Summit School

Welcome to Summit School:
A Place Where Children Grow, Explore, and Thrive

Nestled in the heart of Duluth, MN, Summit School is a nonprofit early childhood education center dedicated to providing high-quality care and learning experiences for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. While our mission is firmly rooted in the present, our building carries a unique and meaningful history—it was originally built in 1903 as the Thomas Faye Hospital for Crippled Children. Since then, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community, including a chapter as an independent elementary school beginning in 1991, and later transitioning into the thriving early childhood center we are today.

A Safe and Nurturing Environment for Every Stage

Our beautiful 3-acre campus is home to nine thoughtfully designed classrooms that can serve up to 115 children. These spaces are grouped by age to meet the developmental needs of each child:

Infants (6 weeks to 16 months): Two classrooms with space for 20 children
Toddlers (16 months to 33 months): Three classrooms with space for 35 children
Preschool (33 months to 6 years): Four classrooms with space for 60 children

We’re open year-round, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering consistency and care that families can rely on.

Learning Through Play with
the Creative Curriculum

At Summit, we believe that children learn best through play—and our curriculum reflects that philosophy. We use the Creative Curriculum, a research-based approach that encourages exploration and discovery while supporting all areas of development: social, emotional, physical, and cognitive.
Our dedicated educators guide children as they prepare for Kindergarten, helping them build foundational skills and a lifelong love of learning. Teachers observe, assess, and nurture each child’s unique development, fostering curiosity and creativity along the way.

Supporting Families Every Step of the Way

We are proud to maintain a four star rating from Parent Aware! All of our teachers are CPR certified and are licensed to work in classrooms through their education, their experience, or a combination of both. Annual, ongoing professional development ensures that our staff remains current with best practices in early childhood education.

While we do not have a commercial kitchen and therefore cannot provide lunch, we do supply morning and afternoon snacks along with milk for toddlers and preschoolers. Our infant program is tailored to support the individual needs of each family, respecting personal feeding and sleep schedules to ensure comfort and consistency.

Thriving as a Nonprofit in a Challenging Climate

Childcare providers everywhere are facing unprecedented challenges, and many centers have had to close due to financial pressures. At Summit, we’re proud to not only remain open—but to thrive. Our status as a nonprofit organization allows us to invest in what matters most: our staff, our students, and the quality of care we provide.

Owning our building and land outright gives us financial stability and flexibility, allowing us to stay focused on our mission rather than profit margins. For nearly 40 years, Summit has been a pillar of the Duluth community—and we look forward to continuing our work for many more years to come.

Summit School - Your Community Leader in Early Childhood Education!

Get In Touch

For more information regarding enrollment, employment opportunities, or to set up a tour please contact:
[email protected]

Call us at: 218-724-3133

Location

1600 N 8th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805
Hours: 6:30am-5:30pm M-F