- Published on
Our relationship with Hogar de Vida – our neighboring children’s home in Atenas – continues to provide our students with unforgettable opportunities to interact with children of all ages who give so much back to us through their joy.
Each week, Daisy, Vianney and staff from all departments accompany volunteer students to help to feed, care for and, most importantly, play with infants, toddlers and children from Hogar.
It is impossible to say who enjoys these interactions more, the children or our students!
Each week, Daisy, Vianney and staff from all departments accompany volunteer students to help to feed, care for and, most importantly, play with infants, toddlers and children from Hogar.
It is impossible to say who enjoys these interactions more, the children or our students!
- Published on
In preparation for the students' visit to Isla San Lucas, the island site of a former Costa Rican prison, Daisy and Vianney arranged for Don Jose to speak with our students.
One of the most famous writers in Costa Rica, Jose Leon Sanchez is the author of Isla de Los Hombres Solos, which tells the story of his wrongful imprisonment on the island for 20 years, until he was finally exonerated of his charges.
Meeting the author – a man who had lived through the struggles of the prison – allowed the students to view their visit through a personal lens.
One of the most famous writers in Costa Rica, Jose Leon Sanchez is the author of Isla de Los Hombres Solos, which tells the story of his wrongful imprisonment on the island for 20 years, until he was finally exonerated of his charges.
Meeting the author – a man who had lived through the struggles of the prison – allowed the students to view their visit through a personal lens.
- Published on
NSA is unique in its ability to combine Spanish language learning opportunities with an enriching and supportive Cultural Immersion program. Daisy and Vianney, our dedicated and passionate Spanish teachers and Cultural Immersion coordinators, have built a Spanish language program which meets grammatical learning objectives by preparing students with the vocabulary and background knowledge to participate in Immersion activities.
Our Experiential Education department mentors then engage our students in Immersion activities that serve both as a culmination of their weekly studies as well as one-of-a-kind cultural learning experiences.
Check out some of our recent Cultural Immersion activities!
Our Experiential Education department mentors then engage our students in Immersion activities that serve both as a culmination of their weekly studies as well as one-of-a-kind cultural learning experiences.
Check out some of our recent Cultural Immersion activities!
- Published on
Our Peru trip culminated in a journey to the sacred Incan site of Machu Picchu. Early in the morning, students boarded a train which snaked its way along the Urubamba River to the town of Aguascalientes, where we hopped on buses for the winding road to Machu Picchu. We spent the day learning about the history and architecture of this bucket-list wonder of the world and UNESCO heritage site, before returning to the Sacred Valley. On our final day, the owner of our guiding company, Piero, and his family welcomed us into their home for a celebratory barbeque!
Thanks to students, staff, families, and the wonderful guides at Terra Explorer for helping to make this year’s International Aventura to Peru such an amazing experience!
Thanks to students, staff, families, and the wonderful guides at Terra Explorer for helping to make this year’s International Aventura to Peru such an amazing experience!
- Published on
After our unforgettable experience with the Amaru community, students and staff geared up for a five-day hike among the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains.
With the towering Ausangate always visible, the students showed true grit and resilience as we challenged our minds and bodies in daily hikes over spectacular passes, at times reaching an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level.
The hike wasn’t all struggle, however, as our hosts and guides took amazing care of us, meeting us at each site with warm tents, warm smiles, and – most importantly – warm, delicious food!
With the towering Ausangate always visible, the students showed true grit and resilience as we challenged our minds and bodies in daily hikes over spectacular passes, at times reaching an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level.
The hike wasn’t all struggle, however, as our hosts and guides took amazing care of us, meeting us at each site with warm tents, warm smiles, and – most importantly – warm, delicious food!
- Published on
After three days of intensive workshops in preparation for Peru, our community braved a red-eye flight to arrive at over 11,000 feet in Cusco - the ancient capital of the Incan Empire - to get physically and mentally acclimatized for the adventures to come. Our first days included an historical tour of the city, a mountain-bike ride through the stunning landscape surrounding the Sacred Valley, and a day of community service with the Amaru people.
This indigenous village welcomed us into their homes with music and smiles, explained their way of life revolving around farming and weaving of textiles, and worked side-by-side with our students as we tilled the soil using traditional tools in preparation for planting potatoes. The Amaru then prepared a hearty lunch of quinoa, potatoes and guinea pig – a traditional delicacy in Peru.
This indigenous village welcomed us into their homes with music and smiles, explained their way of life revolving around farming and weaving of textiles, and worked side-by-side with our students as we tilled the soil using traditional tools in preparation for planting potatoes. The Amaru then prepared a hearty lunch of quinoa, potatoes and guinea pig – a traditional delicacy in Peru.
- Published on
Enjoy an inspirational special speech from Zach Lager, NSA Graduate 2005, who created and runs the Local Development Catalyst Network in Mozambique as well as now running the Sibanye program in South Africa.
Password: NSA
- Published on
In order to prepare students for their upcoming adventure to Peru, the teachers and academic staff facilitated three days of workshops so that this international experience is as rich as possible. When NSA journeys to a new destination, it is important that we do so as travelers, not tourists. These workshops were intentionally designed with that goal in mind.
Students have been working with our English teacher to learn the intricacies of travel writing, studying the history of Peru with our Social Studies teacher, learning travel etiquette and curiosity with our Coordinator of Student Success, and pondering how travel changes them and their destinations through daily reflective writing.
Keep an eye out for exciting photos and stories in our next issue from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Students have been working with our English teacher to learn the intricacies of travel writing, studying the history of Peru with our Social Studies teacher, learning travel etiquette and curiosity with our Coordinator of Student Success, and pondering how travel changes them and their destinations through daily reflective writing.
Keep an eye out for exciting photos and stories in our next issue from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- Published on
Following a successful quarter and graduation ceremony, students and staff embarked on NSA’s Summer Recreational Aventura for some well-deserved rest and relaxation (and adrenaline!) We first traveled to the Fonseca House, a family business located in the heart of the rainforest on the famous Savegre River.
Here, students took full advantage of the pristine forest as they climbed trees, zip-lined, rappelled waterfalls, and swam in the river. After three full days at Fonseca House, we continued to the coast, first to Manuel Antonio Park and then to Esterillos -- two beautiful spots along the Pacific -- where we explored the national park, held a bonfire, and swam in the waves.
Students returned rested and energized for their next adventure: Peru!
Here, students took full advantage of the pristine forest as they climbed trees, zip-lined, rappelled waterfalls, and swam in the river. After three full days at Fonseca House, we continued to the coast, first to Manuel Antonio Park and then to Esterillos -- two beautiful spots along the Pacific -- where we explored the national park, held a bonfire, and swam in the waves.
Students returned rested and energized for their next adventure: Peru!
- Published on
On Friday, June 16th, the New Summit Academy community celebrated as 10 graduates successfully completed the NSA program, high school, or both.
Graduating from the program or high school means that these young men have developed the skills, cultivated their curiosity, and honed their resourcefulness to become successful Global Citizens. Some of this June’s graduates will be returning to finish out their high school careers with new insights into how they learn and how to best advocate for themselves.
Those completing high school have all been accepted to and enrolled in colleges, including Bennington College, the University of Southern California, The University of Colorado Boulder, Fairfield University and the University of Arizona.
Congratulations to all of our graduates and their families, and we look forward to news of their future successes!
Graduating from the program or high school means that these young men have developed the skills, cultivated their curiosity, and honed their resourcefulness to become successful Global Citizens. Some of this June’s graduates will be returning to finish out their high school careers with new insights into how they learn and how to best advocate for themselves.
Those completing high school have all been accepted to and enrolled in colleges, including Bennington College, the University of Southern California, The University of Colorado Boulder, Fairfield University and the University of Arizona.
Congratulations to all of our graduates and their families, and we look forward to news of their future successes!
