About Us

Students playing a balloon game

Our program is in place with the purpose of working alongside homeschool families to offer quality classes that will enrich what you are doing at home, at the same time providing opportunities for students to develop deep friendships with classmates. We meet one day a week on Tuesdays in Littleton, and one day a week on Thursdays in Conifer. Each student attends one location only. Our school day consists of 6 classes. Our school year runs for approximately 34 weeks. When you enroll, you will get access to our amazing homeschool-friendly lending library and awesome classes that will enrich your homeschool. Summit Academy South is an expansion of The Summit Academy in Westminster. 

Our Philosophy and Vision

It is our philosophy that parents are capable of making educational decisions for their families. This is reinforced by The Colorado Charter School Act R.S 22-30.5-102 which states that "...the best education decisions are made by those who know the students best and who are responsible for implementing the decisions, and, therefore… educators and parents have a right and a responsibility to participate in the education institutions which serve them.” Who knows your kids and their educational needs better than you? 

At Summit South we strive to partner with homeschool families to provide the most excellent education for their kids. We are a program that focuses on the needs of families by coming alongside, not taking over. It is such an honor to be part of that process for our families. We recognize the roles of the parent, student, and school and that we can work together to achieve the goals that are set out by each family.

Student standing in parking lot smiling

Our Values

Photo of students working at picnic table and text that reads:Our Values Respect Each person has equal, intrinsic worth and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Integrity Integrity is based on trust, honesty, and accepting accountability for one's words and actions. We expect our students to exhibit integrity in all areas of their lives. Compassion Every individual should be willing to give time and energy to act in the best interest of others. Excellence High achievement requires high expectations focused on challenging instruction and engaged learners willing to work hard for success. Partnership We believe parents are uniquely suited to make important educational decisions for their children. The Summit Academy South exists to encourage, support, and assist them in their endeavor to educate their children.

Respect: Each person has equal, intrinsic worth and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Integrity: Integrity is based on trust, honesty, and accepting accountability for one's words and actions. We expect our students to exhibit integrity in all areas of their lives.

Compassion: Every individual should be willing to give time and energy to act in the best interest of others.

Excellence: High achievement requires high expectations focused on challenging instruction and engaged learners willing to work hard for success.

Partnership: We believe parents are uniquely suited to make important educational decisions for their children. The Summit Academy South exists to encourage, support, and assist them in their endeavor to educate their children.

Athletics at The Summit Academy South

We are a school without a high school athletics program, which allows our students to choose how they participate in Jeffco School's sports. Our school is part of a larger network of Jefferson Academy Charter Schools. Due to the nature of our district contract and our school, high school athletes may play at their school of choice. Students must contact the school of their choice directly to coordinate with the specific requirements and schedules of that school's athletic program.

Students playing football

Our History

In 2004 the Summit Academy started in a basement with a science class of 14 kids.

From 2006-2013 We were part of the Aurora Public Schools Options program.

In 2013 We began a partnership between Jefferson Academy and parents to provide quality education to homeschool families, now numbering over 900 students.

In 2018 We expanded to a south campus in Lakewood to meet the needs of the growing number of families that commute many miles to take part in our program.

In 2019 We moved to a new campus location in Littleton.

In 2021 Summit South continues to expand and support our homeschool families and began offering another day of classes in Conifer.

Our history info graphic that is blue and has boxes of text that reads our history timeline 2004 the summit academy established. 2006-2013 part of the Aurora public schools options program., 2013 Partnership with Jefferson Academy, 2018 Program expands with the addition of the summit academy South location, 2021 The Summit Academy South moves from Lakewood to Littleton., 2021 The Summit Academy South expands to include Conifer Location

Our Partnering Organization

Jefferson Academy

Summit Academy South operates as part of Jefferson Academy Secondary, a charter school in Broomfield formed in 1994 by a group of parents who were interested in a more traditional education for their children. As part of the Jefferson Academy family, Summit South is governed by the Jefferson Academy Board of Directors, which is comprised of parents within the school. Jefferson Academy oversees several charter school programs:  Summit South, Summit Academy in Westminster, and Hope House in Arvada.

The Jefferson Academy Mission

The mission of Jefferson Academy is to help students attain their highest academic and character potential through an academically rigorous, content-rich educational program.

The Jefferson Academy Vision 

Jefferson Academy envisions a community of parents, teachers, students, and educational and business leaders working together to create a learning environment that engenders growth in character, academic achievement, and the love of learning, resulting in responsible, productive citizens.

For More Information

Jefferson Academy Website

Jeffco Public Schools

Summit Academy South also shares in the Mission and Vision of Jeffco Public Schools.

The Jeffco Schools Mission

Our mission is to provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future.

The Jeffco Family Handbook

Students at Summit Academy South are expected to abide by the policies found in the Jeffco Student Family Handbook.

To access the Jeffco Student Family Handbook (Code of Conduct), please visit: www.jeffcopublicschools.org/about/student-family-handbook 

For More Information

Jeffco Schools Website: www.jeffcopublicschools.org

Colorado Homeschool Law and The Summit Academy South

Summit Academy South students are considered to be enrolled in a “non-public home-based educational program.” In other words, most SAS students are still categorized as homeschoolers. Parents should be familiar with and follow all Colorado laws pertaining to home-based education. For a copy of the Colorado Homeschool Laws, go to: www.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool_law.


A summary of the relationship between Colorado homeschool law and enrollment at Summit South, along with a helpful Letter of Intent template, can be found on our website at: https://www.thesummitacademysouth.org/o/tsas/page/colorado-homeschool-resources