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May 1st is here! This day marks the deadline for our seniors to have made their final selection and enrolled in the college or university of their choice.
This process began months and months ago with students detailing the characteristics of a learning environment that would best fit their needs, and has resulted in these impressive stats:
--- 100% of students who participated in the full college guidance process have been accepted and enrolled
--- 65% of schools applied to offered admission
---- Seven acceptances from the “Colleges That Change Lives”
---- College or University enrollment for Fall 2018 includes: Eckerd, Loyola Marymount, Queen Mary of London, Montana State, Allegheny, St. Edward’s, UT Austin School of Engineering, CU Boulder, Juniata, Flagler, NC State, Denver, and Tulane’s Honors Program
---- A total of $1,191,000.00 in merit scholarships offered!
Congratulations to our seniors; we are proud of you and look forward to great things!
This process began months and months ago with students detailing the characteristics of a learning environment that would best fit their needs, and has resulted in these impressive stats:
--- 100% of students who participated in the full college guidance process have been accepted and enrolled
--- 65% of schools applied to offered admission
---- Seven acceptances from the “Colleges That Change Lives”
---- College or University enrollment for Fall 2018 includes: Eckerd, Loyola Marymount, Queen Mary of London, Montana State, Allegheny, St. Edward’s, UT Austin School of Engineering, CU Boulder, Juniata, Flagler, NC State, Denver, and Tulane’s Honors Program
---- A total of $1,191,000.00 in merit scholarships offered!
Congratulations to our seniors; we are proud of you and look forward to great things!
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Every five weeks, the Academic team engages our students in the investigation and study of one of the eight facets of Global Citizenship, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore all facets during their time at New Summit Academy.
Last week, students chose subtopics of personal interest that fit under the facet of Sustainable Development – including local and global water issues, renewable energy, and pollution. Student groups each produced multi-media presentations guided by Art teachers, which were shared with the community. Presentations included interviews and films about Atenas’ water situation and podcasts addressing electric cars and sustainable energy sources.
Last week, students chose subtopics of personal interest that fit under the facet of Sustainable Development – including local and global water issues, renewable energy, and pollution. Student groups each produced multi-media presentations guided by Art teachers, which were shared with the community. Presentations included interviews and films about Atenas’ water situation and podcasts addressing electric cars and sustainable energy sources.
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To celebrate International Book Day, our English teacher Brooke teamed up with Daisy and Vianney, our Spanish Teachers and Cultural Coordinators, to bring more reading opportunities to the communities of Atenas.
Students first organized a Spanish and English language book drive to collect reading materials for the community. Students and staff then collaborated to install a “Book Deposit Box” in front of Atenas’ municipal building as well as distribute “Lost Books” around town for residents to discover, read, and pass on to others.
Thank you to our students and teachers for your creativity and passion in celebrating literacy!
Students first organized a Spanish and English language book drive to collect reading materials for the community. Students and staff then collaborated to install a “Book Deposit Box” in front of Atenas’ municipal building as well as distribute “Lost Books” around town for residents to discover, read, and pass on to others.
Thank you to our students and teachers for your creativity and passion in celebrating literacy!
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New Summit Academy’s Integrated Reading and Writing Program engages students in the investigation of driving questions through reading and responding to a variety of texts while developing increasingly-complex critical thinking skills.
Each quarter, students choose the focus of the driving question, and then vote on staff and student-suggested texts for our entire community to read.
This quarter’s question, “Who Am I?” – will be explored through reading, discussing, and writing about texts including Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, The Book (On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are) by Alan Watts, and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Each quarter, students choose the focus of the driving question, and then vote on staff and student-suggested texts for our entire community to read.
This quarter’s question, “Who Am I?” – will be explored through reading, discussing, and writing about texts including Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, The Book (On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are) by Alan Watts, and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
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Four young men celebrated their journeys and growth this week as they return to their families with program certificates and high school diplomas.
These seniors deserve our recognition as they begin the next phases in their journeys, which include one graduate enrolling in Montana State University with a merit scholarship, another considering (among many choices) Tulane University, where he was invited to join the Honors Program, and the others ready to test their new skills returning to complete high school in their home towns.
Congratulations to our graduates; we are proud of you and look forward to your many certain successes!
These seniors deserve our recognition as they begin the next phases in their journeys, which include one graduate enrolling in Montana State University with a merit scholarship, another considering (among many choices) Tulane University, where he was invited to join the Honors Program, and the others ready to test their new skills returning to complete high school in their home towns.
Congratulations to our graduates; we are proud of you and look forward to your many certain successes!
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NSA’s students have the opportunity to investigate the eight facets of Global Citizenship and to integrate driving questions and themes about the facets into each of their classes. This quarter, our workshop focused on Human Rights, and the students chose the timely and important topic of water access rights.
Staff from each department contributed to the investigation and reporting ofwater access and Human Rights in the United States, South Africa (where seven of our students will be traveling with the school this week), and in our home of Atenas, Costa Rica.
Culminating projects consisted of analyses of issues and proposed solutions, as well as a plan to join Atenas in its efforts to improve water access for our neighbors.
Staff from each department contributed to the investigation and reporting ofwater access and Human Rights in the United States, South Africa (where seven of our students will be traveling with the school this week), and in our home of Atenas, Costa Rica.
Culminating projects consisted of analyses of issues and proposed solutions, as well as a plan to join Atenas in its efforts to improve water access for our neighbors.
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The excitement is palpable as our seniors receive almost daily decisions about their college applications.
Recent acceptances have included:
Queen Mary University of London, Belmont University, the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Engineering, Trinity University, Tulane University, the University of Denver, Marquette University, Loyola of Chicago, and Duquesne University.
To this date, our seniors have been offered a combined total of over $890,000.00 in merit scholarships. Congratulations, Seniors!
Recent acceptances have included:
Queen Mary University of London, Belmont University, the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Engineering, Trinity University, Tulane University, the University of Denver, Marquette University, Loyola of Chicago, and Duquesne University.
To this date, our seniors have been offered a combined total of over $890,000.00 in merit scholarships. Congratulations, Seniors!
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NSA and The Bridge have been not only long-time members of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), but innovators leading the way toward more effective and enriching models of engagement and growth for young people.
At this year’s national NATSAP conference in Tampa, our programs collaborated to facilitate four different presentations, which included:
- Martin Naffziger and Kelly Weld speaking about how investment in a rigorous Academic program can develop stronger Therapeutic offerings
- Dr. Heather Tracy and Mario Duran presenting on how to balance student empowerment with administrative needs
- Dr. Danny Recio discussing his recently-published article in the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs titled Coming of Age in Foreign Lands
- Martin Naffziger presenting in collaboration with Montana Academy on innovative structures in education and the responsibility that therapeutic programs have to develop strong Academics
All of our Supportive Immersion programs will continue forward with industry-leading standards of education, personal growth and experiential education!
At this year’s national NATSAP conference in Tampa, our programs collaborated to facilitate four different presentations, which included:
- Martin Naffziger and Kelly Weld speaking about how investment in a rigorous Academic program can develop stronger Therapeutic offerings
- Dr. Heather Tracy and Mario Duran presenting on how to balance student empowerment with administrative needs
- Dr. Danny Recio discussing his recently-published article in the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs titled Coming of Age in Foreign Lands
- Martin Naffziger presenting in collaboration with Montana Academy on innovative structures in education and the responsibility that therapeutic programs have to develop strong Academics
All of our Supportive Immersion programs will continue forward with industry-leading standards of education, personal growth and experiential education!
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Students spent last week on one of our signature Integrated Aventuras -- expeditions throughout Costa Rica where students engage in experiential learning and personal growth alongside our dedicated therapists, teachers and Experiential Education mentors.
The Aventura program begins at sea level with students “giving back” to the Costa Rican community through volunteer work with Osa Conservation. Students plant trees, build trails, and patrol the beaches for nesting sea turtles.
The Aventura program begins at sea level with students “giving back” to the Costa Rican community through volunteer work with Osa Conservation. Students plant trees, build trails, and patrol the beaches for nesting sea turtles.
A few high points from the community service Aventura:
-Nightly presentations from working scientists about research on canopy animals, hermit crabs, big cat tracking and water quality testing
-Safely relocating over 70 sea turtle eggs & releasing 70 baby hatchlings
-Encountering anteaters, coatimundi and a beautiful (and rare) puma!
-Nightly presentations from working scientists about research on canopy animals, hermit crabs, big cat tracking and water quality testing
-Safely relocating over 70 sea turtle eggs & releasing 70 baby hatchlings
-Encountering anteaters, coatimundi and a beautiful (and rare) puma!
Students then participate in the Kayak Aventura, circumnavigating the Golfo Dulce while camping along its undeveloped shores.
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Memorable moments from this journey include:
-Watching turtles and dolphin swim alongside students’ kayaks
-Fishing with hand lines for snapper, mackerel and tuna
-Snorkeling in the coral reef at Los Mogos, two islands whose name means “the specks”
-Being surrounded by natural beauty and seeing rainbows nearly every day
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Memorable moments from this journey include:
-Watching turtles and dolphin swim alongside students’ kayaks
-Fishing with hand lines for snapper, mackerel and tuna
-Snorkeling in the coral reef at Los Mogos, two islands whose name means “the specks”
-Being surrounded by natural beauty and seeing rainbows nearly every day
After the Kayak Aventura, students spend a week hiking in the protected jungles of Corcovado National Park, learning about biological relationships and rainforest succession.
Students and staff reported some of their fondest memories:
-The teamwork and support shown by the group members during the challenging hike
-Impressive focus on the group’s goals
-Being blown away by the diversity of animal and plant life
Students and staff reported some of their fondest memories:
-The teamwork and support shown by the group members during the challenging hike
-Impressive focus on the group’s goals
-Being blown away by the diversity of animal and plant life
The final Integrated Aventura before students climb Chirripo Mountain is a trekking and rafting expedition in Costa Rica’s cloud forests.
Highlights of this trip included:
-Student engagement with absolutely zero complaining!
-Students pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones while navigating whitewater rapids
-The valuable peer feedback given and received within the group
Highlights of this trip included:
-Student engagement with absolutely zero complaining!
-Students pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones while navigating whitewater rapids
-The valuable peer feedback given and received within the group
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This month, our community of New Summit Academy proudly celebrated 13 YEARS of working together to fulfill our mission of nurturing students to become more relationship-based, goal-driven, resourceful global citizens.
To commemorate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some student testimonials from these amazing times. We hope you enjoy!
To commemorate this exciting milestone, we would like to share some student testimonials from these amazing times. We hope you enjoy!
“Happy Anniversary NSA! Celebrate the fact that you are providing something more than anyone there realizes. You are giving everyone there a chance to step away from what life is really like and grow in a controlled environment, a place where they can learn to love and trust themselves.”
-Tyler, Class of 2006
“At NSA I was given so many opportunities to improve my self-esteem. I left NSA with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which helped me get past insecurities and fears back at home.”
-Luke, Class of 2007
“I remember how real Mario and the rest of the staff were with us. I was told many things I didn't want to hear, and really felt that I was treated with respect (when I deserved it, and even sometimes when I didn't).” - Matt, Class of 2008
“The experiences I received in Costa Rica with NSA were invaluable and irreplaceable. I grew from a naive and immature boy to a young man who is motivated and destined for success.”
- Evan, Class of 2009
“When I think about NSA the first thing I remember is the Aventuras. Those were some of the most enlightening and insightful experiences that I have ever partaken in.”
- Billy, Class of 2010
“I don’t think NSA makes you a different person. I think that NSA makes you the person you have always been meant to be.”
- Rory, Class of 2010
“I think the most important aspect which NSA taught me which I still use today, is to simply be myself!”
- Johnny, Class of 2012
-Tyler, Class of 2006
“At NSA I was given so many opportunities to improve my self-esteem. I left NSA with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which helped me get past insecurities and fears back at home.”
-Luke, Class of 2007
“I remember how real Mario and the rest of the staff were with us. I was told many things I didn't want to hear, and really felt that I was treated with respect (when I deserved it, and even sometimes when I didn't).” - Matt, Class of 2008
“The experiences I received in Costa Rica with NSA were invaluable and irreplaceable. I grew from a naive and immature boy to a young man who is motivated and destined for success.”
- Evan, Class of 2009
“When I think about NSA the first thing I remember is the Aventuras. Those were some of the most enlightening and insightful experiences that I have ever partaken in.”
- Billy, Class of 2010
“I don’t think NSA makes you a different person. I think that NSA makes you the person you have always been meant to be.”
- Rory, Class of 2010
“I think the most important aspect which NSA taught me which I still use today, is to simply be myself!”
- Johnny, Class of 2012
