In contrast to most private schools, which are independently operated, Summit is tuition-free[7][disputed – discuss] and accepts students from all five boroughs of New York City, as well as from Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.

The school employs a faculty of 150 professionals, including a student to teacher-assistant to special education (or related content area) teacher ratio of 12 to 1.5 to 1,[8] and a staff of social workers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, reading specialists, and 1 to 1 aides as needed.

[8] When assigning students into their classes, the school "take[s] into consideration age, IQ range, language facility, management needs, reading and math levels, prior friendships, and personality traits.

Students who maintain consistently high points receive approval into the school's Honor Code program in which they have the opportunity to participate in specialized day trips and outings.

[16] The guidance counselor also helps students discover potential career aspirations and assists with their future college planning or other post-secondary endeavors.

For the students who are accepted, their parents are obligated to sign a contract for "approval of funding from the New York City Department of Education or [their] local school district.

[20] The paper was founded in January 2010, and is primarily student organized, which discusses school activities, sports, current events, and opinion pieces.