Summit Road STEM Elementary

Entity Type: Elementary School
Region: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Grades: K-5
Number of Students: 420

Spotlight School Focus Areas: Learner-Centered Instruction and Supportive Culture

Transformation should feel exciting and empowering.

The Goal

Inquiry-Based, STEM-Focused Education

Summit Road STEM Elementary is dedicated to cultivating a learning environment that emphasizes curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Situated beside a natural wetlands area, the school uses its environment as a living classroom bringing science, engineering, and environmental literacy to life.

Building an Inclusive Learning Community

The school’s inclusive culture and strong relationships among staff, students, and families have made it one of the district’s most in-demand campuses. Family engagement is central to the school’s model and STEM Nights invite parents to collaborate with students using Summit’s signature design cycle, reinforcing shared values of curiosity, collaboration, and creativity.

Best Practices for Student-Centered Learning

In 2022, Summit implemented a project-based learning (PBL) model. This shift strengthened the school’s capacity to deliver student-centered instruction across grade levels, empowering students to take ownership of their learning while developing critical skills.

The Work

Integrating STEM and Environmental Learning

STEM learning at Summit is immersive, hands-on, and integrated across content areas. Students learn coding, participate in engineering design challenges, and engage in environmental studies that utilize the school’s wetlands. The Innovation Station—Summit’s dedicated Maker Space—offers opportunities for hands-on creation, invention, and collaboration that mirror the work of real scientists and engineers. Classroom teachers utilize the innovation station as an extension of the classroom.

The Engineering Design Cycle in Action

Students engage in projects guided by the engineering design process—imagine, plan, design, improve, and share—which shapes every phase of their learning journey. For example, first-grade students used recycled materials to complete a design challenge, drafting plans, building prototypes, and reflecting on their process. Teachers facilitated discussions around problem-solving and iteration, helping students link creativity to engineering principles.

Sustaining a Supportive Culture

Summit promotes habits of mind such as perseverance, compassion, and teamwork. A schoolwide system reinforces positive behaviors, encouraging students to model empathy and leadership. The result is a joyful, inclusive community where learners feel known, supported, and celebrated for their unique strengths.

Curiosity in Action: Building the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

Empowered Educators

Adopted the New Tech Network PBL model to strengthen student-centered, inquiry-based learning.

Teachers integrate cross-disciplinary STEM lessons using the Innovation Station to connect theory with practice.

Family STEM Nights and professional learning communities deepen collaboration between staff and families.

Engaged Schools

Students lead through inquiry and innovation, applying the design process to real-world challenges.

High family participation and district demand demonstrate community trust and enthusiasm for Summit’s model.

Students develop strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through project-based, hands-on learning.