There are those who call Summit Christian Academy Broken Arrow's best kept secret.

It shouldn't be.

The growing education operation of the Broken Arrow Assembly serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Its high school offers an Advanced Placement and honors curriculum, there's a competitive athletic program beginning with third-grade participation and active drama, and choir entities.

"We fly under the radar a little bit, but we are growing fast and are near capacity," said Superintendent Dan Giddens, a 25-year veteran of Oklahoma education.

Summit has expanded 10 percent each of the last two years, which Giddens attributes to satisfied parents.

"Other than our Web site, word of mouth has been our major means of advertising. We have a great staff providing a great educational experience. So, our parents have been doing our marketing for us." he said.

To keep up with growing enrollment, Summit is undergoing a number of expansion projects, including a new elementary playground, elementary computer lab, new computers for its high school lab, a state-of-the-art science lab, a new Spanish classroom and a new football locker room.

"One of our top priorities is to provide quality facilities for our students and teachers," Development Director Roscoe Migliore said. "Computer knowledge and resources are important for college preparation, so the addition of a computer lab for elementary students and new computers for the high school were a priority. The science lab will be one of the best in the state."

Outside its classrooms, Summit is also making strides on playing fields. The hiring of head football coach Keith Bell, who has led such tradition-rich programs as Oklahoma City Millwood and Claremore, has turned heads statewide, according to Migliore.

A new football locker room and purchase of all new football equipment for third-graders on up to varsity players is a sign of Summit's commitment to excellence," Bell said.

The girls' volleyball team was one win away from going to the state tournament last year and the boys' basketball team is a pre-season Top 10 pick.

This article appeared in the Broken Arrow Ledger in August of 2008.

Summit Christian Academy:  BA's Best Kept Secret

By: Bob Lewis, Managing Editor