Summit School in Lorena, Texas, competing with 23 other schools for $1 million prize
LORENA, Texas (KWTX) - A private school in Lorena is competing against other schools across the country for a $1 million prize.
Summit School in Lorena is among 23 schools across the country who are up for the Yass prize, $1 million given away by the Yass Foundation.
Since 2021, the Yass Foundation has been finding and rewarding schools that go above and beyond in different ways to educate each individual child.
Summit School is a private school in Lorena that sits on 35 acres and has just over 100 students from 18 months to 6th grade.
The school aims to focus on educating a child in a traditional classroom but also adds project-based learning in an outdoor setting as well.
Summit School Head of School’s, Peter Holmstrom, says they found out they were selected as potential recipients earlier this month for their hands on approach to learning and a child’s whole environment.
Holmstrom says the money would completely change things for their facilities and would let them bring in new buildings, like a barn or greenhouse, that could be a learning space for their students and the surrounding community.
“We also have started a 4H program this year, so we ask what would it look like if we were able to renovate a barn to create a space that not just our students but maybe outside community, maybe homeschool students can also participate in a 4h program as we continue to grow and expand,” Holmstrom said.
The Yass Foundation said about choosing Summit Schools as a contender:
“The Summit School was chosen as a contender for the prestigious Yass Prize because of their innovative approach to individualized, faith-based education that blends outdoor, project-based learning with academic rigor and character formation on their impressive 35-acre campus. Summit School has the potential to expand access to their unique model, allowing more families across the state to choose an education that aligns with their values and their children’s needs.”
The final recipient of the prize out of the 23 schools will be revealed at a summit in Washington, D.C. on December 4th.
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