"Catch up credits" & Independent Studies
Academic Calendar & Rolling Admissions
Building Good Habits & a Balanced Lifestyle
SAT / ACT Preparation & College Applications
Educational Style & Philosophy
 Academic Plans       
Graduation Requirements
    Upon enrollment, a transcript evaluation, Master Goal Plan, and IGP (Individualized Goal Plan) are created and communicated to
    all parties involved to outline the program goals for each student.
    In order to truly be ready for college, students must fulfill their goals paralleling the 3 main
    objectives of New Summit Academy: Academics, Personal Growth, and Experiential
    Education.

24.00 Carnegie units (1.00 credit = 1 year course) of classes in the following areas:
    4.00         English
    3.00         Math
    3.00         Science
    3.50         Social Studies
    2.00         Foreign Language
    1.00         Art
    1.00         Health / PE (2.00 max)
    0.50         Computer Ed
    6.00         Electives

+ Fulfillment of the IGP goals and requirements for personal academic habits,  personal
growth, and experiential education.
Graduation ceremonies are held in March, June, September, and December.
    NSA mirrors the US calendar with fall (August to December) & spring (February to June) semesters divided into quarters to help
    students begin gaining credit no matter when they enroll at NSA.  Our teachers arrange our curriculum to accommodate students
    who may not enter at the beginning of the traditional school year.

    July & January are comprised of intensive study terms that are fun, educational, and credit-bearing experiences.  Examples in the
    past are units on health (including Wilderness First Aid certification courses), Incan History (including a trip to Macchu Picchu in
    Peru) and Mayan History (with trips to Mayan ruins in Central America).
    Teachers at New Summit Academy Costa Rica ascribe to Multiple Intelligences Theory
    developed by Howard Gardner.  Basically, M.I. Theory acknowledges that everyone can
    learn and engage in education if their individual interests, talents and strengths are
    recognized by teachers and incorporated into instructional and assessment procedures.  
    Gardner believes that the goal of learning is to understand and make information useful in
    the real world.  

    Gardner has currently identified 9 different learning styles, including…

    1. Verbal-Linguistic                  (Word smart),
    2. Mathematical-Logical          (Number/Pattern smart),
    3. Bodily-Kinesthetic                (Doing smart),
    4. Interpersonal                        (People smart),
    5. Intrapersonal                        (Self smart),
    6. Existential                              (World/Philosophy smart),
    7. Naturalist                               (Nature smart),
    8. Visual-Spatial                       (Picture smart)

  • Teachers engage students by teaching through various MI styles so that every student has
    the opportunity to connect to the material in a way that is relevant and makes sense to
    them.  
  • Teachers also build skills, confidence, and engagement by showcasing student strengths
    and improving student weaknesses by allowing flexibility and opening up options for
    students to choose and direct their own learning projects according to their particular
    interests, talents, and goals.  
  • Integration into experiential education projects and trips is also key to making education
    come alive for students.
  • Every day at New Summit Academy, we try to make learning interesting and meaningful at
    every opportunity.
    Preparation:
    Standardized test preparation seminars will be given on campus on a regular basis.  Students may
    use websites, study books, teachers, and any other resources available in order to help them prepare
    for the SAT or ACT.

    Registration:
    Students will be able to register for and take both the SAT and ACT exams in San Jose on
    international testing dates. Registration fees and travel expenses will be billed to parents.

    College Applications:
    We encourage all students to apply to at least 2 colleges or universities before graduating from New
    Summit Academy.    CLICK HERE to see a list of applications & acceptances

    New Summit Academy recommends that families continue to work with educational consultants
    regarding college choices as they have a much broader view of possibilities as well as a better idea
    of the long-term progress of the student.  However, New Summit staff will be available to work with
    consultants to help facilitate the application process with the student while he or she is on campus.
    Improving academic and work habits for independent living in college is essential.  In accordance with the Handbook and honor
    system, we insist that students make every effort to attend all classes on time, keep binders, planners, and notebooks
    organized, participate in study hours in the evenings, and participate in New Summit activities.  When students struggle with
    these tasks, Honor Council Meetings & student-created systems of support prevent students from "falling through the cracks."

    Learning how to balance one's life between work and play is important as both are necessary for healthy living.  We realize that
    some students may struggle with this more than others.  We do not seek perfection, but rather constant growth and progress.
    For students requiring "catch-up credits," independent studies through correspondence courses or one-on-one study plans with
    teachers are available, but they are only to be used in exceptional cases (such as a dire need to "catch up" or as an Honors
    student privilege) as we believe that teacher-student and peer interactions are key in the learning process.
Copyright 2005 New Summit Academy Costa Rica and directly affiliated owners. All Rights Reserved. Information & photos are strictly the property of New Summit Academy & are under strict
child welfare protection laws of Costa Rica and the United States of America.  Violators of these laws will be prosecuted.

Academic Accreditation
until 2014 from:





CEEB Codes:
834256 (NSA Costa Rica)
218169 (New Learning Resources District)
251419 (New Summit School)
...changing challenges into adventures!
Academics at NSA
The NSA academic staff is a team of teachers that
are dedicated to providing interesting, engaging,
supportive, and challenging curriculum as well as
individualized support to our students. NSA
implements a traditional schedule and college prep
requirements to prepare students for high school
graduation. By adding Multiple Intelligences and a
global perspective in our teaching, students have
the opportunity to really challenge their minds,
perspectives, and learning methods to become
life-long learners and global citizens.