We kicked off our fall conference season earlier this month at the North American Boarding School Workshop (NABSW) in London, England. Representing New Summit Academy and The Bridge Costa Rica, Strategic Enrollment Director Adam Beeson joined boarding school colleagues, international agents, and educational consultants from around the world for several days of connection and professional exchange.

The NABSW event provided an ideal setting to share how New Summit Academy and The Bridge create supportive boarding and study abroad experiences for students who benefit from intentional community, experiential learning, and holistic personal growth. Conversations throughout the workshop reinforced a shared commitment among schools and partners to help students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Beyond the formal meetings, many of the most meaningful moments came during informal conversations: exchanging ideas, comparing experiences, and exploring future collaborations that strengthen healthy, student-centered communities across borders.

The London workshop marked the first of several professional events this season. Dr. Danny Recio, Director of The Bridge Costa Rica, recently attended the Young Adult Transition Association (YATA) conference in San Diego, and next month Executive Director Dr. Heather Tracy will join Danny and Adam at NE NATSAP in Burlington, Vermont, The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) in Boston, Massachusetts, and for boarding school visits across New England.

Together, these events reflect an ongoing commitment to global connection, shared learning, and the continued growth of supportive educational communities.

By mid-October, many parents notice a familiar pattern: a student who seemed ready for the school year is suddenly struggling to keep up. A bright, capable teen may appear anxious, withdrawn, or unmotivated. Another might be creatively talented but unable to focus academically. Some students experience heightened anxiety, symptoms of depression, or difficulty managing executive functioning tasks.

​If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, parents of struggling high school students are seeing how quickly the structure of a school year can expose underlying emotional or learning challenges, including ADHD or other neurodivergent profiles.

​Summer often provides a break from the pressures of school, offering teens more sleep, freedom, and autonomy. When the school year begins, the sudden demands of homework, social dynamics, and schedules can overwhelm students who previously seemed to thrive. Many develop unhealthy coping mechanisms (excessive screen time, withdrawal, or perfectionism) as they attempt to manage stress.

​At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we recognize these challenges and understand that struggling students need more than traditional interventions. Our school focuses on helping adolescents develop resilience, emotional regulation, and executive functioning skills in a structured, supportive environment.

Our supportive boarding school and therapeutic study abroad program provides adolescent males with a 6-12 month opportunity to step out of their current environment and reset. Students continue earning U.S.-accredited, college-prep credits while receiving clinical and academic support tailored to their needs.

Living in Costa Rica, teens engage in experiential learning, service projects, leadership activities, and cultural immersion — all designed to help them regain confidence, reduce anxiety, and develop life skills that transfer back home.

​These immersive experiences benefit neurodivergent learners, students with ADHD, and those experiencing emotional challenges, preparing them for a successful return to school.

Unlike traditional boarding schools, our approach emphasizes a personalized balance of academics, social-emotional counseling, and experiential growth. Students work closely with mentors, clinicians, and teachers to address the underlying issues affecting their school performance. By providing structure, emotional support, and tools for self-regulation, we help students move from struggling to thriving.

​Parents across the U.S., Canada, Europe and beyond have seen their teens return home more resilient, motivated, and equipped with strategies to manage stress, executive functioning, and social-emotional challenges.

If your child is struggling this fall, it’s not too late to provide support that can make a meaningful difference. Contact our Admissions Team today to explore whether New Summit Academy Costa Rica could be the right fit for your family.