​New Summit Academy recently celebrated another graduating class with an intimate commencement ceremony on campus in Costa Rica. Surrounded by family members, friends, teachers, therapists, mentors, and members of the local community, our graduates took time to reflect on their journeys and the growth they experienced during their time at New Summit.

Graduation marks an important transition for every student. Some of our program graduates will continue their educational journeys at traditional boarding schools, while others will return home with greater confidence, stronger self-awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose.

We are also proud to recognize our May 2026 high school graduates, who will be attending the University of Denver, Lafayette College, and Sewanee: The University of the South.

At New Summit Academy, this is what it looked like when a student turned an idea into something that made a real difference.

Last Saturday, our student, Wells, took the stage for a live benefit concert, the result of months of rehearsals, planning, and leadership. What began as a personal idea grew into a full-scale production. Wells formed a band, organized practices, and led the group all the way to a live performance in support of a local family he had been working with in Costa Rica.

The concert brought the community together and ultimately raised $5,600, exceeding expectations and creating tangible impact for the family.

The funds raised will go toward purchasing a power generator for the family, helping ensure reliable access to light, refrigeration, and greater day-to-day stability at home. For Wells, the project was not just about music. It was about following through on a commitment and using his strengths to support others in a meaningful, practical way.

​Experiences like this are part of what defines our supportive boarding school. Students are supported in taking ownership of their growth while also learning how their actions can positively affect others.

At New Summit Academy, Landmark Projects invite students to connect with what is within them and contribute to the world beyond them. Each project is student-driven and built around individual strengths, whether through music, service, craftsmanship, or entrepreneurship.

In a small boarding school setting, students receive the structure and support needed to take ideas from concept to completion. Wells’ concert reflected not only his musical ability, but also his capacity for leadership, organization, and follow-through.

​These projects are a core part of life at a supportive boarding school like New Summit Academy. They help students build confidence, develop accountability, and strengthen their sense of purpose during their time on campus.

Wells’ benefit concert demonstrated what can happen when students are given the space and support to lead. The $5,600 raised will have a direct and lasting impact on a family’s daily life, while the experience itself will continue to shape Wells’ growth moving forward.

At New Summit Academy, student-led experiences like this are part of a broader commitment to helping young people become capable, engaged, and contributing members of their communities.