[ SACS Description | SACS History | SACK Description | Contact Information ]

Summit Area Community School (SACS) Description

The Summit Area Community School (SACS) is a non-profit, independent organization offering enrichment opportunities to the residents of Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and surrounding communities. Adult classes are offered during the day, evening, and Saturdays to residents of at least high school age. Through the Summit Area Community Kids (SACK) program, Saturday morning enrichment classes are available for children Grades 1-4.

A wide variety of adult classes are available, including:

....over 150 courses per semester!

Classes are offered at the following locations:

Catalogs are mailed in August for the fall semester, which begins at the end of September, and in mid-November for the spring semester, which begins at the end of January. Catalogs are automatically sent to all residents of Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, Springfield and Gillette. Others should call the school to be put on the mailing list.

Registration is by mail or in person; call the school at (908) 273-1141 for information. There is a registration station on the circulation desk at the Summit Library, including registration materials and a drop box.

SACS History

It was on the initiative of the Superintendent of Summit Schools that a meeting was convened in December 1974 to explore the need for adult education in Summit and how this need might be met. In the summer of 1975, the Summit Area Community Council and the Board of Education cooperated in sponsoring the Summit Sharing Workshops, a pilot program of adult classes taught by volunteers. The success of the Workshops inspired the establishment in May 1976 of the Summit Area Community Council/Board of Education "Task Force for a Community School."

The positive conclusions of the Task Force resulted in the proposal for seed money funding, submitted to the Junior League's Project Research Committee in October 1976 by Task Force Chairman Gina Dingle and Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerard Murphy, a member of the Task Force. It was clear at this time that the school system was willing to contribute services and facilities, but was unwilling to take the risk of contributing funds. The Junior League made a two-year total grant of $6,000 with the understanding that the Board of Education would allow continuing use of classroom facilities.

The Summit Area Community School opened its doors in September 1977 with 28 classes and 475 students, with Jacqueline Graham Wall as part-time director. Mrs. Wall retired in May 1994.

At present, the School offers over 150 classes and receives over 2900 registrations per semester. A Saturday morning children's program (Summit Area Community Kids-- SACK) was begun in February of 1996. Kathryn Smith is the full-time director. The office is in the Summit Library.

Summit Area Community Kids (SACK) Description

The Summit Area Community Kids (SACK) program consists of six weeks each semester of enrichment classes for children Grades 1-4. The classes are held Saturdays from 9:00AM to noon at Summit Middle School, 272 Morris Avenue, starting at the beginning of October and again at the beginning of February. A variety of topics are offered, including:

....and other topics of interest to children. Classes are open to all children regardless of the town of residence. The list of courses and registration forms are included in the adult catalog which is distributed at the beginning of August and the middle of November. Call the school at (908) 273-1141 for more information.

Contact Information

For information or a catalog, contact the Summit Area Community School at:
P.O. Box 532
Summit, NJ 07902-0532

Phone: (908) 273-1141
Fax: (908) 273-8004

Director: Kathryn M. Smith