosting one school concert.

Why does The Summit ask for contributions instead of increasing tuition?

If the tuition price was increased to include all costs, many families would be unable to afford an independent school experience. We know this would exclude the talented and deserving young students who would add so much to The Summit community. A diverse student population enriches the educational experience for all of our students and their families.

Does my gift really make a difference?

Yes! The Summit is a truly independent school. We are not supported by federal tax dollars, educational, or religious affiliates, so every gift matters.

When you participate in The Raven Fund, whether it's $10 or $1,000, your donation becomes a part of many other donations. Before you know it, you've helped us meet our goal!

Why Give Beyond Tuition?

Let's take a moment to reflect on the impact our school has on our students. It's not just about teaching subjects; it's about instilling values, building character, and shaping the leaders of tomorrow. We believe in equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world, fostering critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

To achieve this, we need your help. As you know, independent schools like ours face operational costs that extend beyond tuition. These include faculty salaries, classroom resources, technology, maintenance, and much more. Without your support, these critical needs may go unmet. The operational costs are the lifeblood of our institution, allowing us to maintain our standards of excellence and continue our tradition of providing an exceptional education. Every contribution, regardless of its size, is a statement of solidarity and belief in the mission of our institution.

Thank You!

We encourage you to think about what The Summit Prep means to you, to your family, and to our community. By giving generously, you are investing in a brighter future for our children, our school, and our collective legacy.

Thank you for being a vital part of The Summit Prep community and for your dedication to our children's education.

Gifts of $5,000 and more qualify for Raven Partner benefits.

Click above for more information about our Partners, or contact the Development Office.

Summit's 2024-2025 Raven Partners

Thank you to our 2024-2025 Raven Partners! We appreciate these major donors for supporting independent education in the Ozarks and providing The Summit with the resources we need to achieve our mission to prepare learners for success by providing a progressive education with a challenging curriculum in a supportive environment.

The Palmer Family

Anonymous Alumni Donor

The Ballard Family

The Johnson Family

Summit's 2024-2025 Founders Club Members

Thank you to our 2024-2025 Founders Club Members who have given $2005 in commemoration of our founding year.

The Beall Family

The Martinez Family

The Tang Family

Palm & Paddle Grille

If you would prefer to write a check, please make check out to The Summit Preparatory School, with Raven Fund in the memo line. Check can be mailed to: 202 East Walnut Lawn, Springfield, MO 65807

For more information about The Raven Experience fund or other giving options please contact Amy Maas, Development Officer at 417-869-8077 or development@thesummitprep.org.

Thank you for your support!