In the summer of 2022, Roaring Fork Valley elementary students advanced 2.5 to 4 months in reading and math during the short five-week Summer Advantage program!  Summit54 focuses on elementary aged children because beginning in 4th grade, half of the material children are expected to learn is provided to them in a written format. If children can’t read by fourth grade, it is very difficult for them to succeed. Not surprisingly, there is a very strong correlation between 3rd grade literacy and high school graduation rates. In a decades-long study, Hernandez found that *88% of High School dropouts couldn't read when they finished 3rd grade.

More than 7500 Roaring Fork Valley children have participated in Summit54 programming during the past 12 years.

In 2023,
81% of our scholars identified Latino.
74% of our scholars were English Language Learners.
71% of scholars qualified for free or reduced price meals.

Summer Advantage provides five-weeks of academics and life enrichment programming each summer for more than 575 under-privileged rising 1st – 6th grade students in the Roaring Fork Valley at elementary schools in Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs in partnership with Roaring Fork Schools.

Students advance 2.5 - 4 months each summer during the five-week Summer Advantage program. Without access to a summer academic program, low-income students typically regress up to 3 months during the summer break.

Summit54 began free tutoring during the pandemic. Unfortunately, children are still far behind where they should be.  To address this on-going problem, Summit54 continued the program and is now it it’s third year of providing free small group after-school tutoring in Roaring Fork elementary schools.

95% of all donations received by Summit54 go directly to provide FREE programming for disadvantaged youth in the Roaring Fork Valley.Summit54’s executive director works as a volunteer. The organization’s Controller donates half her time on a contractual basis. The organization also uses a private contractor for PR and Marketing at a discounted rate. Summit54 pays no rent or utilities. According to “Charity Navigator” non-profits typically TRY to stay within a 23% overhead cost but the national average is around 35%. Summit54’s overhead cost is 5%.

Summit54 is a State of Colorado “Approved Child Care Provider,” which allows Colorado donors to use the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit to write off 50% of their Colorado liability.  This credit, combined with normal charitable deductions, may equal up to 72% of the total donation.

Platinum is the highest rating available and demonstrates Summit54’s commitment to overall excellence and superior operational standards.