Sumner Academy of Arts & Science
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, located in Kansas City, Kansas, is a public college-preparatory school that continues to prepare urban students for high-level university work. Created in response to a court desegregation mandate, Sumner Academy opened in the fall of 1978 at a time when increasing diversity, poverty levels and decreasing performance on test scores were widespread community concerns. While no longer bound by a desegregation order, Sumner continues to excel despite many challenges.
Despite these obstacles, Sumner Academy established at its conception and continues to maintain high behavioral and academic standards for students.
One key factor that significantly helps in maintaining Sumner Academy’s rigorous academic standing is the International Baccalaureate Program, introduced in 1987. The academy offers 20 different IB classes and over one third of the faculty has received extensive IB training. Although only juniors and seniors are eligible to take IB classes, the effect of the IB program permeates the Sumner Academy curriculum for all grade levels.
For example, it is not uncommon to hear eighth grade teachers explaining the importance of the IB curriculum to their students. Equally common is the array of ninth and tenth graders who take pre-IB courses with the anticipation of enrolling in future IB work. Overall, IB represents an externally held standard that all students and teachers know and recognize; it allows us to maintain and sharpen our focus on academic achievement.
Yet, Sumner Academy is not a place where students and teachers labor endlessly without joy. A refreshing level of energy and excitement uplifts students and faculty. Students and teachers willingly take on additional challenges to improve the students’ experiences at Sumner. Math teachers offer tutorial sessions in the summer to prepare new students; elective teachers offer to teach early morning classes or during their preparation period to accommodate students’ tight schedules; students volunteer numerous community service hours tutoring their peers at Sumner or at a neighboring elementary school; resource teachers willingly add to their case-load to assist borderline students. In addition, there are numerous clubs, sports and activities for students and over 90% of our students belong to at least one extra-curricular group. Teachers willingly sponsor these activities because they enjoy interacting with the students outside the classroom.
The Mission Statement of Sumner Academy states, “Sumner Academy of Arts and Science offers a college preparatory curriculum with educational experiences that promote responsibility, adaptability and lifelong learning to its diverse student body”. Sumner more than fulfills this mission while reaching beyond to create and maintain a haven where students and teachers are excited not only about learning but also about excelling
In the May 16, 2005 issue of Newsweek Magazine, Sumner Academy was named 75th in the "100 Best High Schools in America." This was the second time Sumner Academy was placed on the list; in 2004, Sumner Academy was listed in 99th place.
Sumner Alma Mater
Sumner Sabres, blue and silver,
We have pledged our hearts to thee
And we shall forge ahead in life
With truth and dignity.
Proudly facing each new day
We'll make our dreams a reality,
And we'll remember all our lives
Our Sumner Academy.
Fight Song
We are the Sumner Sabres.
To you we will be true.
We’ll stand and fight with all our might
For silver and blue.
All hail our alma mater.
Charge on to victory.
So fight, you mighty Sabres,
For our Sumner Academy.
