Fast Facts

Therapeutic Services

Individual therapy at least 1 hour / week, often more
Group therapy 1-3 hours a week with optional thematic groups
Weekly update calls between advisors and parents
Skype calls scheduled around 30 min/week (or more) between students and family members
Conference coaching calls with students, therapist, and parents as scheduled
New family workshop (typically 2-4 months after enrollment) in person (or virtually as a pandemic adjustment)
Transition family workshop (typically 6-8 weeks before graduation) in person (or virtually as a pandemic adjustment)
Therapist Case Load Average = 4 to 8
Therapeutic Philosophy: Humanistic, holistic, integrative, empowering, family systems, process-based, growth mindset & skill development
Psychiatrist services available at extra cost
Full time nurse on staff

Grades 9-12
College Prep
Year round schooling that mirrors US system - 4 quarters (Fall and Spring Semester)
Number of Teachers = 5 full time + part-time arts + Academic Director / certified College Counselor
Class Sizes = 1 to 12 students per class
Classes Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 2:40pm with breaks every 2 hours for snacks / rest
Technology: Each student has a designated Chromebook for academic work (mostly offline but regularly synching G Suite for Education accounts and research).
College Counseling offered on site for additional price
Tutoring included in tuition
Academic Philosophy: Strengths-based approaches with Challenge-Based Learning to develop PROPS and 21st Century skills.

Weekend recreational activities often integrating service, nature, and classroom projects
Physical education (team and individual sports) & personal training
Student-run clubs
Empowered Student Government
Integrated Aventuras (4 per year, mandatory for all students)
Recreational Aventuras during school breaks (for students who do not go home during break)
Cultural Immersion program = Besides regular integration and activities in our local hometown, we offer cultural immersion outings, integration of cultural immersion into integrated school projects, and the Home stay program for students who are interested.
Personal Technology: offline personal music device from day 1 + gradually increasing access to personal internet time (including eventual check out and check in of personal smart phone with wifi access)

Transition Program = Specific workshops, transition planning and groups related to transition (for students graduating the program)

From January 2005 - July 2020, NSA and The Bridge have enrolled 467 young men.
Our staff retention is one of the best in the field.
- 32% of our current staff joined NSA before or during 2010.
- 75% of our current staff joined before or during 2015.
- We are a family dedicated to each other so that we can create a home away from home for our students and their families.

Ages 14-18, most students are 16-17 years old
All Male
Length of Stay = 9-18 months
Average Length of Stay = 10-12 months
Maximum enrollment = 32 students on NSA's campus
- Pandemic adjustment: Maximum of 24-28 students total on campus
Rolling Admissions
English-speaking

Small town (population 25,000) in mountainous area. 1 hour from the beach, 30 minutes from Juan Santamaria (code SJO) airport near San Jose
Privately owned 6 acre campus full of gardens, green areas, fruit trees, plants, birds, and the occasional visiting troop of monkeys :)
4 dorm houses: Each dorm house consists of 2 rooms (4 students each) with shared porch, college-style bathroom and laundry room.
Academic Building; 5 classrooms, 1 academic resource room & large common area for events
Music & Documentary Film Studio
Administrative building with gym, lounge areas, kitchen, dining hall, and offices
Student Club House with student kitchen, computer/internet area, therapist offices, TV room, and pool & ping pong area.
Transition House off site for up to 9 students (currently suspending Transition House operations during the COVID-19 pandemic)

Private ownership (5 founders) - Owners on site
At capacity, 53+ Employees (mix of local Costa Ricans, USA employees, & other nationalities as well!)
All employees undergo background checks
No official religious affiliation, but spiritual connectedness supported and encouraged
Billing / Finances:
- Tuition paid monthly
- Last month's tuition deposit required at enrollment
- Ancillary Account deposit required
- Visa Fee Required. Custody remains with legal guardians but student visa paperwork requires signing limited Power of Attorney documents for emergencies
- Insurance reimbursement depends on family insurance plan
- Scholarship Fund provides around $50,000 a year in scholarships. Application required. 12+ month commitment required.