The Summit Prep School partners with Discovery Center

The Summit Preparatory School of Southwest Missouri has partnered with The Discovery Center to work the museum's interactive programs and materials into the school's curriculum.

When The Summit's 2009-10 school year starts Aug. 19, students in grades 6-10 will meet at the museum four days a week for instruction. There will be an emphasis on global science and global math, and eventually an increased focus on Spanish and French languages and other cultural experiences, according to a news release. On Fridays, the classes will include job shadowing, special field trips, working with younger student groups, community work and senior internships.

Students in grades K-5 will remain at The Summit's current location but will visit the museum regularly for field experience.

The arrangement initially came out of The Summit's need for additional space, but Discovery Center Marketing Director Charlotte McCoy said officials soon saw the program's potential.

"Other schools should be using us the same way The Summit is," McCoy said in the release. "We're thrilled The Summit recognized what the Discovery Center has to offer and had the idea to come to us and take advantage of it."

In addition to having access to two classrooms on the museum's fourth floor, the school will be able to use the center's World Wise gallery and will be given Institutional memberships for all students and teachers. That will allow them access to the entire exhibit area and lab space and the ability to visit the museum after school hours.

About 115 students are expected to be enrolled at The Summit this year. Officials said they hope the new program will help recruit more.[[In-content Ad]]