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NSA’s academic classes use a project-based model to engage students in true, deeper learning. Project-based learning sets a collaborative goal for the quarter or semester, and uses learning objectives as steps to reach that goal.
In this model, teachers serve as guides and facilitators, and students take ownership of their learning because they believe in the goal they helped to create, and see relevance in daily steps in the context of the final product.
In Juan Diego’s Biotechnology class this quarter, students are studying how Science and cooking combine by using microorganisms to our benefit. As part of their overall project, students captured live yeast from the air (experimenting with various mixtures of flour, sugar and acids) until they produced the best results. After a week, students had an active sourdough starter, which they used to make pizza crust, enjoying their creations at lunch to the envy of their peers.
Proof that Science can be delicious!
In this model, teachers serve as guides and facilitators, and students take ownership of their learning because they believe in the goal they helped to create, and see relevance in daily steps in the context of the final product.
In Juan Diego’s Biotechnology class this quarter, students are studying how Science and cooking combine by using microorganisms to our benefit. As part of their overall project, students captured live yeast from the air (experimenting with various mixtures of flour, sugar and acids) until they produced the best results. After a week, students had an active sourdough starter, which they used to make pizza crust, enjoying their creations at lunch to the envy of their peers.
Proof that Science can be delicious!
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Cultural Immersion plays a key role in our students’ experiences at New Summit Academy, promoting relationship development, appreciation of others’ cultures and customs, health risk-taking, and reciprocity – so much of what we strive to develop.
One of the most memorable cultural experiences for our students is their participation in the Homestay program, spending Sundays with local families, and joining them in activities ranging from cooking at home to attending soccer games, birthday parties, and afternoons at the beach.
These volunteer families take our students into their homes and lives out of the goodness of their hearts, so our community gives a little bit back to them with our popular Homestay picnics.
This quarter, a summer day in the Caribbean was the theme of the Homestay picnic, complete with team-building games (with lots of water balloons!) fun decorations, music, and a traditional Caribbean lunch of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk!
One of the most memorable cultural experiences for our students is their participation in the Homestay program, spending Sundays with local families, and joining them in activities ranging from cooking at home to attending soccer games, birthday parties, and afternoons at the beach.
These volunteer families take our students into their homes and lives out of the goodness of their hearts, so our community gives a little bit back to them with our popular Homestay picnics.
This quarter, a summer day in the Caribbean was the theme of the Homestay picnic, complete with team-building games (with lots of water balloons!) fun decorations, music, and a traditional Caribbean lunch of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk!
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A key part of NSA’s mission to nurture students toward becoming more relationship-based, goal-driven, resourceful global citizens is the idea of giving back to people and communities. During their stays, our students engage in countless opportunities to give back, from mentoring new students to volunteering at Hogar de Vida.
Our students work side-by-side with the Osa Conservation preserving turtle habitats, beautify local schools, and teach free English lessons in town. And something seems to stick, because our school is lucky enough to have graduates continually expressing that they want to give back by becoming interns, contributing to a program that once guided them.
Read for yourselves from a recent letter written by a 2014 graduate:
Hey Martin-
I was checking out the NSA website a second ago and felt compelled to email. Partly to thank you and also update you on my life.
I am in my second semester of my sophomore year at UNCW. I am on track to be a Psych Major/Spanish Double and or Minor (depending on the next few semesters). I work in the summers as a surf instructor and the rest of the year as a Manny (male nanny) for a family with a 9 year old boy and a 13 year old boy. I know GPA does not indicate everything but I have a steady 3.0. In July I will study abroad in Port Elizabeth South Africa for the semester.
How is New Summit Academy? Has the profile of students been changing at all? Mike W. and I keep in touch a good deal and he spoke very fondly of his time at NSA, especially working with you. I hope to come back at some point and work with NSA. It says something about the program that some students are compelled to come back and work with the students.
I am very thankful for my experience at NSA. It was an ineffable experience at certain points but my overall feelings remain positive and grateful. Choosing to take a year off was a very hard decision but a pivotal decision that I hold to my identity/sense of self. I always enjoyed talking travel with you and all you encouraged me to do.
I know you are very busy but I thought that I would extend this to you.
Sincerely,
Griffin
Our students work side-by-side with the Osa Conservation preserving turtle habitats, beautify local schools, and teach free English lessons in town. And something seems to stick, because our school is lucky enough to have graduates continually expressing that they want to give back by becoming interns, contributing to a program that once guided them.
Read for yourselves from a recent letter written by a 2014 graduate:
Hey Martin-
I was checking out the NSA website a second ago and felt compelled to email. Partly to thank you and also update you on my life.
I am in my second semester of my sophomore year at UNCW. I am on track to be a Psych Major/Spanish Double and or Minor (depending on the next few semesters). I work in the summers as a surf instructor and the rest of the year as a Manny (male nanny) for a family with a 9 year old boy and a 13 year old boy. I know GPA does not indicate everything but I have a steady 3.0. In July I will study abroad in Port Elizabeth South Africa for the semester.
How is New Summit Academy? Has the profile of students been changing at all? Mike W. and I keep in touch a good deal and he spoke very fondly of his time at NSA, especially working with you. I hope to come back at some point and work with NSA. It says something about the program that some students are compelled to come back and work with the students.
I am very thankful for my experience at NSA. It was an ineffable experience at certain points but my overall feelings remain positive and grateful. Choosing to take a year off was a very hard decision but a pivotal decision that I hold to my identity/sense of self. I always enjoyed talking travel with you and all you encouraged me to do.
I know you are very busy but I thought that I would extend this to you.
Sincerely,
Griffin
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February and March have been exciting months for our senior students and our faculty, as the hard work of college applications is starting to pay off. Our seniors have received decisions from just under half of the schools to which they’ve applied, and the results are fantastic! So far, 94% of schools applied to have made offers of admission. Amazing programs, Colleges That Change Lives, and top universities want our students, and are offering merit scholarships to make them even more appealing.
Schools such as Pace University, Juniata College, Whittier, Rollins, and Loyola Marymount have – to date – offered our students a total of more than $688,000.00 in merit scholarships! Congratulations, seniors, on your well-deserved success!
Schools such as Pace University, Juniata College, Whittier, Rollins, and Loyola Marymount have – to date – offered our students a total of more than $688,000.00 in merit scholarships! Congratulations, seniors, on your well-deserved success!
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New Summit Academy’s innovative Global Citizenship program engages students in critical-thinking activities throughout their year with us, developing perspectives that apply to all of their classes and, with hope, their worlds. Twice per quarter, students and teachers focus on one of the eight facets of Global Citizenship: Social Justice, Diversity, Interdependence, Conflict Resolution, Ecological Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Digital Citizenship, and – this quarter’s facet – Human Rights.
Our community dedicates two days to the study of each facet, and works with students to create plans of action to enact change in their communities, and guides them in developing facet projects in their classes. This Human Rights workshop is focusing on worker’s rights and how our actions and purchases affect others. It includes an analysis of the ground-breaking documentary film The True Cost, and a Skype interview with its director, Andrew Morgan.
Our community dedicates two days to the study of each facet, and works with students to create plans of action to enact change in their communities, and guides them in developing facet projects in their classes. This Human Rights workshop is focusing on worker’s rights and how our actions and purchases affect others. It includes an analysis of the ground-breaking documentary film The True Cost, and a Skype interview with its director, Andrew Morgan.
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This Aventura begins with a 3-day backpacking journey into the chilly cloud forest of Tapanti National Park. On the very first day, after arriving at the park station, the group happened to see a wounded resplendent quetzal being transported to the Zoo Ave sanctuary in Alajuela. Renowned for its vibrant plumage and long streamer tail, the quetzal inhabits the humid highlands of Costa Rica, where protected lands offer this threatened species safe haven.
The experience was the perfect springboard for that day's class on the interconnectedness of cloud forest biomes and human interactions with local species. The class discussion focused on human impacts and important efforts to help rare species like the quetzal.
The trip ended on a high note with two days of adrenaline-pumping rafting on the Class III and IV rapids of the mighty Pacuare River.
The experience was the perfect springboard for that day's class on the interconnectedness of cloud forest biomes and human interactions with local species. The class discussion focused on human impacts and important efforts to help rare species like the quetzal.
The trip ended on a high note with two days of adrenaline-pumping rafting on the Class III and IV rapids of the mighty Pacuare River.
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Students on the Kayak Aventura found a true sense of cohesion and authenticity as they paddled their way across the glassy waters of the Golfo Dulce.
When they weren't chest-deep in mangrove estuaries for hands-on classes, the guys were catching their dinner (fresh snapper and mackeral!) on handlines as they kayaked through this amazing ecosystem.
Crowning moments included:
When they weren't chest-deep in mangrove estuaries for hands-on classes, the guys were catching their dinner (fresh snapper and mackeral!) on handlines as they kayaked through this amazing ecosystem.
Crowning moments included:
- Watching spotted eagle rays glide through the water
- Having sea turtles swim under their kayaks
- Crossing the Gulf bathed in the luminous glow of a Full Snow Moon
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Corcovado National Park, one of the planet's most biodiverse locations, was the backdrop for this physically challenging 5-day camping and trekking adventure. Students study lowland rainforest ecology, symbiosis and forest succession on this extreme journey that entails some exciting river crossings, including one high tide crossing where waters were nearly chest level!
Wildlife sightings are one of the best parts of exploring Corcovado. During their week-long adventure, the guys saw Tapir, sea turtles, four species of monkey, wild pigs, coatimundi, caimans, crocodiles and a skunk! The group also got to experience the wonders of the Snow Moon Eclipse, watching the sun rise as the moon lit up the night sky.
Wildlife sightings are one of the best parts of exploring Corcovado. During their week-long adventure, the guys saw Tapir, sea turtles, four species of monkey, wild pigs, coatimundi, caimans, crocodiles and a skunk! The group also got to experience the wonders of the Snow Moon Eclipse, watching the sun rise as the moon lit up the night sky.
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Community Service marks the first of NSA's Integrated Aventuras, and with more than half of the student body participating in this initial adventure, this group was amazingly cohesive. Students showed great initiative and cooperation on both an individual and group basis during their week on the Osa Peninsula, where service was aimed at monitoring endangered sea turtle nesting sites and local reforestation efforts.
According to Aventura staff, the guys were consistently engaged in academic lessons, resulting in dynamic conversations.
Aventura highlights included:
According to Aventura staff, the guys were consistently engaged in academic lessons, resulting in dynamic conversations.
Aventura highlights included:
- Discovering a sea turtle nest on their first beach patrol containing more than 100 eggs that students relocated to the hatchery built by a previous NSA class
- Harvesting vegetables from the Osa Conservation garden to serve at dinner
- Playing 5X5 soccer
- Using free time to swim in the river
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Though it may seem like the college application process is just now ending, we are already having schools jump at the opportunity to admit our motivated, brilliant seniors. Each week brings new and exciting news for our students, with more sure to come.
Some of our recent acceptances include:
- Montana State
- Immaculata University
- Alvernia University
- Whittier (with a $28,000 per year scholarship)
- Juniata (with a $23,000 per year scholarship)
- Portland State (with a $24,000 per year scholarship)
Congratulations seniors!
Some of our recent acceptances include:
- Montana State
- Immaculata University
- Alvernia University
- Whittier (with a $28,000 per year scholarship)
- Juniata (with a $23,000 per year scholarship)
- Portland State (with a $24,000 per year scholarship)
Congratulations seniors!