Preparing for one's future requires the development of many skills as well as the harnessing of passions and interests to create motivation. At NSA, we incorporate executive functioning skills into many of our activities and processes. Sparking interest and emotional connection, setting goals, planning actions, organizing materials, managing time, following through, self-monitoring and changing course as needed, and achieving results are the keys to successful executive function. By practicing these skills with scaffolding and support, students learn much more than they would if we were "teaching" these skills as  regular academic skill class. 

To prepare for one's future, a student: 

• Sets individual SCAFA goals with their Individual Goal Plan (IGP) advising team each quarter and meets with advising team members weekly to assess progress
• Completes a SCAFA self assessment every quarter and reviews others' SCAFA assessment feedback in order to set goals for the next quarter
• Learns from integrated executive functioning skill-building practice in all areas of NSA--academics, experiential education, student life, and personal growth
• Participates in our integrated Global Citizenship Program
• Takes on positive leadership positions through activities such as mentoring peers, participating in Student Council, creating or leading clubs and activities, writing proposals for healthy community improvement, and participating in Honor Council Meetings
• Learns to communicate, self-advocate, and become a resourceful and productive global citizen
• Builds resilience by participating in many activities outside of his comfort zone
• Participates in our 10 week long Transition Program and develops a thorough Transition Plan during the quarter before 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 our own assessment which 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 Future:

• Initiative
• Executive Functioning
• Resilience
• Contributions