Summit Preparatory School is accredited by the State of Montana, Board of Public Education, the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), and is a Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS) candidate school.
The seed for Summit Preparatory School was planted twenty-five years ago at Trinity College in Illinois in conversations between college roommates Rick Johnson and Alexander Habib.
“We always talked about wanting to do something to help kids," said Summit Board Chairman Alexander Habib.
"We started talking about it in college, and over the years just kept the dream alive.” That dream came to fruition in March, 2003 when Summit opened its doors to its first students.
Of the “Special Purpose" schools serving approximately three to five thousand students in Montana, Summit is currently the only school to receive state accreditation.
The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools is one of six similar regional associations in the United States which accredits schools and colleges.
The Northwest region includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- School Type: Alternative School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 34 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Student Body
Total Students
34 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 17%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
8 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
School Notes
- Summit Preparatory School is accredited by the State of Montana, Board of Public Education, the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), and is a Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS) candidate school. The seed for Summit Preparatory School was planted twenty-five years ago at Trinity College in Illinois in conversations between college roommates Rick Johnson and Alexander Habib. “We always talked about wanting to do something to help kids," said Summit Board Chairman Alexander Habib. "We started talking about it in college, and over the years just kept the dream alive.” That dream came to fruition in March, 2003 when Summit opened its doors to its first students. Of the “Special Purpose" schools serving approximately three to five thousand students in Montana, Summit is currently the only school to receive state accreditation. The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools is one of six similar regional associations in the United States which accredits schools and colleges. The Northwest region includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Summit Preparatory School often compared to?
Summit Preparatory School is often viewed alongside schools like Montana Academy by visitors of our site.
When is the application deadline for Summit Preparatory School?
The application deadline for Summit Preparatory School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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