New Summit Charter Academy in Colorado Springs

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	5/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) data from Colorado Department of Education.

Posted: July 13, 2026

As a mom, I expected a public school that would prioritize strong academics, support its teachers, and welcome families from all backgrounds. Unfortunately, that wasnt our experience. The culture felt cliquey, and I was disappointed by how unprepared many students seemed to be when they left middle school. It also seemed like there was far more emphasis on marketing, branding, and growing enrollment than on investing in teachers and improving student outcomes. I was also uncomfortable with what I saw as a political and ideological influence that didnt feel appropriate for a public school. Leadership often appeared more focused on promoting the schools image than addressing the concerns of families and educators. If youre considering this school, Id encourage you to look beyond the polished marketing and ask tough questions about academic results, teacher retention, school culture, and whether the schools priorities align with your expectations for a public education.

Posted: July 13, 2026

Posted: May 11, 2026

As an educator myself, I may look at schools through a more critical lens than most parents but I also believe families deserve to fully understand what makes charter schools different, especially this one. In Colorado charter schools, teachers are not always required to hold traditional certification, which can impact educational consistency and, in some cases, create environments where hiring and advancement feel influenced more by relationships and favoritism than by experience or excellence in education.

My concern with New Summit Charter Academy is less about charter schools as a whole and more about transparency and accountability. Because funding is tied directly to enrollment and the school operates with significant autonomy and limited district oversight, I believe there should be stronger safeguards around governance, financial transparency, conflicts of interest, and board relationships. I have also observed what feels like excessive marketing and recruitment efforts focused heavily on enrollment growth, which raises understandable concerns when public funding increases directly with student numbers.

On a personal level, I also found the culture to feel much more aligned with a private conservative school environment than a traditional public school. In my experience, the administration has been very open about its political and ideological leanings, and families who do not share those views may not feel equally welcomed or represented. I also observed clear favoritism among students, where some children seemed heavily supported while others were too easily overlooked.

Every child deserves an environment where they feel valued, challenged, and included. Parents should carefully consider not just academics, but also school culture, leadership, and values when deciding where their children will spend the majority of their day.

Posted: May 11, 2026

Posted: May 8, 2026

Over time, our experience with this school has reflected ongoing concerns regarding student safety, accountability, and the overall culture surrounding student support. There appears to be a pattern of inconsistent handling of bullying and peer conflict, along with preferential treatment toward certain students and families, which creates an environment that feels inequitable and emotionally unsafe for others. Repeated concerns brought forward by parents are often minimized, redirected, or handled defensively rather than through meaningful accountability and collaborative problem-solving. While every school faces challenges, the inability to consistently acknowledge concerns, apply policies fairly, and foster a culture of transparency and respect has deeply impacted our trust in the schools leadership and its ability to provide a healthy educational environment for all students.

Posted: May 8, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

This school used to be something but has declined terribly. The staff is more concerned with being popular with the kids and the dean of students is a bully to the kids. He is a poison to the school. It is unfortunate because some of the teachers are great.

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 6, 2026

If you have a "perfect" straight A student then maybe this school is for you. There are a few good teachers here but the majority of them are not great and the admin staff that run the school is absolute trash. All they care about is money, publicity, and showing they care only to their "favorite" students. They don't take bullying seriously and if you have a special needs student... he or she will definitely not get the care they need and deserve, especially academicly. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time.

Posted: April 6, 2026

Posted: February 11, 2026

ok so i am a past student at this school and i can say for a 100% fact it is one of the worst middle school in d20 the teachers are great but the staff IS SO BAD i do not recomend this school at ALL the sped teacher was rude and disrespectufull twards students she is so rude and cursed at studets i think shes fired now but they let her work for a year the only thing good about this school is the nice teachers

Posted: February 11, 2026

Posted: October 10, 2025

We spent three years at New Summit and while we were mostly happy with the elementary school the middle school has major issues. I have seen the decline year after year. Academically the school is lacking and after switching our son this year we found out he was very behind. Socially the school is very cliquey and there is a lot of bullying by both students and admin that turn a blind eye. We had a few issues and were completely ignored by the head admin. I would have left this review on Facebook or Google but you may have come here because they have reviews at both places turned off. There was a big campaign to get their pet families to drive up the positive reviews and then shut it down. I guess if you cant write a review people wont know that this school has major issues. At least for your middle schooler do them a favor and think about what they need to be prepared for in the future.

Posted: October 10, 2025

Posted: August 26, 2025

As a teacher at new summit I can say there is a LOT of lipstick being put on the pig. Why the constant social media presence? Why are the admins constantly making Tik Toks? Why the huge marketing spend? Why have eschews been turned off on the social media pages after a huge push to her staff and favored parents to give high praise?

Why? Because the test scores suck. The academic focus is lacking. The diversity is non existent.

The agenda is set and that is all the board, the admin and all their lackeys care about it. And the agenda is not about your child.

Use critical thinking with this one parents. I sure am and am looking for employment else where.

Posted: August 26, 2025

Posted: August 25, 2025

Loved the school at first but after 5 years, we decided to move to a better school. The school and environment has declined, significantly. We had some great teachers (supportive, caring and communicated well) and some really bad teachers (not supportive, didn't communicate - especially once kids are in 5th grade, communication stops, unanswered emails etc), support from some Admin staff (there's only three staff members I can say, really cared for our child) but the counselor there is wonderful! We had an IEP for our child and it was not being followed, teachers wanted to modify it for their own benefit vs. what was best for our child. We didn't know what to ask for in an IEP and had to research everything ourselves. We were given wrong information about the testing they do there, we asked for dyslexia testing and it was agreed they can do it, found out they couldn't and we paid out of pocket for the testing - only to go to a D20 Dyslexia meeting to find out it was covered. They had a different kids name in our IEP, they sent us draft copies but never the updated copy of the IEP. There is no Take Flight offered, they do not teach cursive and the "certified" educators, do not act/seem like it. Our child was physically bullied there, left a message for the old Principal (not the current one) and never received a call back. Had to get Pikes Peak Parents involved to line up and advocate, once I told the school I was coming with an advocate and lawyer, they jumped into action. The Kitchen staff aren't friendly to the kids and even though money was on the accounts, would turn our child away from a second helping. The 3rd party supplier for food, replaced bread with hotdog buns - leaving a lot of kids hungry and no notice to parents. If your child is neurotypical they could be fine, but if they require any special care (504 or IEP), highly recommend choosing another school that prioritizes education with qualified educators. We wasted 3 years pushing back on the teachers on what was going on with our son. You really have to advocate hard for your kids at this school, push for meetings and communication. We transferred schools and our child loves going to school now, where as before would cry or be sick just to not be in that environment.

Posted: June 11, 2025

Why would a school need to spend extensively on marketing and film crews? To sell you on a school that is as fake as their staged marketing attempts. This school is great if you are part of the admins cliques and their favorite kids. But if not good luck. The middle school is abismal. Infighting and intense lack of academic structure. The test scores tell the story not the fake marketing or admins need to constantly be in the spotlight. There are better options.

Posted: June 11, 2025

Posted: May 24, 2025

I had the chance to experience multiple departments. Unfortunately, I would not recommend it as a place of employment or for student education.

There is a toxic culture among the staff, with cliques and petty behavior. The favoritism among students is palpable, and those who are in favor are treated very differently from others. This creates a divisive atmosphere, especially when the goal should be equality and fairness for all students.

From an educational perspective, the school falls short in setting students up for success. There is a lack of proper discipline, and students who struggle with behavior issues aren't supported effectively, which leaves those who want to learn behind. Some administrators are competent and engaged, but many others do little to address the real issues and tend to focus their frustration on the wrong people.

Tensions exist between various departments, including Health, Special Services, Telemetry, and the Middle School teams. These issues further contribute to a lack of collaboration and communication, creating an environment that feels divided and inefficient. Teachers and staff are often caught in the middle of these tensions, which impacts the overall work environment and morale.

The schools culture is based on who you know, not on merit. If you speak up or stand up for yourself or others, you risk being pushed out or treated like a child. Many of the good teachers are leaving, and unfortunately, only the ones who align with the status quo remain. This issue isn't isolated to one level of education; it spans from elementary to high school.

Posted: May 24, 2025

Posted: March 4, 2025

This school lacks diversity of students and of thought. Admin is like a little mean girls clique and a simple review of both the staff and the boards credentials and beliefs will show you what you need to know about the environment of this school. There are some great teachers but admin runs the show (and is the show) completely. Kids are not the priority their agenda is.

The low test scores show you everything you need to know about the caliber of this school.

Posted: March 4, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Our family is beyond grateful to have found New Summit Charter Academy. All four of my children are new to this school this year, and I can't express enough how wonderful our experience has been.

My twins, who came in with low academic scores and are on IEPs, have made incredible progress. They went from dreading school to absolutely loving it! The transformation in them has been nothing short of remarkable. My children now look forward to learning, and are excited to come home and tell me what they learned, which is something I never thought Id see.

What sets New Summit apart is not only the academic support but the genuine care the staff has for each child. It's evident the moment you walk intheir dedication to the students' success and well-being shines through in everything they do. The love and encouragement my kids receive from the staff are palpable, and that makes a world of difference.

My youngest is thriving in preschool, my middle child in kindergarten, and my oldest two in fourth grade. We are beyond excited to have found a school where our kids can grow, not just academically but emotionally and socially as well. Were looking forward to many more years as part of the New Summit family.

If you want a school where your children are not only supported but truly cared forwhere IEPs are followed, and where they will grow in every way imaginable-then New Summit Charter Academy is the place to be. I couldnt be happier to call my kids New Summit Yetis!

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 29, 2025

As a father of two students, I couldnt be more pleased with the experience our family has had at New Summit. From the moment we first walked through the doors, it was clear that this is a school that truly values both academic excellence and character development.

The teachers and staff are not only highly qualified but also genuinely invested in each child's success. The curriculum is rigorous yet engaging, incorporating evidence-based learning strategies that ensure students are mastering essential skills. My children come home excited to share what they've learned, whether it's a hands-on science experiment or a discussion about history. The schools dedication to meeting and exceeding state standards is evident in the way lessons are structured and assessed.

Beyond academics, what truly sets New Summit apart is its commitment to fostering good morals and strong values. Respect, kindness, and responsibility are part of the school's culture. The students are encouraged to be leaders, show compassion, and work together to create a positive environment. The staff lead by example, reinforcing these values through their interactions with students and parents alike. Its refreshing to see a school where character education is just as important as test scores.

Another thing I appreciate is the schools clear and consistent communication with parents. Whether it's updates about curriculum, school events, or student progress, we always feel informed and involved in our children's education.

If you're looking for a school that will challenge your child academically while also shaping them into a well-rounded, respectful individual, I highly recommend New Summit. It has been a blessing to our family, and I have no doubt that my children are receiving an education that will set them up for success in the future.

Posted: January 29, 2025

Posted: November 24, 2024

My child has an IEP and no matter how much I have been in communication with the school they are not following his accommodations, he has a learning disability and has no been getting the support he needs. The school simply does not care and unfortunately my child continues to fail his classes and is not getting help when he is asking for it. Some of the staff and teachers are rude and disrespectful and some don't even have teaching degrees. I am disappointed and will looking into enrolling my child elsewhere.

Posted: November 15, 2024

I decided to enroll my 6th grader to help her with social concerns at other schools. She has an IEP and the administration at NSCA has not made a single attempt to follow it. They have dismissed my concerns on multiple occasions and told me it was my job to make sure each classroom teacher knew the accommodations she was supposed to get. I tried but was again dismissed and told that they dont have to follow her IEP. There is little to no oversight with a charter school and I wish someone would have told me before I made this choice.

Posted: November 15, 2024

Posted: August 24, 2024

This school is a prime example of "do as I say, not as I do". The children do not have a voice. My child with two learning disabilities stood up for himself and his needs and the school did not call me or listen to him. With his 504 - they use words like "When possible" as a means to not comply with accommodations. After speaking with an educational advocate, I was told that this school gets lots of calls from this school regarding 504's and IEP's. Aside from the obvious, I also noticed they run a very controlled environment with little autonomy given to the student. Coming from a Montessori background, it was very hard to watch. On paper the school looks good, it checks all the boxes. But, I realized with a small school also comes a lot of control...it's a give and take. It soon became a toxic environment and I didn't like the way the kids were being molded (not just my child). My child is now thriving at our local district 20 middle school.

Posted: August 24, 2024

Posted: May 9, 2024

Our child was brought into a life threatening situation from an allergy that the school knew about in detail prior to the incident and did it anyway without any kind of corrective action afterwards.

Posted: May 9, 2024

Posted: February 11, 2024

If you have a child who is struggling or even being bullied. Dont waste your time. Just leave. Its not a good option anymore and it lacks transparency. Very manipulative. Its gone downhill and rigged to better those in charged. Pick better for yourself and stay away from here.

Posted: February 11, 2024

Posted: September 5, 2023

That is the worst school that I have seen in my life!!! Actually, I'm very disappointed with D20, how neglected they've been about that. Everything what is said at the other reviews about solving problems is true! And be careful because good reviews are from parents who are school's staff, therefore they need keep their jobs! I saw TA leaving kindergartner without lunch; I saw staff neglecting bullying because they don't admite that they could be wrong; I saw staff overreacting with parents because they didn't have enough direction about deals with parents... Also, the school doesn't have a good structure, specially for carpooling. It is AWFUL! I saw prejudice there, too! So, be very careful about what are you doing!

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: July 18, 2023

My son came from another charter school feeling like a failure. One year at this school and he experienced so much growth emotionally and learning wise. We love the small middle school atmosphere and both my children feel like they belong and are loved by their teachers. Thankful we found New Summit!

Posted: July 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

I am a parent of a child that struggles with reading. Pulled teeth to get him tested for an IEP. They had to fly a woman into the school to meet with my son and determined that he doesnt meet the requirements. Just so happens that the school doesnt offer a speech therapist. He has been tested at Child Development Center and has been diagnosed with two issues , but somehow the school isnt willing to account for that. Hes perfectly fine to quote the school. His test scores reflect the opposite. If your child struggles please do not send them here. I hate to wonder if its because of their reputation as a great test scores type of school ?

Posted: February 13, 2023

New Summit Charter Academy is an amazing school. I highly recommend this school. From the moment you walk in the doors the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming and you know your child/children are loved and cared for. The administration leads with integrity and truly cares for students, parents and staff. When I see negative reviews about schools I always remember that no school is perfect and there are always 2 sides to every story. Go to the school and see for yourself. My child has been at New Summit for 5 years, were there kinks to be worked out as a new school? Yes. Do the teachers genuinely care about my child? YES! Does my child feel safe every day? Yes! I believe wholeheartedly, New Summit has the best staff and administration and know my child is in the presence of of incredible people who only want the best for her.

Posted: February 13, 2023

Posted: November 22, 2022

This school lives by its Mission and does an exemplary job with students.

Posted: October 3, 2022

Capturing Kid's Hearts school for three years running, and I can see why! Staff, Admin, and Teachers, all genuinely care about my student's heart. They notice a bad day and give grace.

Posted: October 3, 2022

Posted: September 26, 2022

We have loved our experience at new summit! After dealing with a few different schools through our move across the country and across town, we found where we need to be. The staff and other parents are kind and inviting and it really feels more like a community then any of the other schools weve been in. Weve dealt with horrible communication, rudeness, cliques and such at previous schools and new summit is a much needed change of pace for our family. We are in our fourth year here and will stay until our kids outgrow the school!

Posted: September 26, 2022

Posted: July 6, 2022

This is not only where I work, but my step-daughter goes here as well. We have loved the dedication of the teachers to grow her knowledge and confidence. As a teacher here, I feel supported by the admin. I enjoy the curriculum and the ability to teach it with best practices in mind. I love that we put the childs needs before their academics. After all, you cant have a childs mind without having a childs heart. We aim to build a relationship with you and your child in order to help them grow and learn and be successful.

Posted: July 6, 2022

Posted: April 16, 2022

Unfortunately we have a similar experience as two of the other reviews. We brought some bullying to the admins attention after the teachers and counselors didnt do a single thing even a phone call home. We were basically told that our child was the problem and she was the bully and was this terrible child. When we asked why we werent contacted if she is such an issue we were met with we didnt know the severity of the situation. I will also add every single day the staff would call my child by name and ask her how her weekend was or say she looked adorable or tell me how wonderful of a kid she was. My husband and I are not naive enough to believe that our child is perfect and did not instigate anything with this child but I reached out to 3 other parents and their kids said the exact same things including a parent who volunteers and she said this little girl tries to bully her. We were basically met with a bunch of red tape that were their policies to go through. Her teacher (who changed at Christmas and should not be an educator) told my husband our child was the problem and it was such an issue that she has sat down with this other little girls parentsmy husband asked why she didnt reach out to us then she said she didnt know the severity of the situation?? So which is it. She also told my child and another child that they were bullies because they walked away from this little girl that has been bullying them. The dean then reached out to my husband (on the school website it says he was an insurance adjuster and PI for 30 years so Im not too sure where his qualifications are) and basically told us that its our fault as parents, our child bullys the entire 2nd grade, we dont have the perfect daughter we think we do, and quite a few other questionable remarks. When once again we asked okay if shes such an issue why has no one contacted us the dean said how do we know we havent??? And also said he didnt know the severity of the situation? So once again which is it? The irony in the fact that the dean was one of the staff members that has told me how wonderful she is multiple times. We switched her schools almost immediately and she is a completely different child now. I could not recommend new summit less keep your kids safe and keep them out of here.

Posted: April 16, 2022

Posted: February 13, 2022

The school infrastructure is good and the idea too, but unfortunately, it's true the review above, with only one add, the bully happens also in the elementary level, and not only in middle school. And, if you say that and don't agree with the principal, probably you will be "gently" invited to do homeschooling or chose another school, because the school is perfect and they are never wrong. Of course, the school has some good professionals but, usually, they don't make decisions and directions (the good ones do that, but they are rare). It's difficult to contact some staff too, it's true. I probably shouldn't, but I believed in everything that is written on the website, and in reality, is not that way. There are some good teachers but you need the luck to get one, or they will say to you that all of them are the best (while it's not true). What makes me feel unsafe to keep my kids there is the fact the school never admitted to doing something wrong. What is so perfect, it's not real!

Posted: February 13, 2022

Posted: January 27, 2022

Speaking as a parent with children who experienced elementary and middle school both at this location, I would never leave my child to further develop their growth as an individual here past the age of prepubescence. The middle school staff is completely incapable of harboring loving or logical platforms for learning. The administration will bully the children themselves and have no qualms about talking amongst themselves to label the children, single them out and gossip in a passive aggressive manner making them feel less than. The principal Kim McClelland will not communicate with parents in times of concern and will state an appointment needs to be made and leaves emails unaddressed.

Posted: January 27, 2022

Posted: January 4, 2022

New Summit Charter Academy has been incredible for our 3 elementary aged children. Each of their personalities and emotional needs are so different. Every staff member and teacher has supported them and us as a family every step of the way. As important as academics are to our family, the emotional health of our children is even greater. The school counselors, teachers and leadership has given our children such compassionate, individualized care. They place a high emphasis on respect, kindness and safety. As a mother, this has been a huge relief and comfort, knowing that my kids are well taken care of every daymind, body and emotion. I highly, highly recommend NSCA.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Briargate - Fairfax	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	2 mi
2	Cordera	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	2.2 mi
3	Dakota Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	2.2 mi
4	Wolf Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	2.5 mi
5	Wolf Ranch (Briargate)	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	2.8 mi
6	Stetson Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	4.8 mi
7	Flying Horse	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	5.1 mi
8	Pronghorn Meadows	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	5.7 mi
9	Mountain Shadows	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	6.2 mi
10	Falcon	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Peyton	CO	7.4 mi
11	Windmill Apartments	Apartment Complex	Colorado Springs	CO	8.6 mi
12	Meridian Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Peyton	CO	9.2 mi
13	Forest Lakes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Monument	CO	10.3 mi
14	Cheyenne Mountain	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	12.5 mi
15	Security Valley	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	13.2 mi
16	Comanche Village	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fort carson	CO	13.7 mi
17	Fountain Valley	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	15.8 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	North Gate Blvd	Colorado Springs	CO	5.9 mi
2	Colorado Springs Co	Colorado Springs	CO	8.3 mi
3	North Cheyenne Canyon	Colorado Springs	CO	13.2 mi
4	Manitou Springs	Colorado Springs	CO	14.2 mi

Base	Distance
US Air Force Academy	6.7 mi.
Peterson AFB	9.4 mi.
Fort Carson	14.3 mi.
Cheyenne Mountain Air Station	14.6 mi.
Schriever AFB	15.9 mi.

New Summit Charter Academy

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

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