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It broke our hearts to hear that our beloved Hogar de Vida is facing some big problems and has a big ask. Message from Hogar de Vida: Since 2014 in the child-focused culture of Costa Rica, PANI (Costa Rica's child protective services) has from time-to-time issued new requirements for increased staffing of the children's home. In May, another quite large increase was announced. While well-meaning, this increase was particularly difficult to meet, especially under threat of having the operating permit revoked. At about the same time, the Costa Rican government and department of labor issued new labor laws and regulations affecting pay and labor practices across the entire country. To make matters even worse, PANI announced in the fall that the annual Christmas grant to children's homes, usually $25,000 - $35,000 would not be paid this year. Without intervention, the collective cost to Homes of Life would be a devastating increase in expenses amounting to many thousands of dollars per month, not including the loss of the one-time Christmas grant.
Our families, staff, and friends have amazed us with their generosity! Thank you for your holiday spirit in donating to an amazing cause to help children in need. These children at Hogar make a HUGE impact on our students, and we're sure the feeling is mutual. If you'd like to donate, please follow the link below and make sure you choose the Costa Rica program. Thank you!!
Make sure the button you choose for PayPal / credit card looks like this -->
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NSA’s seniors have been hard at work on applications, essays, and resumes, and are beginning to see results.
Students who submitted applications in the early rounds have received some of their decisions, and have been accepted to some great schools, including Goucher, Loyola of Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Portland, and Christopher Newport University.
These schools have so far offered more than $115,000.00 in merit scholarships to these talented seniors!
Students who submitted applications in the early rounds have received some of their decisions, and have been accepted to some great schools, including Goucher, Loyola of Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Portland, and Christopher Newport University.
These schools have so far offered more than $115,000.00 in merit scholarships to these talented seniors!
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At NSA, our Thanksgiving celebration is about dinner with family and friends, but also about giving back and engaging with our community to express our gratitude.
Students began the Thanksgiving week participating in a Global Citizenship workshop focused on Social Justice and investigating issues that are important to them.
With this Social Justice perspective, staff and students then participated in a number of days of community service.
On Monday, students spent the morning cooking and serving at Caritas, a local organization that provides up to 60 lunches seven days a week for locals in need.
That afternoon, we got our hands dirty, performing garden beautification work at our local elementary school.
The following day, students volunteered by running a much-appreciated Bingo game at Hogar de Ancianos, Atenas’ retirement home.
Wednesday morning had students in the kitchen, working to prepare a turkey lunch to deliver to the kids at Hogar de Vida. In between serving lunch, cleaning up, and playing with the kids, some of our Spanish students entertained everyone with a presentation on Thanksgiving traditions.
On Thanksgiving Day, students and staff returned to the kitchen, but this time to prepare delicious food for our Thanksgiving dinner celebration.
We would like to express our thanks to every member of our NSA extended family!
With this Social Justice perspective, staff and students then participated in a number of days of community service.
On Monday, students spent the morning cooking and serving at Caritas, a local organization that provides up to 60 lunches seven days a week for locals in need.
That afternoon, we got our hands dirty, performing garden beautification work at our local elementary school.
The following day, students volunteered by running a much-appreciated Bingo game at Hogar de Ancianos, Atenas’ retirement home.
Wednesday morning had students in the kitchen, working to prepare a turkey lunch to deliver to the kids at Hogar de Vida. In between serving lunch, cleaning up, and playing with the kids, some of our Spanish students entertained everyone with a presentation on Thanksgiving traditions.
On Thanksgiving Day, students and staff returned to the kitchen, but this time to prepare delicious food for our Thanksgiving dinner celebration.
We would like to express our thanks to every member of our NSA extended family!
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Students and staff have just returned from a successful round of Integrated Aventuras: hiking through Corcovado National Park, kayaking the Golfo Dulce, and whitewater rafting in the cloud forests of Costa Rica.
What better way to express Aventura experiences than through the words of students (and their mothers!) over the years at NSA:
What better way to express Aventura experiences than through the words of students (and their mothers!) over the years at NSA:
“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.”
- Graduate, Class of 2010
“I remember how great it felt to hear him laugh!! I remember how wonderful it was to see him smile in all of the pictures of his many adventures!! I remember the pride I could hear in his voice and see in his body language, especially after the kayak trip (his favorite!!)”
- Mother of Graduate, Class of 2017
“What I remember most from NSA are the Aventuras because it wasn't only a physical endeavor. I noticed it showed how my attitude changed throughout my time at NSA.”
- Graduate, Class of 2011
“I loved that you included time outdoors as a major part of the curriculum - as I firmly believe it is healing and provides clarity and peace to be outdoors. My son loved the hiking and swimming and kayaking and seems to have a lifelong desire now to continue finding higher mountains to climb, both literally and figuratively.” - Mother of Graduate, Class of 2016
“My appetite after kayaking mixed with the fish Martin cooked during the Kayak Aventura made for one of the best meals of my life.”
- Graduate, Class of 2010
“Favorite memories at NSA: 1. Psychology class! 2. Aventuras. Especially Corcovado.”
- Graduate, Class of 2012
“As I answer questions and tell stories, I pause and think…I actually did that. I actually hiked through Corcovado, kayaked around the Golfo Dulce, trekked up into the cloud forest, and summited the tallest mountain in Costa Rica. I actually got a score of 100 on an Aventura?…me!?” - Graduate, Class of 2011
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Who knew that life at boarding school could be so interesting and so much fun? Every day, New Summit Academy’s students and staff share rigorous academic discourse, once-in-a-lifetime experiential adventures, unique cultural immersion experiences, and exciting recreational opportunities.
Take a look at what our students have done in just these past two weeks!
Take a look at what our students have done in just these past two weeks!
Spotting crocodiles on the Tarcoles River
Competing in a 10K with the Running Club
Healthy competition at the Go Kart track
Being boys at the pool
Honing bouldering skills with the Climbing Club
Ready to roll at the amusement park
Learning sustainable agriculture techniques
Preparing a Halloween feast
Presenting on Sustainable Development
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Each October, Costa Rica celebrates the “Dia de las Culturas” or Culture Day, to recognize the diversity and cultural traditions that make the nation such an amazing place to live.
Here at NSA, Daisy organizes a celebration involving the one cultural facet most guaranteed to engage our students: food!
Students and staff work to prepare and share dishes that represent their own unique cultural heritage. NSA is a diverse community in itself, and this year we gathered to enjoy empanadas from Argentina, plantains in peanut sauce from Africa, homemade Italian bread, along with dozens of delicacies from Costa Rica and the U.S.
Thanks to Daisy and all who contributed for a wonderful celebration of cultural diversity!
Here at NSA, Daisy organizes a celebration involving the one cultural facet most guaranteed to engage our students: food!
Students and staff work to prepare and share dishes that represent their own unique cultural heritage. NSA is a diverse community in itself, and this year we gathered to enjoy empanadas from Argentina, plantains in peanut sauce from Africa, homemade Italian bread, along with dozens of delicacies from Costa Rica and the U.S.
Thanks to Daisy and all who contributed for a wonderful celebration of cultural diversity!
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All NSA students participate in a Cultural Engagement and Immersion Program, which consists of language study and immersion, homestays, international travel, and a series of hands-on cultural activities that allows newer students to learn about Costa Rica and its rich heritage.
This month, students explored the Bosque de Niño, created on the slopes of Volcano Poas to protect important watersheds. However, our students don’t only visit sites as tourists, but as travelers who engage and give back. Students worked for part of the day helping to repair the road leading into the park, and felt the appreciation of local visitors as they honked and waved to say “thank you!”
This month, students explored the Bosque de Niño, created on the slopes of Volcano Poas to protect important watersheds. However, our students don’t only visit sites as tourists, but as travelers who engage and give back. Students worked for part of the day helping to repair the road leading into the park, and felt the appreciation of local visitors as they honked and waved to say “thank you!”
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Costa Rica was one of the first nations on Earth to declare Children’s Day a national holiday as a celebration of its youth. At NSA, we naturally celebrate the day with our community partner, Hogar de Vida children’s home. Our young neighbors were invited to campus for a morning of fun, organized by Daisy our Cultural Coordinator.
Our students played with the children, took turns riding an ox cart and horses, colored and drew on tables covered in paper, and shared a delicious lunch, all to show our appreciation for the children of Hogar de Vida.
Our students played with the children, took turns riding an ox cart and horses, colored and drew on tables covered in paper, and shared a delicious lunch, all to show our appreciation for the children of Hogar de Vida.
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New Summit Academy includes professional-level certifications as part of its program graduation, ensuring that students step out of their comfort zones and are challenged in areas of interest. Students chose from four options for this September’s certification week, and split into two groups.
One group chose to study English language teaching techniques to earn their TEFL Certificates (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Students brushed up on their grammar, learned skills for engaging non-native speakers in the classroom, and practiced experientially by giving English lessons to local Costa Ricans.
The second group took on Open Water or Advanced SCUBA Certifications. After studying the required theoretical information and practicing in the pool, students jumped right in (literally) to practice their skills in the waters off Playa del Coco. These are lifetime certifications that build confidence, opportunities, and resumes.
Congratulations to our newly-certified NSA students!
One group chose to study English language teaching techniques to earn their TEFL Certificates (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Students brushed up on their grammar, learned skills for engaging non-native speakers in the classroom, and practiced experientially by giving English lessons to local Costa Ricans.
The second group took on Open Water or Advanced SCUBA Certifications. After studying the required theoretical information and practicing in the pool, students jumped right in (literally) to practice their skills in the waters off Playa del Coco. These are lifetime certifications that build confidence, opportunities, and resumes.
Congratulations to our newly-certified NSA students!
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Each year, NSA has the rare opportunity for all of our faculty and staff to gather in one place to improve our efforts of supporting our students and promoting their growth. This September, staff met for a full week of workshops and trainings in topics that included:
• Student Areas of Attention
• Safety and Confidentiality
• Emergency Protocols and Drills
• Organizational Sensitivity
• The Self, Community and Future Teams and Processes
After a long but successful week, our staff gathered once more to watch a video put together by Stephen, our photography and documentary film teacher, filled with expressions of thanks from graduates and their families with whom we have worked throughout the years.
Many thanks to those who sent in letters and videos, and a special thank you to all of our team, who continue improving the good work that we do!
• Student Areas of Attention
• Safety and Confidentiality
• Emergency Protocols and Drills
• Organizational Sensitivity
• The Self, Community and Future Teams and Processes
After a long but successful week, our staff gathered once more to watch a video put together by Stephen, our photography and documentary film teacher, filled with expressions of thanks from graduates and their families with whom we have worked throughout the years.
Many thanks to those who sent in letters and videos, and a special thank you to all of our team, who continue improving the good work that we do!
