We are all always part of a community, and often we are part of several communities at one time. Our families, schools, towns, countries and the world influence who we are and how we can contribute. NSA offers a community that values positive social impact, connection, engagement, diversity and growth. Besides the exciting Experiential Education opportunities offered on campus and off campus, the personal growth component of community is offered through several groups throughout the week. Each student must attend IGP group and Aventura group as well as one more thematic group of their choice.  Oftentimes, students will start their own groups and clubs based on student interest and common themes. 

To facilitate becoming a positive community member, a student: 
  • Participates in the Orientation Program during the first few weeks after enrollment
  • Attends groups, some mandatory and some optional
    • Mandatory groups: IGP group, Aventura cohort group
    • Optional Thematic Groups (must choose at least 1): Root-Ed Group, My Group of Choice, Sober Savages, Tranquilo Group, Identity Group, Unplugged Group
  • Participates in other students' Honor Council Meetings to provide feedback and support
  • Participates in our Aventura program
  • Participates in academics and experiential education activities on campus and off campus
  • Participates in the credit system (completing community chores and participating in a variety of healthy activities) to earn allowance
  • Takes on leadership positions such as running for Student Council or mentoring new students
  • Participates in our Transition Program near his time of graduation
New Summit Academy's SCAFA (Self, Community and Future Assessment©) is the product of years of experience and research that resulted in the development of our tool to assess individual growth based on integrated holistic goals. Development began after exploring and attempting to find a measurement of growth that was strengths-based and holistic rather than overly focused on reduction of negative symptoms. A multi-disciplinary committee at NSA developed an assessment that attempts to measure growth and progress in various categories of self, community and future preparation. Please see the SCAFA page (Current Parents) for more details.
Here are the 4 categories in which we set goals and assess for a healthy Community member: 
  • Social Impact
  • Relationship Connection
  • Social Skills
  • Engagement