Summit begins middle-school seminar series tonight

Tonight’s topic is “What Makes an Effective Middle School,” featuring keynote speaker Judith Baenen of the National Middle School Association. As lead representative for the association, Baenen works with private and public schools in transitioning from a junior-high to a middle-school philosophy.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Discovery Center, 438 St. Louis St. It is free and open to the public.

The Summit has three other symposiums in this series scheduled during the fall. Dates and topics are:

• Sept. 20, “Motivating Middle School Students,” featuring David Jackson from the Glaser Institute;

• Oct. 25, “How Middle School Students Learn Most Effectively,” featuring Donald Hamby from Missouri State University; and

• A to-be-determined date in November, “How to Cope as a Parent of a Middle School Student,” featuring psychologist Dr. Fran Anderson.

The Summit is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. The private school opened in fall 2005 and operates inside Wesley United Methodist Church, 922 W. Republic Road.