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NSA’s Academic Department is continually striving to improve our innovative curriculum to prepare our students with 21st-century skills. Our newest addition to the course catalog is founded on our English teacher Brooke’s passion for teaching English as a second language (ESL). Brooke has designed a course in which students focus on the grammar and construction of the English language, and then show mastery of their studies in the most effective way possible: teaching.
Each Friday, students convert their grammar studies into dynamic English language classes, teaching our non-native English speaking staff from the Operations department. By teaching, students not only show mastery of the English language and its often complicated and convoluted grammar -- they are also developing critical organizational, time-management, and public speaking skills.
Each Friday, students convert their grammar studies into dynamic English language classes, teaching our non-native English speaking staff from the Operations department. By teaching, students not only show mastery of the English language and its often complicated and convoluted grammar -- they are also developing critical organizational, time-management, and public speaking skills.
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There is no experience more rewarding for our faculty and staff, and none more enriching for our current students, than to have an NSA alumnus return to our campus to share their successes after graduation.
One of our graduates, Jordan R., recently reached out to NSA requesting an opportunity to teach a workshop for our students.
One of our graduates, Jordan R., recently reached out to NSA requesting an opportunity to teach a workshop for our students.
After graduating from NSA in 2008, Jordan went on become a nationally-placed slam poet and battle rapper. His performance of his slam poem “Bullies” won third place at the national Slam Poetry competition in Berkeley. And even more impressive, Jordan is now completing a double honor’s major in English from the University of California Davis!
So of course, our answer was “yes!” Jordan rejoined our community last Friday for a workshop with our Visual and Performing Arts class on performance art. Students worked with Jordan to analyze the language of poetry and the spoken word, and read a number of poems aloud. The students were also treated to a live performance of Jordan’s “Bullies." Finally, students wrote and performed their own spoken-word pieces -- a fantastic culmination of the afternoon.
When we asked Jordan why he had returned, we heard our favorite answer: “I wanted to give back.”
When we asked Jordan why he had returned, we heard our favorite answer: “I wanted to give back.”
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New Summit Academy students and staff have just returned from an extraordinary experience exploring ancient and modern cultures in Belize and Guatemala!
To prepare for the trip – to be travelers rather than tourists – teachers engaged students in a week of workshops, studying the history of the area and current issues affecting the people. Students also participated in workshops focusing on how our senses are heightened through travel. The objective of this guiding theme is to help raise student awareness of the human experience, both through their travels and in their day-to-day lives at NSA and back home.
While traveling in Belize and Guatemala, students engaged in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including:
- Exploring the breathtaking Mayan sites of Caracol, Tika and Xunantunich
- Performing community service in the tropical gardens at their jungle lodge
- Spelunking the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher, home of Mayan sacrificial objects
- Snorkeling in the second-largest reef on Earth (including Shark Ray Alley!)
- Documenting their experiences in a film which will premiere in September
Students returned to campus energized by this amazing opportunity, and ready to begin the quarter. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Documentary Film Premiere issue at the end of the quarter, and a shared link of the student film!
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As our largest graduation ever quickly approaches, it is a perfect time to reflect on what makes up a student’s experience graduating the New Summit Academy program. While attention is often given to exciting Aventuras, engaging classes, and Personal Growth, it is important to understand the results of these programmatic aspects.
In other words, what does the resume of a New Summit Academy Graduate look like?
In other words, what does the resume of a New Summit Academy Graduate look like?
Resume of a New Summit Academy Graduate
Service:
Students perform over 100 hours of community service (many much more!), on projects ranging from working with children at Hogar de Vida to protecting endangered sea turtles in the Osa Peninsula.
Students perform over 100 hours of community service (many much more!), on projects ranging from working with children at Hogar de Vida to protecting endangered sea turtles in the Osa Peninsula.
Academic Achievement:
Graduates have succeeded in a college-preparatory learning environment, and have not only developed impressive critical thinking skills, but have learned how they learn to take charge of future success.
Graduates have succeeded in a college-preparatory learning environment, and have not only developed impressive critical thinking skills, but have learned how they learn to take charge of future success.
International Travel Experience:
Costa Rica is a rich classroom for learning independence and cultural sensitivity, and students also have opportunities to travel to Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, Peru and Guatemala!
Costa Rica is a rich classroom for learning independence and cultural sensitivity, and students also have opportunities to travel to Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, Peru and Guatemala!
Real-World Skills:
Students engage in classes and workshops to prepare them for independent living, which include cooking courses, car maintenance, budgeting and finances, dating 101, and resume development.
Students engage in classes and workshops to prepare them for independent living, which include cooking courses, car maintenance, budgeting and finances, dating 101, and resume development.
Global Citizenship:
Our Global Citizenship program engages students in the study and application of ethical decision making in areas of Social Justice, Human Rights, Sustainable Development, Digital Citizenship, Conflict Resolution, and more.
Our Global Citizenship program engages students in the study and application of ethical decision making in areas of Social Justice, Human Rights, Sustainable Development, Digital Citizenship, Conflict Resolution, and more.
Professional-Level Certifications:
Our Health term includes all students earning their Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) Certification, and summer Aventuras may have them earning open water SCUBA certifications!
Our Health term includes all students earning their Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) Certification, and summer Aventuras may have them earning open water SCUBA certifications!
Cultural Immersion:
Costa Rica provides an opportunity to develop cultural awareness through our Spanish Language program, cultural events and celebrations, and weekly homestay program.
Costa Rica provides an opportunity to develop cultural awareness through our Spanish Language program, cultural events and celebrations, and weekly homestay program.
College Applications:
Graduating seniors apply to and – no surprise considering their resumes – are accepted to colleges which provide them with a chance to continue their success. This fall, our seniors will be attending: St. Louis University, Montana State University, Southern Methodist University, Central Washington University, Western State Colorado University, The University of Vermont, and Fordham University.
Graduating seniors apply to and – no surprise considering their resumes – are accepted to colleges which provide them with a chance to continue their success. This fall, our seniors will be attending: St. Louis University, Montana State University, Southern Methodist University, Central Washington University, Western State Colorado University, The University of Vermont, and Fordham University.
The class was offered a total of over ONE MILLION DOLLARS in scholarships this year.
It’s amazing what a resume can do!
It’s amazing what a resume can do!
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“Growing up, I viewed poetry solely as a form of writing that used rhyming. I thought poetry to be simple and monotonous, only doing it because my teacher assigned it. There was no passion when it was taught by my teachers and correspondingly, there was no passion when I wrote. Poetry was portrayed as a basic rhyming scheme such as "‘He went into town and found a nice crown,"’ not a creative outlet or form of art.
Here at NSA, it is just the opposite. I feel lucky to have had Larisa as my Poetry teacher. Larisa's passion for poetry translates to class, inspiring and motivating me to write. A typical day in poetry class consists of first receiving a prompt or intention for the class, then breaking for 30 to 45 minutes to write, and finally we regroup to share and give feedback on the pieces.”
Here at NSA, it is just the opposite. I feel lucky to have had Larisa as my Poetry teacher. Larisa's passion for poetry translates to class, inspiring and motivating me to write. A typical day in poetry class consists of first receiving a prompt or intention for the class, then breaking for 30 to 45 minutes to write, and finally we regroup to share and give feedback on the pieces.”
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This quarter our students are learning about the development of many of the economic principles and philosophies (some competing) being used around the world now and in the past. In addition, our students are playing a virtual stock market simulation game powered by Investopedia.com that offers real world, true, and real-time consequences for investment decisions made with the trading of all stocks available on the NYSE, the NASDAQ, and AMEX.
A great way to understand complexity in markets is to study how regional, national, and global changes in different areas can impact the health of the market. Students are learning how to use headlines and market indexes to make predictions about investments. Students are also working on research projects related to different kinds of impact-investing (green energy, green or social justice-minded, social progress serving) and microfinance banking to see how capitalism, profit motive, and greed can actually be used to serve noble purposes.
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Students in Model United Nations are preparing for a simulation of the UN Security Council on the topic "Cyber Security." Students are investigating the topic, which coincides with the school-wide global citizenship theme of "digital citizenship," from the perspective of current Security Council members, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, New Zealand, Egypt, and Venezuela. After researching their country's position on the topic, students will produce a position paper and formal speech before participating in a three-day simulation. The simulation aims to find solutions for improving the monitoring of cyberspace, holding those international actors found guilty of committing cyber crimes accountable, and ensuring a free but safe Internet.
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Recently, NSA math and photography students collaborated on a lesson geared toward raising awareness regarding geometric shapes in our surroundings. Students were challenged to find polygons around campus - the more complex the better. Not only did the project help to raise awareness of math in the natural world, it also provided an opportunity for students to investigate and pay special attention to aspects of their everyday lives that had been previously overlooked.
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Our Culinary Arts class is always willing to pitch in to collaborate with school activities. This week, student council has organized a "Star Wars" night, with costumes and games to celebrate the films. Our cooking class is preparing a number of dishes for the event, all with a Star Wars theme. Students researched and planned the recipes, learning how to convert servings to prepare enough for the 40-plus participants of the event. Dishes we are preparing include: White Chocolate Pretzel Rod Light Sabers, Jawa Brownies, and Star Fighters-n-Cheese. May the Forks Be with You.
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This month, students, staff and alumni of New Summit Academy will embark on SIX different Aventuras! Next month’s issue will report in detail on these amazing experiences, but here’s a sneak peek:
-Building hatcheries for nesting sea turtles during the day, while patrolling the beaches of the Osa Peninsula by night, searching for turtle eggs to relocate to the safety of a sanctuary.
-Kayaking along the shores of the Golfo Dulce, studying mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, fishing for lunch and dinner, and participating in the ever-popular Tent Partner Olympics.
-Hiking through the spectacularly biodiverse Corcovado National Park, learning about the process of forest succession, while keeping an eye out for tapir, monkeys, sloths, anteaters and even puma!
-Trekking to the rustic but beautiful Monte Sky retreat, and then rafting through the high-altitude forests of Tapanti National Park, and studying the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the complexities of the cloud forest.
-A first-of-its-kind staff & alumni trip to SOUTH AFRICA, exploring the beauty and culture, and investigating possibilities for future young adult opportunities. (Pics to come...)
-A remarkable opportunity for Second Summit students to travel to CUBA, to interact with its people and learn from them about daily life and how the nation’s unique history has shaped it.
New Summit Academy’s one-of-a-kind Aventura program continues to shape tomorrow’s Global Citizens!
