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Summer Advantage

is a free five-week academic and life enrichment program
Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
June 17 - July 19, 2024

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After-School Tutoring

is a free program offered in District elementary classrooms.
The program is immediately after school, for one hour on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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Summer Advantage

Summer Advantage

Offers invaluable summer learning and enrichment opportunities for students in the Roaring Fork Valley, with special consideration for at-risk students who otherwise would have little access to summer programs.

In addition to the academic and life-enrichment offerings, Summer Advantage provides two nutritious daily meals, daily physical activity, and a low student to teacher ratio ensures students have the attention of caring adults trained as a mentors.

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Summit 54 - Summer Advantage

Summer Advantage also provides an access point for medical and dental care, and other important family services.

Another ancillary benefit of Summer Advantage is that it provides summer employment opportunities for teachers in the Valley who need year-round employment in order to be able to afford to live and teach in Roaring Fork schools.

"We are pleased to partner with Summit54 for the twelfth season of Summer Advantage. I grew up attending summer programming like Summer Advantage and know that these kinds of partnerships are essential for some students to continue having a safe place to learn and play over the summer. I truly appreciate Summit54 for making this opportunity possible for our students here in the Roaring Fork Valley." - Dr. Jesus Rodriquez (RFSD superintendent)

After-School Small Group Tutoring

Free after-school programming

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After School Tutoring
Mrs. Tamsyn Peterson models finger spelling with her third graders to demonstrate letter sounds with written letters.

Roaring Fork School District elementary school teachers interested in participating in the Summit54 sponsored After-School Tutoring program during the 2023/24 school year, may contact Kyle-Leigh Berry at: kberry@rfschools.com.

  • The rate of compensation is $65/one hour session (including a necessary prep time).

  • The one-hour small group sessions take place immediately after school for one hour on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • Teachers may tutors two or three days per week based on their individual schedules.

“My students love it when it is a tutoring day! In 3rd grade, my students have learned six syllable word types. During tutoring they have the opportunity to review a syllable pattern and clarify any misconceptions about words that (often) break the rules. At the end of the class we play word reading games and make connections with each other. We have really formed a special bond and I notice the students helping each other more during the school day, because of these connections." - Amanda Laman (Crystal River Elementary School)

We are proud of the heights we’ve reached supporting education

In 2011, Summit54 was founded by Tony Caine after he summited all 54 of Colorado’s peaks taller than 14,000 feet during one year. His achievement is symbolic of the mission of Summit54 - to help young students reach the peak of their potential and success by providing support and services to overcome obstacles in their path.

Terri Caine, Tony's wife, simultaneously pursued bringing academic and life enrichment programs for elementary-aged children to the Roaring Fork Valley.

11/22/23 Press Release
Summit 54 Tutoring
1st graders at GSES play a missing number game.
Summer Advantage
Second graders in Ms. Berry’s after-school tutoring group practice a phonics game to reinforce the vowel teams au and aw.

Please help us assist more students!

Your donation will provide free academic and life enrichment summer programming and free after-school tutoring for low-income children in Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.

Colorado residents who contribute to Summit54 may deduct 50% of their donation from their Colorado liability as a credit. This credit combined with approved Federal Charitable Deductions can be quite significant.

Donate

Donations may also be mailed to
Summit54 at 625 E. Main Street, Suite 102B-115, Aspen, CO 81611

Summit54 is helping develop new educators for the Roaring Fork Valley.

The Roaring Fork School District currently employs five educators who got their start as Teaching Assistants or volunteers with Summer Advantage in the Roaring Fork Valley. In addition to these five, two local college students are currently enrolled in College Education Departments who started as volunteers for Summer Advantage RFV. Summit54 is also helping future school administrators gain valuable leadership training and experience. Several current and past District principals and assistant principals got their first leadership experience with Summer Advantage RFV.

Summit54 is helping develop new educators for the Roaring Fork Valley

Reasons to support Summit54

REASON 1 - Summit54 strengthens student outcomes

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.

REASON 2 - More than 7500 children have benefitted

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

REASON 3 - Summit54 serves under-privileged children

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.

REASON 4 - Summer Advantage provides five-weeks of academics

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.

REASON 5 - Students advance 2.5 - 4 months each summer

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.

REASON 6 - Summit54 provides free small group after-school tutoring

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.

REASON 7 - Summit54 spends less than 5% on overhead expenses

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%.

REASON 8 - Donors can use Colorado Child Care Credit to lower tax liability

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.

REASON 9 - Summit54 has a Platinum rating with GuideStar

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

After-School Tutoring

Success Stories

It is the second year that my child's scores have increased.

4th Grade Parent

Crystal River Elementary

 I saw students start to believe in their ability.

1st Grade Teacher

Basalt Elementary

LOOKING BACK

During the past 12 years, Summit54 has provided support and critical services for thousands of students in Colorado, by bringing both College Track and Summer Advantage to Colorado and by developing year-round academic programs.

1
In 2011, Summit54 sponsored two classes - 54 students - to participate in the College Track program. (1)

College Track Success Stories

Sponsored by Summit 54

Summit 54 - Success Story

I am currently enrolled in a Social Media Marketing certificate at eCornell. I have hopes to use my BA and certificate to get into copywriting. I would love to write for Target or Starbucks! I am employed at Guild Education. It’s an education technology company that’s committed to unlocking opportunities for America's workforce through education and upskilling. College access programs like CT equip students with knowledge and tools/resources that aren’t easily accessible to first generation students.
While others supported me, CT understood what I needed and gave it to me!"

Cyanna Whitney

Graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a BA in English

Kai Aptidon - College Trek Success

"I am currently doing well! I went to the University of Colorado at Boulder, I majored in English with a minor in Creative Writing. I am going back to receive my Masters in Creative Writing, as well as pursuing my dream of cooking, and opening my own restaurant.

Without the confidence CT gave me I wouldn't have felt comfortable to pursue more than one dream."

Kai Aptidon

Graduated University of Colorado at Boulder, with a major in English and minor in Creative Writing

Summit54 is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving Colorado's economy and society through effective, efficient and accountable investments in education.

In the Summer of 2022

690 scholars, from rising 1st to rising 6th graders, registered for our Summer Advantage program.

81% of scholars

identified Latino, 16% Caucasian, 1% Asian and 1% Other.

71% of Scholars

who applied to attend Summer Advantage qualified for free or reduced-price meals.

In the Summer of 2022

Summer Advantage scholars advanced 2.5 - 4 months in reading and math.

Research shows

that children living in low-income communities who do not have access to high quality summer learning programs historically lose three months of academic skills every summer.

Thank you to all our partner organizations and donors who contribute to making Summit54 programming possible.

Platinum Level Donors


Adam & Melony Lewis
John & Jessica Fullerton

Melvyn & Bren Simon Charitable Foundation
Roaring Fork School District RE-1

Wend II, Inc.
The Foundation for a Stable Childhood

Melvyn & Bren Simon Charitable Foundation

Melvyn & Bren Simon Charitable Foundation

Roaring Fork School District RE-1

Roaring Fork School District RE-1

Wend II, Inc.

Wend II, Inc.

The Foundation for a Stable Childhood

The Foundation for a Stable Childhood

Gold Level Donors

Aspen Community Foundation
City of Aspen
The Denver Foundation
Hurst Family Foundation
The Beacon Fund
Mariah & Craig Morris
Pitkin County

Silver Level Donors

Aspen Skiing Company Family Fund
ANB Bank
Richard & Brandy McAniff
Bubba and Tracy Eggleston
Colorado Humanities

Debbie & Richard Jelinek
Ernie & Lacy Fyrwald
Fred & Susan Lodge
Gary & Laura Lauder
Gerald & Annie Hosier

Greg & Marilena Lucier
Mark & Mareike Blodgett

Michael & Lisa Hasfield
Michael & Katie Solondz
Rich Vossler

Bronze Level Donors

Aspen Thrift Shop
Aspen Rotary Club
Alpine Bank Aspen

Basalt Education Foundation
Garfield County
Hotel Colorado

Roaring Fork Rotary Club
Robins Foundation
Western Colorado Community Foundation

Donate

We also wish to gratefully acknowledge all of our many individual donors.

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Happy Colorado Gives Day! @coloradogivesfoundation Happy Colorado Gives Day! @coloradogivesfoundation⁠
⁠
We are pleased to offer an additional 2 to 1 MATCH for all donations to Summit54 up to $100,000.  This match is in addition to funds provided through the statewide Colorado Gives campaign. ⁠
⁠
The Summit54 match will be offered through the end of December or until we raise $100,000 (whichever is first). ⁠
⁠
Your gift will help Summit54 provide FREE after-school tutoring and FREE academic and life enrichment summer programming for Roaring Fork Valley elementary students in 2024.  Both of these programs include pre- and post-assessments that validate the effectiveness of our instruction. ⁠
⁠
The strong early educational foundation we help provide is an effective, efficient way to support lifelong success for students and foster a strong community.⁠
⁠
To support on this Colorado Gives Day, visit https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Summit54⁠
⁠
Thank you for supporting Roaring Fork Valley youth! ⁠
⁠
#ColoradoGivesDay #ColoradoGives #RoaringForkValley #Coloradononprofit #nonprofit #Coloradoeducation
We will be participating in Colorado Gives Day thi We will be participating in Colorado Gives Day this year!⁠
⁠
Summit 54’s emphasis is on K-12 education and we assist primarily need-based students. Our end goal is to reduce the achievement gap in Colorado and improve the life prospects of students who benefit from the programs we support. Ultimately, we envision that our investments will lead to a more highly skilled workforce, less poverty, and stronger, healthier, more dynamic communities.⁠
⁠
Colorado Gives Day is officially December 5th, but early giving is OPEN! ✨ ⁠
⁠
To support Summit54, this Colorado Gives Day, visit: https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Summit54⁠
⁠
#ColoradoGivesDay #ColoradoGives #Summit54 #RoaringForkValley #ColoradoEducation #ColoradoNonprofit #GivingTuesday ⁠
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you to all who make Sum Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to all who make Summit54’s work possible! 🧡

#RoaringForkValley #Summit54 #coloradoeducation
We're focusing on an eye-opening article from The We're focusing on an eye-opening article from The New York Times about the intersection of schools and the defense department —  and the educational results being discovered.💡

This article highlights the methods that schools on military bases use.  They focus on fundamental education while still holding students to a high standard. 

The mission of Summit 54 is to improve Colorado's economy and society through effective, efficient and accountable investments in education. This means understanding the mechanisms at work that create success in the classroom and ultimately the real world. 

If you are interested in reading the full article "Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department"  by Sarah Mervosh, visit our link in story!

#Education #USEducation #Educationreform #NewYorkTimes #EducationArticle #coloradononprofit #nonprofit #aspencolorado #coloradoschools #coloradoschool #roaringforkvalley
We're thrilled to share a few moments from our Fal We're thrilled to share a few moments from our Fall After-School Tutoring program, where young minds are thriving in our local elementary schools! 📚

🌟 We're excited to announce that Summit54 is once again providing FREE After-School Small Group Tutoring to elementary students during the 2023/24 school year, marking our 4th consecutive year of support in the RFS District schools. 📆

In this program, our students receive one hour of personalized tutoring immediately after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. 📝 These sessions take place in Carbondale, Basalt, and Glenwood Springs, ensuring accessibility for our young learners right within their own school communities.

The beauty of our program lies in its flexibility, accommodating the needs of students throughout the academic year. Together, we're helping these young stars shine even brighter! 🌟✨

#summit54 #afterschoolprogram #glenwoodsprings #basaltcolorado #afterschooltutoring #coloradononprofit #nonprofit #aspencolorado #coloradoschools #coloradoschool #roaringforkvalley
"About 600 students graduated from Summer Advantag "About 600 students graduated from Summer Advantage this year on July 21. About 8,000 kids have benefited from Summer Advantage during its 12-year span. Additionally Summit54 has also funded after-school tutoring to support kids year-round." 

Today's Aspen Daily News article highlights the academic gains students make in Summit54 programs in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

To read the full article, visit https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/8-000-rfv-kids-and-counting-get-big-boost/article_b00e6c86-337b-11ee-972c-f730156da7cd.html
https://summit54.org (linked in our story!)

#summit54 #coloradononprofit #nonprofit #aspencolorado #coloradoschools #coloradosummerprogram #coloradosummerschool #roaringforkvalley

SUPPORT 12 MORE YEARS OF SERVICE

DONATE TODAY

2.5-4 months

of academic gains

Summer Advantage 2022

24 days

or 156 total hours of dynamic summer learning

92.7%

of parents would recommend the program to other families

Contact

625 Main Street, Suite 102B-115
Aspen, CO 81611

info@summit54.org

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