Belmont Hill launched its new Summit Scholars program this fall with the aim of enriching the educational experience for a group of 10 to 15 boys in 5th and 6th grade. The yearlong program, which is offered to boys in the greater Boston area, is led by Belmont Hill Math, English, and Humanities teachers. Additionally, each Summit Scholar is paired with a current Belmont Hill student that serves the role of a student mentor. Overall, the goal of the program is to “provide a robust, engaging, and supportive academic enrichment program for boys seeking to expand their future educational opportunities” according to the Belmont Hill website. In creating the program, Belmont Hill made an effort to prioritize students from “under-represented backgrounds with demonstrated financial need–meaning students from low-income families” as well as from communities more affected by COVID. Thus, the school also provides the necessary technology such as a laptop and internet access, to boys accepted into the program who cannot afford it.
Summit Scholars meet twice a week on Zoom and once a month in person on weekends. Although the program is designed to enrich the academic opportunities of the students, it also focuses on an integral part of the Belmont Hill experience: building community. In addition to learning core subjects, Summit Scholars also attend workshops about robotics, studio arts, performing arts, and go on field trips to local museums and theaters. In fact, the program offers community-building activities that don’t relate at all to academics, such as recreational sporting activities, barbecues, pizza nights, open gym, ice skating, and more.
Ultimately, the Summit Scholars program gives students a glimpse into the Belmont Hill experience and offers them guidance regarding an independent school education. The network of faculty and student mentors combined with extracurricular community-enrichment activities provides Summit Scholars with an exceptional educational opportunity.
