New Summit Academy Costa Rica
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The Future? They're Ready - Just Ask Our New Summit Graduates

6/4/2025

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"I feel so much more enabled to succeed than I could have ever imagined a year ago. I don't want to go back. I want to stay on this path. That's what I am most grateful for is that New Summit has helped me orient myself toward a future that I really want."
Graduation at New Summit Academy is always something special. Surrounded by proud families, friends, and supportive faculty and staff, our graduates reflect on their growth, express gratitude to those who helped along the way, and look ahead with confidence.

But as moving as commencement day can be, what’s even more r
ewarding is hearing from our students and their families in the weeks, months, and even years after they’ve crossed the stage. Many of our students continue their academic journeys at independent boarding or day schools. Others move directly into college or begin transformative gap year programs.

No matter the path, one thing becomes clear when we reconnect:

New Summit Academy has prepared them, not just for the next step, but for life. 

​Need some proof? Watch this short video from a recent graduation, and keep scrolling to read powerful words from alumni and parents about the impact of their time in Costa Rica.

The Academic Experience

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“The education is top notch… Honors level work was offered but tailored for success.”

“He was able to catch up on his schoolwork and not miss a year scholastically despite all of his experiences.”

“Prior to New Summit Academy, I couldn’t have imagined this outcome. Now he is finishing his final semester of college.”

​“He finished his high school requirements... and got into his desired college.”

Personal Growth Support

"He learned how to be a true friend and developed meaningful, long-term friendships… matured light years ahead of his peers at home."

"The time my son spent at New Summit Academy changed the trajectory of his life… he learned many valuable lessons about life, integrity, responsibility, family and friendship."

​“This is not your typical boarding school... This is an environment to heal, learn, and grow.”
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Cultural Immersion and Travel

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“Costa Rica is a beautiful place… through hands-on adventures and outdoor learning, my son developed a new appreciation for the world.”

“Living and studying in the beautiful and safe community of Atenas and Costa Rica… a once in a lifetime chance.”

​“The cultural experiences and trips… provide continuous opportunity for growth and learning.”

Our Faculty and Staff

"The teachers, therapists, and staff truly got to know him as a person… extremely helpful for his personal and academic growth."

“The staff are amazing and the level of academic and clinical experience is exceptional.”

​"The college guidance I received was second to none… I am doing well here because of the skills I learned."
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A Launch Pad for Life

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“New Summit Academy prepared me socially; I learned how to authentically connect with people and be myself. It built self confidence in me where I didn't need as much external validation to function.

​It taught me executive functioning and the importance of having a routine which let me handle my academics better and get a 95 average last year. It taught me tools to cope with my anxiety which let me stay grounded so I don't act out or seek reassurance anymore to cope with that.”

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Parent Letter: New Summit Prepared My Son for Boarding School

5/27/2025

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We love hearing from our alumni at the end of the school year! Recently, an alumni parent reached out to share our graduate's grade report from his college preparatory boarding school:
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After spending 6-12 months at New Summit Academy, why do our alumni who continue their education at a more traditional boarding school tend to thrive?  In the words of one graduate:
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“New Summit Academy prepared me socially; I learned how to authentically connect with people and be myself. It built self confidence in me where I didn't need as much external validation to function. It taught me executive functioning and the importance of having a routine which let me handle my academics better and get a 95 average last year. It taught me tools to cope with my anxiety which let me stay grounded so I don't act out or seek reassurance anymore to cope.”


​At New Summit Academy, our highly qualified teaching faculty:

✅ Incorporate academic skill development into each class, with larger projects broken down into smaller steps, hard skills integrated into lessons, and social skills gently guided by teacher and peer feedback.

☑️ Facilitate executive functioning skill development by working closely with each of our students to set quarterly goals and outline concrete, measurable actions to reach those goals.

✅ Help students build and solidify techniques to initiate and monitor their work, to stay organized, to manage time and priorities, to be resilient in the face of challenge, and to advocate for themselves when support or differentiation is needed.
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Our Team Presents at UK Boarding Schools Association Conference

5/20/2025

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Following their presentation at the Small Boarding Schools Association conference in California last month, Dr. Heather Tracy, Executive Director and Co-founder of New Summit Academy, and Strategic Enrollment Director Adam Beeson returned from the United Kingdom last week where they presented at the Boarding Schools' Association Annual Conference for Heads in York.
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Drawing on the twenty year history and experience of New Summit Academy, our team shared strategies that UK and international boarding schools can implement to help anxious students thrive. 

Speaking to more than 200 delegates in attendance, the presentation - "Aiding The Anxious Generation: Strategies for Improved Student Outcomes and Retention" - created much conversation around what more traditional boarding schools can be doing differently to support their students.

As the largest association of boarding schools in the world, the BSA represents member boarding schools in more than 50 countries, provides training for boarding staff and promotes boarding education.

How does New Summit Academy create a learning environment where students can thrive? Check out our new school video to see these strategies in action! 
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New Summit Academy Team Attends The 2025 Autism Symposium

4/21/2025

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Demonstrating their ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth, three members of New Summit Academy’s dedicated faculty and staff - Clinical Director and Co-Founder Mario Duran, therapist Ignacio Vasquez, and English teacher Yannick Pilgrim - recently took part in The Autism Symposium, where more than 45 referring professionals and 100 programs to explore cutting-edge treatment approaches for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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The 2025 Symposium was held over three days in Sunriver, Oregon and featured a series of innovative workshops led by leading experts in the field, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for our team to bring back to Costa Rica.

​The symposium opened with a keynote address by renowned child psychiatrist Dr. John Constantino, who presented research on the connection between parental social responsiveness and ASD risk in offspring. He emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and strongly advocated for precision intervention, an integrated approach that combines high-quality psychiatric care, individualized education plans, and positive behavior support strategies to reduce the likelihood of co-occurring intellectual disabilities.
Building on Dr. Constantino’s foundation, the New Summit team engaged in a wide range of workshops covering cognitive disengagement, psychological flexibility, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), pathological demand avoidance (PDA), and integrating neurodivergent-informed care with practical accommodations. These sessions gave the team fresh perspectives and tools to enhance their work with neurodivergent students.

​Among the key takeaways were the continued use of mindfulness and self-management techniques to support behavioral interventions, along with the vital role of fostering autonomy and creating a sense of safety in therapeutic settings.
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At New Summit Academy, we remain committed to providing inclusive, student-centered care. The 2025 Autism Symposium reaffirmed the value of a synergistic, neurodiversity-affirming approach in promoting self-acceptance and functional development for individuals on the autism spectrum.
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So Much More Than Teachers: Guidance Beyond The Classroom

4/2/2025

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For twenty years, New Summit Academy Costa Rica has engaged students in rigorous, college-prep academics, ensuring they are ready for the future—wherever their paths lead.

A key to our success is our highly-qualified teachers’ dedication to building personal connections in and out of the classroom, fostering engagement and growth.

Meet some of our incredible educators:

Yannick Pilgrim: English Teacher & Soccer Star

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Bringing his passions for English literature and soccer to Costa Rica more than a decade ago, Yannick stayed in the country to earn his Master’s in Education before joining New Summit Academy.

​He now leads a weekly soccer club, helping students hone their skills and prepare for local matches—all under the guidance of their English teacher.
Learn More About Yannick

Peter Gottovi: Social Studies Teacher & Drummer

Before earning his Master’s in Secondary Education, Peter spent a decade as a professional drummer in New York City.

​At New Summit, he teaches US and World History while also running Howler Music Studio, mentoring students in musicianship, recording, and live performance.
Learn More About Peter
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Vianney Medina: Spanish Teacher & Aventura Enthusiast

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Vianney, our Spanish teacher and Academic Advisor, is soon to pursue a Master’s in Educational Psychology.

​An avid outdoorswoman, she inspires students to push their limits on Integrated Aventuras, embracing adventure, personal growth while immersing in the natural beauty of her Costa Rican home.
Learn More About Vianney

Juan Diego Rodriguez: Science Teacher & Fitness Coach

Beloved by students, Juan Diego makes Biology, Chemistry, and Physics hands-on and engaging.

​Pursuing a Master’s in Human Movement Science, he also leads our Personal Training program, guiding students toward balanced fitness and wellness goals.
Learn More About Juan Diego
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Our Academic Approach
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Arts and Electives Highlights: Student Photography on Display

3/18/2025

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Arts and elective courses at New Summit Academy provide students with a unique opportunity to explore their emotions, express themselves authentically, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Our students are talented photographers, filmmakers, musicians and artists. Their exploration of the arts is an important element of our college prep curriculum, and for good reason.

A 2019 study from Brookings found that "a substantial increase in arts educational experiences has remarkable impacts on students’ academic, social, and emotional outcomes," including:

  • An improvement of 13% in standardized writing scores
  • A nearly 4% increase in positive contribution to the learning community
  • An 8% increase in showing compassion for others

We are excited to share this selection of the incredible student work from our photography class last academic term. Photography students not only receive expert guidance from our documentary filmmaking and photography teacher, they learn to use professional-level editing software in our campus studio.

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Class in the Rainforest! Experiential Education in Costa Rica

2/5/2025

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New Summit Academy's one-of-a-kind Aventura program engages students in true experiential education in the rainforests, on the beaches, and even floating in the coastal waters of Costa Rica.
​Newer student cohorts spend a week with experiential education mentors, therapists, and teachers kayaking around the pristine waters of the Golfo Dulce in the south of Costa Rica. Students learn about coastal ecosystems including mangroves, coral reefs, and watersheds in classes surrounded by what they are studying.  Learning is solidified as our community explores estuaries, snorkels among reefs, and encounters sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and more as they paddle.
​Our cohort of students on their second Aventura spend a week learning about forest succession and symbiotic relationships as they hike through living examples in Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Their living classroom is joined by tapir, monkeys, and scarlet macaws - learning experiences that students will never forget.

New Summit Academy’s Aventura program allows students to earn academic credit while working on their personal growth, learning valuable life skills, building executive functioning, and creating lifelong memories.

​Keep an eye out for our next round of engaging, integrated Aventura experiences in the rich culture of Panama!
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New Summit Academy Featured In International School Magazine

1/28/2025

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We are thrilled that New Summit Academy Costa Rica is featured in the Winter 2025 edition of International School Magazine. ​The feature story highlights our unique Supportive Immersion approach to learning and growth at our small boarding school.

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From the article:

"Nearly 2.4 million international tourists flock to the small tropical country each year in search of wellness and a bit of adventure. In the same way, New Summit Academy harnesses the therapeutic qualities of Costa Rica to empower students to adopt healthier lifestyles and to stretch their minds through experiences that rekindle motivation in school and in life."
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Read the Article
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Rediscovering a Joyous, Rewarding & Purposeful Life in Costa Rica

1/14/2025

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As we embark on our twentieth year of offering transformational Supportive Immersion experiences in Costa Rica, we are so grateful to receive messages like this one from alumni students and families:

“My son found the right place on Planet Earth to reset and rediscover his joyous, rewarding, and purposeful life.”
                                                                                                                                   - Alumni Parent, 2024


Here is a look back at some of those moments of joy and purpose over the past year at our supportive boarding school's beautiful campus in Atenas:
Inquire Now
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New Summit Academy Featured in the Fear | Less Podcast

1/8/2025

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Our Executive Director, Heather Tracy, EdD and Danny Recio, Ph.D, Program Director of The Bridge Costa Rica were thrilled to join the latest episode of the Fear | Less podcast with Zack Schafer to discuss how Supportive Immersion sparks youth resilience.

Check out the episode now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Tune in to the episode to learn about:

🌴 The origin story and 20-year history of New Summit Academy Costa Rica and The Bridge Costa Rica

🌐 How Supportive Immersion empowers students to develop resilience, purpose, and agency

🌊 The role of Costa Rica’s warm, welcoming culture as a catalyst for transformative growth

💫 And much, much more!

From the episode description:

"Rather than pushing young people to meet unrealistic expectations of independence, New Summit Academy and The Bridge highlight interdependence, community, and meaningful contribution. This inclusive, values-driven approach encourages learners to step outside their comfort zones, embrace missteps as teachable moments, and ultimately reframe anxiety as a natural part of growth. Whether in the classroom, on an internship, or in daily life, Supportive Immersion showcases how authentic connection, gentle exposure to uncertainty, and steady mentoring fuel both personal and collective well-being."

Inquire Now
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New Summit Academy Costa Rica is a supportive boarding school and study abroad experience for high school males in grades 9-12.
​
This website was made by our students and staff.  ​All pictures are real photographs taken from student experiences. 
We hope you appreciate our authenticity and transparency - they are our best qualities!
​
© Entire website is copyrighted property of New Summit Academy - Thank you for respecting our intellectual property!