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Parent Satisfaction Survey Results
We are currently (2024) surveying alumni and parents and will update these satisfaction survey results soon. However, to see our 2018 results of parents of NSA students since 2005, see below:
He is doing great! School is good ( A's & B+ in Art). The teachers & admin seem to love him. "He is empathic." He has a girlfriend. He works in a coffee shop, both of which keep him out of trouble. ACT/SAT prep (his choice) starts tonight. He has already come up with a short list of colleges. We will visit them in April. All I can say is, Thank you! He is not the kid we sent you. He now acts like a happy, responsible adult. 
NSA taught both our son and our family so much. It was a great step for our son and one that is still serving him today. We definitely see the skills and tools he learned at NSA at work in his life as he navigates the journey. The "normalcy" of the day to day environment, the Aventuras, the experiences, the staff, the academic element - all helped build a great sense of self confidence in our son. 
NSA accomodated our family therapy approach to working with our son. The whole staff cares deeply about what they are doing. Our son connected with many staff members, which allowed him to trust both the staff and the program itself. He changed throughout the year, due to his counseling with [his therapist] and the experiential learning during his classes. The Aventura trips gave him great confidence, and a chance to shine in certain areas outside of the classroom. NSA offered an experience that he will always remember and appreciate. 
Highlights: Learning and growing as a parent, observing my son's growth, and enjoying the remarkable faculty and staff. Highlights: He learned that he can accomplish goals he set for himself. He gained leadership skills. He learned to communicate and stand up for himself. He had learned gratitude. 
Seeing my son grow through the experience as a result of peer involvement, an excellent therapist, Aventuras, and home stay families. I cannot overstate the value I place on this experience, both for my son, myself, and our family. I didn't realize I had things to learn and to do differently. I always thought I was a good parent. This experience taught me that I can't just be the parent I want to be, I need to be the parent my son needs. It was through the family work with our therapist that I learned some difficult truths about myself. I will be forever grateful for [his therapist] for being painfully honest with me. It allowed me to really grow as an individual and to see the parenting journey in a different light. I think when a child goes off the rails, it is too easy to think they are the ones that need to be "fixed." In fact we all need help! Learning about my self as a parent, when he embraced the process and learnt to believe in himself, learnt to be resilient, our family is stronger because of our learning through this experience. Every aspect of our experience was incredible. I cannot imagine there being a better program. |
He graduated from San Jose State University in May, with a degree in Child Development. He intends to seek a teaching credential, but has yet to button up where. He’s spent the last several years working for the YMCA, first as a life guard at their summer camp program in the Sierras, south of Yosemite, then as an after-school counselor in Redwood City, where he continues to work after his “day job” as a substitute teacher in the Redwood City School system. 
He's doing really well. He has a major load this year in 11th grade, but is really on top of his school work! He just took that ACT (for the first time), and has been handling studying for that, along with his academic responsibilities, and of course, debate! 
The major highlight is the personal growth we saw in our son. He had some past experiences which he needed to face and without the wonderful staff he would not have been able to do so. Our communication with his counselor and others in the school was absolutely fabulous - warm, clear and understanding. His counselor won his trust, not an easy nut to crack, and was somehow magically able to reach him in just the most extraordinary manner. I could sing our praises of NSA forever but the bottom line is that we now have a son who is successful as a person. He knows and feels love and is contributing to the world. We are so very proud of the person he is. WE owe so very much to NSA and its wonderful staff! - NSA Parent 
I think the aventuras increased his confidence and helped him build friendships. But he had many experiences at NSA that improved his skills in managing life’s challenges. The relationships my son developed throughout his time at NSA were extremely valuable. The teachers and support staff all helped make his learning experience at NSA the best!! The Adventuras, working with the orphanage, the host families all are once in a lifetime experiences!! 
My highlight is "getting my son back"! NSA created and allowed the environment for my son to grow and heal. We just moved our son into his college dorm and experienced him a healthy man. Thank you Team NSA! The dedicated staff. On every occasion, the NSA teachers and staff were professional, kind, and supportive. Connecting with the other families: We have so much in common, and our sons share a special bond. The homestay program and cultural aspects: Guiselle and her family are sweet people. Frequent contact with [our son] and his Costa Rican life: Cluster was great for seeing in near real-time what was going on, and regular Skypes and campus visits and home visits kept us connected. 
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