[2] In May 1992, the board named Tom Hensley as the first principal of the school, and construction began that summer according to designs by the William B. Ittner architectural firm.

[6][7] When built, Summit featured a two-story commons and atrium, 77 classrooms, several computer labs, and art, music and theater facilities.

[9] In 1998, Summit's first principal, Tom Hensley, retired after 26 years in the district; his replacement, Larry Berneking, transferred from Eureka High School.

[12] According to a construction manager, the Summit addition included 34,000 square feet of new space (six classrooms on two floors) for $2.7 million, and its auditorium was completed during the winter of 1999.

[12] As with the original building, the plans for the addition were completed by William B. Ittner, Inc., and the new auditorium and office space created a courtyard in front of the school.

[12] During the expansion, five boys from the nearby middle school vandalised the building, destroying drywall, throwing equipment into an orchestra pit, and pouring roofing glue on plumbing.

[15] The underground paper courted controversy when it published stories arguing in favor of an immediate invasion of Iraq, against the desegregation program, and a comparison of abortion with the Holocaust.