Summit Academy

Dentistry Career and Technical Education (CTE) Training 

Summit Academy is an accredited nonprofit career and technical education institute located in North Minneapolis that prepares students for careers in in-demand industries with well-paying starting wages. Its mission is to empower individuals to develop their ability to earn and become contributing citizens in their communities and economic drivers of the State of Minnesota.

Summit offers specializations and industry certifications for in-demand careers in Information Technology, Construction, Financial Services, and Healthcare through 20-week accredited programs, delivering academic rigor alongside marketable skills and connections to employers. Summit’s workforce-driven model also offers an accelerated 10-week GED program. Tuition is 100% covered for Summit students due to donor and foundation funding, along with resources through state and federal contracts and student financial aid grants. 

Summit is currently engaged in a strategic fundraising campaign to scale up its offerings for greater impact. As part of the campaign’s priority to grow training opportunities, Summit is planning a new Dentistry Career and Technical Education (CTE) training, providing students with the ability to secure work as unlicensed dental assistants or community dental health coordinators. Demand for these roles is expected to grow through 2030, with job openings for unlicensed dental assistants and community dental health workers increasing by 6% and 12.6% respectively. This projected long-term growth positions Summit to provide a rapidly-trained and skilled talent pool that industry recruiters can draw from now and in the years to come. Both career tracks in Summit’s Dentistry CTE training offer solid wages, with starting annual salaries averaging $40,000 to $50,000. Summit plans to launch its first class with a cohort of 25 students in September 2025 and anticipates 3 cohorts to receive training in its first year. 

Venn’s PRI will provide Summit with low-cost, patient working capital to support the launch of this new program.