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What is it like to study at our small boarding school? Our graduates can share some insight!
These alumni testimonials show that studying abroad in Costa Rica is much more than beach trips and Spanish lessons.
It's about:
🙌 Making lifelong friendships
🦾 Gaining confidence and a positive identity
✏️ Developing academic, social and emotional skills
🎯 Improving mental fitness to take on life's challenges
💫 And of course creating memories that last a lifetime!
These alumni testimonials show that studying abroad in Costa Rica is much more than beach trips and Spanish lessons.
It's about:
🙌 Making lifelong friendships
🦾 Gaining confidence and a positive identity
✏️ Developing academic, social and emotional skills
🎯 Improving mental fitness to take on life's challenges
💫 And of course creating memories that last a lifetime!
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New Summit Academy Costa Rica is an ideal environment for personal insight-building, US college preparatory academics, cultural immersion activities and adventurous experiential education. For 20 years, we have been helping students build healthier relationships with themselves and others, enhance motivation in setting goals and reaching them, and become more resourceful global citizens.
Know a high school male who could benefit from a semester or year abroad? Email us!
Know a high school male who could benefit from a semester or year abroad? Email us!
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You might assume that if a teen is smart, school should be easy. But for many bright students, the opposite is true. Despite their intelligence, they struggle to keep up - not because they don’t understand the material, but because of difficulties with executive functioning.
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning is like the brain’s “manager.” It helps with:
When these skills are weak or inconsistent, even the brightest students can feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and stuck.
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning is like the brain’s “manager.” It helps with:
- Planning and organizing tasks Initiating and completing work
- Managing time and prioritizing
- Regulating emotions and impulses
- Problem-solving and flexible thinking
When these skills are weak or inconsistent, even the brightest students can feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and stuck.
Why Executive Functioning Matters in School
Academic success isn’t just about IQ or knowledge. It’s also about:
If these skills aren’t fully developed, students can fall behind, not because they lack ability, but because the process of learning feels chaotic and stressful.
Common Executive Functioning Challenges Teens Face
These challenges can cause anxiety, lower self-confidence, and even make students avoid school altogether.
Academic success isn’t just about IQ or knowledge. It’s also about:
- Knowing how to break a big project into manageable steps
- Keeping track of assignments and deadlines
- Staying focused during lessons
- Adjusting when plans change or unexpected problems arise
If these skills aren’t fully developed, students can fall behind, not because they lack ability, but because the process of learning feels chaotic and stressful.
Common Executive Functioning Challenges Teens Face
- Procrastination: Putting off tasks because they feel too big or overwhelming
- Disorganization: Losing track of papers, materials, or schedules
- Difficulty starting tasks: Feeling stuck before even beginning
- Trouble shifting focus: Struggling to move between activities or adjust plans
- Emotional overwhelm: Getting easily frustrated or discouraged when things don’t go perfectly
These challenges can cause anxiety, lower self-confidence, and even make students avoid school altogether.
How New Summit Academy Supports Executive Functioning Growth
At New Summit Academy, we don’t just teach academic content; we teach how to learn. Our supportive environment helps students develop executive functioning skills through:
At New Summit Academy, we don’t just teach academic content; we teach how to learn. Our supportive environment helps students develop executive functioning skills through:
- Individualized Advising and Goal Setting. Each student works closely with an advising team to set personalized goals, create concrete action plans, and track progress regularly. These goals include skills like time management, organization, and self-advocacy.
- Breaking Down Tasks. Large assignments and projects are broken into smaller, manageable steps with built-in deadlines. This scaffolding reduces overwhelm and builds confidence with each completed step.
- Structured Routines. Daily schedules incorporate time for academics, physical activity, self-care, and reflection. Routines provide the external support many students need to build internal skills.
- Executive Functioning Coaching Integration. Our systems and staff teach practical strategies for planning, prioritizing, and organizing. Students learn to use tools like calendars, checklists, and reminders effectively.
- Emotional Regulation Support. We integrate mindfulness, healthy lifestyle habits, and emotional awareness into daily life, helping students manage frustration and stay resilient.
Real-Life Impact: What Our Students Experience
Students who struggle with executive functioning often come to New Summit Academy feeling lost or “not smart enough.” Over time, they learn that their brains work differently, and that with the right support, they can succeed.
They start to:
This growth ripples into all areas of their lives, from academics to relationships to future goals.
Executive Functioning is a Skill, Not a Fixed Trait
The good news? Executive functioning skills can be developed and strengthened just like learning a language or a sport.
At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we specialize in nurturing these skills in a holistic, supportive setting. Our goal is to help every student gain the tools they need to thrive - academically, emotionally, and socially.
Is your teen struggling with executive functioning?
We’re here to help. Reach out to learn more about how our supportive boarding school integrates personal growth with academic success.
Students who struggle with executive functioning often come to New Summit Academy feeling lost or “not smart enough.” Over time, they learn that their brains work differently, and that with the right support, they can succeed.
They start to:
- Turn in assignments on time
- Feel more in control of their workload
- Advocate for themselves with teachers and peers
- Bounce back from setbacks without giving up
- Discover their unique strengths and interests
This growth ripples into all areas of their lives, from academics to relationships to future goals.
Executive Functioning is a Skill, Not a Fixed Trait
The good news? Executive functioning skills can be developed and strengthened just like learning a language or a sport.
At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we specialize in nurturing these skills in a holistic, supportive setting. Our goal is to help every student gain the tools they need to thrive - academically, emotionally, and socially.
Is your teen struggling with executive functioning?
We’re here to help. Reach out to learn more about how our supportive boarding school integrates personal growth with academic success.
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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 rewarding 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:
But as moving as commencement day can be, what’s even more rewarding 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
“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.”
“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.”
"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.”
Cultural Immersion and Travel
“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.”
“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."
“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."
A Launch Pad for Life
“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.”
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.”