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 A bright, capable teen may appear anxious, withdrawn, or unmotivated.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.