summary ofPreparedBook by Diane Tavenner

first KEY POINT

School skills = life success?

Let's say your child just graduated valedictorian, got into their dream college, and... drops out after one semester because they can't handle real-world decisions. This isn't rare — it's an epidemic. While traditional schools teach kids to follow instructions, Diane Tavenner — co-founder of Summit Public Schools — discovered something shocking: the skills that get you good grades are often the opposite of what makes you successful in life.In this summary, you'll discover the revolutionary methods Summit Schools uses to prepare students not just for college, but for the messy, unpredictable reality of adult life. You'll learn specific frameworks you can implement today — whether you're a parent wanting to raise resilient kids or an educator ready to challenge the status quo.And here's what's fascinating. When Summit Schools first opened, conventional wisdom said their approach would never work. Critics predicted chaos. Instead, something remarkable happened.The first Summit Preparatory High School graduation in 2007 looked nothing like a traditional ceremony. No rows of anonymous students in matching caps and gowns. Every graduate from their first class walked across the stage differently. Not alone, but flanked by their mentor groups — small teams of students and teachers who'd weathered four years together — and a parent who'd been actively involved in their journey.But here's the twist. Many of these kids struggled before attending Summit. Learning disabilities. Family instability. Academic failures. Yet something in those four years transformed not just their grades, but their entire approach to challenges.

Fueled by her experience as a teacher, vice principal, and mother, Diane Tavenner realized something crucial: we're preparing kids for a world that no longer exists. The skills that helped our grandparents succeed, such as following directions, memorizing facts, and staying quiet, are exactly what artificial intelligence does better than humans.

Every child can be successful when we stop teaching them to be human computers and start teaching them to be human leaders. Stick around to learn the specific methods that transform struggling students into confident decision-makers, critical thinkers, and collaborative problem-solvers.