Blog Posts - New Summit Academy Costa Rica

Looking Ahead at New Summit Academy

3/17/2018

The next two weeks are exciting ones for our students, families and staff of NSA! Newer students will be off adventuring and relaxing in the untouched forests of Sarapiqui and on the shores of Lake Arenal. They will be spending the week zip-lining, playing soccer, stand-up paddle boarding and horseback riding in some of the most beautiful areas of the country.

Another group of students will be traveling to South Africa for two weeks of impactful cultural immersion and community building.

Next week, our students and staff will be hard at work studying and applying their learning hands-on in their efforts to earn their Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and CPR certifications. Stay tuned for stories and photos from these upcoming activities!

NSA Celebrates our Spring Graduation

3/16/2018

Four young men celebrated their journeys and growth this week as they return to their families with program certificates and high school diplomas.

These seniors deserve our recognition as they begin the next phases in their journeys, which include one graduate enrolling in Montana State University with a merit scholarship, another considering (among many choices) Tulane University, where he was invited to join the Honors Program, and the others ready to test their new skills returning to complete high school in their home towns.

Congratulations to our graduates; we are proud of you and look forward to your many certain successes!

Global Citizenship Focus on Human Rights

3/10/2018

NSA’s students have the opportunity to investigate the eight facets of Global Citizenship and to integrate driving questions and themes about the facets into each of their classes. This quarter, our workshop focused on Human Rights, and the students chose the timely and important topic of water access rights.

Staff from each department contributed to the investigation and reporting ofwater access and Human Rights in the United States, South Africa (where seven of our students will be traveling with the school this week), and in our home of Atenas, Costa Rica.

Culminating projects consisted of analyses of issues and proposed solutions, as well as a plan to join Atenas in its efforts to improve water access for our neighbors.

College Acceptances & Scholarships Rolling In

3/2/2018

The excitement is palpable as our seniors receive almost daily decisions about their college applications.

Recent acceptances have included:

Queen Mary University of London, Belmont University, the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Engineering, Trinity University, Tulane University, the University of Denver, Marquette University, Loyola of Chicago, and Duquesne University.

To this date, our seniors have been offered a combined total of over $890,000.00 in merit scholarships. Congratulations, Seniors!

Spring Graduates Prepare for Transition

2/27/2018

Months ago, NSA’s spring graduates began the extensive process of preparing for their transition back to life in the U.S. – be it a return to high school or enrollment in college in the fall.

Our Transition Program, led by a dedicated team, guides students and their families in “getting real” with what the coming months will hold, while helping students develop concrete skills and support structures for continued success.

Elements of the Transition Program include:

- A comprehensive Transition Plan created by students, their families and their team, which details expectations, goals and steps, and needed support that receives weekly feedback

- A series of Life Skills Workshops chosen by the students that may include Safe Travel, Finances and Budgeting, Sex and Dating, Car Maintenance, or Independent Living Skills

- A Transition Family Workshop on-campus engaging students and families in four days of therapeutic and transition work

- Opportunities to develop and put to the test greater responsibilities and freedoms in our off-campus Transition House

The Transition Program is one of many key efforts at NSA that help prepare students for continued success in their next steps, and we appreciate the energy and support of our graduates, their families, and the Transition Team.

New Summit Academy & The Bridge at NATSAP

2/17/2018

NSA and The Bridge have been not only long-time members of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), but innovators leading the way toward more effective and enriching models of engagement and growth for young people.

At this year’s national NATSAP conference in Tampa, our programs collaborated to facilitate four different presentations, which included:

- Martin Naffziger and Kelly Weld speaking about how investment in a rigorous Academic program can develop stronger Therapeutic offerings

- Dr. Heather Tracy and Mario Duran presenting on how to balance student empowerment with administrative needs

- Dr. Danny Recio discussing his recently-published article in the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs titled Coming of Age in Foreign Lands

- Martin Naffziger presenting in collaboration with Montana Academy on innovative structures in education and the responsibility that therapeutic programs have to develop strong Academics

All of our Supportive Immersion programs will continue forward with industry-leading standards of education, personal growth and experiential education!

February Integrated Aventura Highlights

2/13/2018

Students spent last week on one of our signature Integrated Aventuras -- expeditions throughout Costa Rica where students engage in experiential learning and personal growth alongside our dedicated therapists, teachers and Experiential Education mentors.

The Aventura program begins at sea level with students “giving back” to the Costa Rican community through volunteer work with Osa Conservation. Students plant trees, build trails, and patrol the beaches for nesting sea turtles.

A few high points from the community service Aventura:

-Nightly presentations from working scientists about research on canopy animals, hermit crabs, big cat tracking and water quality testing
-Safely relocating over 70 sea turtle eggs & releasing 70 baby hatchlings
-Encountering anteaters, coatimundi and a beautiful (and rare) puma!

Students then participate in the Kayak Aventura, circumnavigating the Golfo Dulce while camping along its undeveloped shores.
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Memorable moments from this journey include:
-Watching turtles and dolphin swim alongside students’ kayaks
-Fishing with hand lines for snapper, mackerel and tuna
-Snorkeling in the coral reef at Los Mogos, two islands whose name means “the specks”
-Being surrounded by natural beauty and seeing rainbows nearly every day

After the Kayak Aventura, students spend a week hiking in the protected jungles of Corcovado National Park, learning about biological relationships and rainforest succession.

Students and staff reported some of their fondest memories:
-The teamwork and support shown by the group members during the challenging hike
-Impressive focus on the group’s goals
-Being blown away by the diversity of animal and plant life

The final Integrated Aventura before students climb Chirripo Mountain is a trekking and rafting expedition in Costa Rica’s cloud forests.

Highlights of this trip included:
-Student engagement with absolutely zero complaining!
-Students pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones while navigating whitewater rapids
-The valuable peer feedback given and received within the group

Balancing Administrative Need for Risk Management with Student Need for Empowerment

2/2/2018

Presentation at NATSAP 2018 Annual Conference - by Mario Duran and Heather Tracy

Student Reflections on NSA Experience

2/1/2018

This month, our community of New Summit Academy proudly celebrated 13 YEARS of working together to fulfill our mission of nurturing students to become more relationship-based, goal-driven, resourceful global citizens.

To commemorate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some student testimonials from these amazing times. We hope you enjoy!

“Happy Anniversary NSA! Celebrate the fact that you are providing something more than anyone there realizes.  You are giving everyone there a chance to step away from what life is really like and grow in a controlled environment, a place where they can learn to love and trust themselves.”
-Tyler, Class of 2006

“At NSA I was given so many opportunities to improve my self-esteem. I left NSA with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which helped me get past insecurities and fears back at home.”
-Luke, Class of 2007

“I remember how real Mario and the rest of the staff were with us. I was told many things I didn't want to hear, and really felt that I was treated with respect (when I deserved it, and even sometimes when I didn't).”   - Matt, Class of 2008

“The experiences I received in Costa Rica with NSA were invaluable and irreplaceable. I grew from a naive and immature boy to a young man who is motivated and destined for success.”
- Evan, Class of 2009

“When I think about NSA the first thing I remember is the Aventuras. Those were some of the most enlightening and insightful experiences that I have ever partaken in.”
- Billy, Class of 2010

“I don’t think NSA makes you a different person. I think that NSA makes you the person you have always been meant to be.”
- Rory, Class of 2010

“I think the most important aspect which NSA taught me which I still use today, is to simply be myself!”
- Johnny, Class of 2012

Happy 13th Anniversary NSA!

1/23/2018

On January 22nd, 2018, the staff and the students of NSA gathered to celebrate the 13th anniversary of NSA. We shared in gratitude for all of the collaborators, students, and parents; the whole NSA community for seeing this reality of time and commitment together.
Thank you! And to many more years to come!

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