Prepared

A blueprint for how parents can stop worrying about their children’s future and start helping them prepare for it, from the cofounder and CEO of one of America’s most innovative public-school networks

BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • “A treasure trove of deeply practical wisdom that accords with everything I know about how children thrive.”—Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author of Grit
 
An educator and mother, Diane Tavenner cofounded the first Summit school in 2003. Summit Public Schools has won national recognition because 99 percent of Summit students get into a four-year college, and Summit students finish college at twice the national average. But in a radical departure from the environments created by the college admissions arms race, Summit students aren’t focused on competing with their classmates for rankings or test scores. Instead, students spend their days solving real-world problems and developing the skills of self-direction, collaboration, and reflection, all of which prepare them to succeed in college, thrive in today’s workplace, and lead a secure and fulfilled life. 

Today, thousands of educators, tens of thousands of students, and hundreds of schools across thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia have embraced the Summit model. 

Through personal stories and the hard-earned lessons of Summit’s exceptional team of educators and diverse students, Diane Tavenner shares the underlying learning philosophies and unconventional wisdom that lead to all children being prepared for school and life.

Praise for Prepared

“In a world filled with lots of parenting advice, Prepared cuts through the noise, offering a no-nonsense guide for raising curious, confident kids. Diane shares the secret sauce behind Summit’s success and how we can make sure that all kids can have the same opportunity.”—Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools

“Prepared is compelling and actionable. It tells the story of why we all must do this work. We must prepare every child, not allow luck or circumstance to dictate their future—and ours.”—Dr. Priscilla Chan, CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, pediatrician, and mother

“Diane Tavenner is one of the leading thinkers in education today—her energy and insights are infectious. There is no one better to think big about what kids need, and who can roll up her sleeves to make it happen.”—Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy

Diane Tavenner is the cofounder and CEO of Summit Public Schools, a nationally recognized nonprofit that operates fifteen middle and high schools in California and Washington. She developed a school model centered on real-world experiences, self-direction, collaboration, and reflection—preparing all students to succeed in college, thrive in today’s workplace, and lead a secure and fulfilled life. Summit has earned many accolades and distinctions, most notably America’s Best High Schools from U.S. News & World Report, America’s Most Challenging High Schools by The Washington Post, and one of the world’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Education by Fast Company. A lifelong educator, Tavenner spent a decade as a school teacher, administrator, and leader in traditional urban and suburban public schools throughout California. She is on the board of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. She has a degree in psychology and sociology from USC and a master’s in administration and policy from Stanford University.