As we close out 2025, Dr. Heather Tracy, Executive Director and Co-Founder of New Summit Academy, shares a short message of gratitude, reflection, and hope for what lies ahead. We’re honored to celebrate with our partners and community 20 years of our supportive boarding school and study abroad experience in Costa Rica, along with a year of meaningful growth at The Bridge Costa Rica.

​Thank you for being part of a community committed to helping young people grow, contribute, and thrive. See you in 2026!

Last week, members of the New Summit Academy and The Bridge Costa Rica leadership team traveled to New England for a series of conferences, school visits, and alumni connections that highlight our role as a trusted partner within the broader boarding school community.

A key moment of the trip was Executive Director Dr. Heather Tracy’s participation in an expert panel at the The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Conference in Boston. The discussion, focused on navigating the fine line between traditional and therapeutic boarding schools, underscored an important truth: while many students thrive in supportive boarding school settings, others benefit from a structured, relational reset before they can fully access academic and community life. New Summit Academy’s 6-12 month study abroad model in Costa Rica continues to serve as that bridge, blending U.S.-accredited academics with intentional social-emotional skill-building, cultural immersion, and therapeutic support.

The team also visited several partner schools across Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, strengthening collaboration around student transitions, wellbeing, and guided independence. Meanwhile, Dr. Danny Recio joined colleagues at the NE NATSAP Conference and spoke at The Greenwood School about how supportive gap experiences help “late bloomers” develop confidence, purpose, and readiness for adulthood.

These partnerships matter. This year, 64% of our 2025 graduates enrolled in a more traditional boarding school, evidence of what early intervention, thoughtful planning, and social-emotional development can accomplish.

Whether through our supportive high school abroad, our gap year at The Bridge, or our growing portfolio of collaborations with schools, New Summit Academy remains deeply committed to helping adolescents and young adults reset, grow, and return ready to thrive.

At New Summit Academy, cultural immersion is at the heart of our supportive boarding school and study abroad experience in Costa Rica. This month, our Cultural Immersion class had the privilege of welcoming artists from Los Borucas, an indigenous community renowned for their vibrant mascaradas: hand-carved wooden masks representing animals, ancestral spirits, and powerful cultural symbols.

Students learned each step of the traditional process, from sketching and carving to painting and finishing. Guided by Boruca artisans, they even created their own miniature masks, discovering firsthand how patience, creativity, and cultural heritage come together through art.

Cultural immersion is one of the most meaningful elements of a high school abroad program. At New Summit Academy, students regularly engage with the local community, whether through service projects, homestay Sundays, shared meals, or campus celebrations like Día de las Culturas and Día Nacional de las Mascaradas. Within our multicultural faculty and student body, they practice Spanish, build cross-cultural communication skills, and learn how to navigate differences with empathy and curiosity.

By learning from others, New Summit Academy students ultimately learn more about themselves, and carry those insights into their futures.

We kicked off our fall conference season earlier this month at the North American Boarding School Workshop (NABSW) in London, England. Representing New Summit Academy and The Bridge Costa Rica, Strategic Enrollment Director Adam Beeson joined boarding school colleagues, international agents, and educational consultants from around the world for several days of connection and professional exchange.

The NABSW event provided an ideal setting to share how New Summit Academy and The Bridge create supportive boarding and study abroad experiences for students who benefit from intentional community, experiential learning, and holistic personal growth. Conversations throughout the workshop reinforced a shared commitment among schools and partners to help students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Beyond the formal meetings, many of the most meaningful moments came during informal conversations: exchanging ideas, comparing experiences, and exploring future collaborations that strengthen healthy, student-centered communities across borders.

The London workshop marked the first of several professional events this season. Dr. Danny Recio, Director of The Bridge Costa Rica, recently attended the Young Adult Transition Association (YATA) conference in San Diego, and next month Executive Director Dr. Heather Tracy will join Danny and Adam at NE NATSAP in Burlington, Vermont, The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) in Boston, Massachusetts, and for boarding school visits across New England.

Together, these events reflect an ongoing commitment to global connection, shared learning, and the continued growth of supportive educational communities.

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.

Most people think of study abroad as something reserved for college students. But what if the real magic of cultural immersion, personal growth, and academic exploration could happen before college?

At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we believe high school is the perfect time to experience the life-changing benefits of studying abroad.

Here are some of the powerful advantages of a high school study abroad experience, especially in a structured, supportive environment like New Summit Academy.

1. A Standout Resume and College Application
Colleges are looking for students who stand out - not just in GPA and test scores - but in life experience, maturity, and perspective. A high school study abroad program that includes language acquisition, service work, cultural immersion, and leadership development adds serious weight to any application.

At New Summit Academy, our students graduate with: 

• Spanish language skills
  
• Wilderness First Aid & SCUBA certifications
  
• Cross-cultural leadership and service hours
  
• Real academic confidence and emotional maturity

2. Increased Self-Awareness and Independence
Living and learning in a different country forces students to step outside their comfort zone. They become more independent, resourceful, and adaptable. Most importantly, they begin to discover who they are outside of their old patterns and pressures.

Through travel, adventure, and reflection, New Summit Academy students explore:

• Their values and identity
  
• What they want their future to look like
  
• How to take ownership of their choices

3. Academic Growth Without Burnout
Many students come to us feeling overwhelmed by perfectionism, school anxiety, or executive functioning struggles. The change of pace and environment at New Summit Academy helps students reconnect with learning in a healthier way while still earning US-accredited credits in a rigorous yet balanced academic program.

We offer:

• Small class sizes and individualized support
  
• Integrated executive functioning coaching
  
• Experiential learning that makes subjects come alive

4. Therapeutic Benefits Without Clinical Stigma
At New Summit Academy, personal growth happens naturally through real-life experiences. While we offer licensed therapy and goal-setting support, we don’t label students or isolate them from typical teen experiences.

Instead, we offer:

• A nurturing peer community
  
• Supportive mentoring and counseling
  
• Opportunities to build healthy routines and social-emotional skills
  

5. Global Awareness That Lasts a Lifetime
Whether hiking cloud forests, collaborating on a community service project, or living with a Costa Rican homestay family, our students learn to see the world - and themselves - through a broader lens.

They leave with:

• Cultural humility and open-mindedness
  
• A deep appreciation for diversity
  
• A commitment to being global citizens

Why Wait Until College?
High school is the ideal time to help students reset, grow, and re-engage with their lives before they enter adulthood. A supportive study abroad experience like New Summit Academy can be the launchpad they need.

🌍 Ready to give your son a meaningful adventure with real academic and emotional impact? Learn how New Summit Academy Costa Rica is redefining what it means to study abroad in high school.

​📩 Reach out to us: admissions@newsummitacademy.com

We’re proud to share that New Summit Academy Costa Rica has been recognized by K12 Digest as a “Must-Watch Small Boarding School for 2025.” This distinction highlights our innovative, relationship-based model and the transformative growth our students experience through a truly holistic education.

When a teenager is struggling with anxiety, school avoidance, executive functioning challenges, or emotional overwhelm, a traditional high school setting can feel like the worst possible fit.

Large class sizes, rigid schedules, constant social pressure, and limited support systems can make even the most capable teen shut down.

That’s where small boarding schools - like New Summit Academy Costa Rica - come in. These environments are intentionally designed to support students who need more than academic rigor. They need space, structure, relationships, and a different kind of learning environment to thrive.

Here’s why small boarding schools are often the best fit for anxious teens.

1. Students Are Seen, Known, and Supported
In schools with hundreds or thousands of students, it’s easy to slip through the cracks, especially for kids who aren’t acting out but are quietly struggling.

At New Summit Academy:

• Class sizes are small (typically 6–10 students)
• Every student has an advising team that meets with them weekly
• Teachers, counselors, and mentors work collaboratively to support each student

Students are not just names on a roster;  they’re known as individuals. That makes it possible to identify patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or perfectionism before they escalate into crisis.

2. There’s Time and Space to Practice Coping Skills
In a traditional high school, students might meet with a therapist once a week - if they’re lucky. But they often have little opportunity to apply coping strategies in real-time.

At a small, supportive boarding school like New Summit Academy:

• Emotional wellness is integrated into daily life, not treated separately
  
• Staff are present during academic work, outdoor trips, and group projects
  
• Every moment - from meals to group discussions to weekend adventures - is a chance to practice regulation, reflection, and resilience
  

This repetition and reinforcement is critical for teens with anxiety. They build real confidence, not just clinical insight.

3. Flexible, Strengths-Based Academics Reduce Pressure
Many anxious students are incredibly intelligent, but their executive functioning challenges or perfectionism get in the way of completing assignments, starting essays, or asking for help.

At New Summit Academy:

• We scaffold learning and break down large assignments into manageable steps
  
• Students co-create goals and learning strategies with their teachers
  
• Feedback is supportive and skills-focused, not shame-based
  

Our academic program is college-preparatory, but it's designed to be realistic, encouraging, and growth-oriented - not punitive.

4. Community Reduces Social Anxiety, Instead of Fueling It
Large schools often increase social anxiety by emphasizing popularity, cliques, and competition. But in our small community, relationships look different.

Students:

• Learn to communicate openly in Community Council
  
• Give and receive feedback in safe, guided ways
  
• Support each other through shared challenges and successes
  
• Form deep, authentic friendships that often last for years
  

For many students, this is the first time they’ve felt like they belong, and that changes everything.

5. A Holistic Environment Supports the Whole Teen
Teens with anxiety don’t just need school accommodations. They need:

• Healthy routines around sleep, nutrition, and exercise
  
• Creative outlets and leadership opportunities
  
• Time in nature to regulate the nervous system
  
• Adults who model self-awareness, empathy, and calm
  

At New Summit Academy, we integrate these elements into daily life - not as “extras,” but as essential parts of healing and learning.

A New Kind of Success
For the anxious teen, “success” may not mean straight As or leading a club (at least not at first). It might look like:

• Turning in an assignment on time
• Advocating for support
• Practicing mindfulness before a big test
• Reaching out to a new friend
• Going on a group hike, even when it’s uncomfortable

Small boarding schools make this kind of progress both possible and meaningful.

Looking for a small, supportive school where your teen can thrive?
New Summit Academy Costa Rica is a small, supportive boarding school and therapeutic study abroad program that specializes in helping students:

• Overcome anxiety and school avoidance
• Build confidence and executive functioning
• Reconnect with learning, self-worth, and purpose
• Experience real success in a beautiful, structured, and therapeutic setting

📩 Contact us at admissions@newsummitacademy.com to learn how your teen can benefit from a small school with big heart.

Changing schools for senior year can feel overwhelming. At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we offer a supportive boarding school and study abroad experience that empowers students to make the most of their final year.

​With a blend of personal growth therapy, academic skill development, adventure travel and executive functioning support, students build the confidence, resilience, and skills they need to thrive in Grade 12 and beyond.

What is New Summit Academy Costa Rica?
New Summit Academy is a supportive boarding school and study abroad experience for adolescent males ages 14-18 in grades 9-12. Enrolling for 6-12 months, our students receive an engaging and integrated academic, experiential and therapeutic education that helps them connect with what is in them to contribute to the world beyond them.

Supportive College Preparatory Academics
Our academic program goes beyond traditional college prep by nurturing well-rounded individuals through small class sizes, personalized advising, and a supportive community. Students engage in a modern curriculum that develops both academic and social-emotional skills, while cultivating diverse perspectives and experiences. With a focus on executive functioning, our teachers help students set goals, build resilience, and master essential skills like organization, time management, and self-advocacy.

Engaging Cultural Immersion and Travel
Our location in Costa Rica is no accident. Costa Rica offers unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning in one of the world’s most biodiverse and culturally rich countries. Our students explore national parks, learn to surf, and practice their Spanish while earning Wilderness First Aid and SCUBA certifications. Even more important, cultural immersion allows students to begin to sort out their own beliefs, values and customs in order to clarify their own identities and what they can take from their experiences into their futures.

Social and Emotional Counseling and Growth
Our students are supported to work on developing a well-rounded self. Good nutrition, sleep habits, and a healthy exercise routine are central components. Experienced counselors and advisors work closely with students to set goals, build resilience, and develop executive functioning, relationship, and problem-solving skills. By truly getting to know each student, advisors create individualized plans that support personal growth through a range of counseling options, including individual, group, and family support.

Holistic Preparation for University and Beyond
New Summit Academy students have gone on to find success at a range of colleges and universities. The impressive resume our students build while studying abroad in Costa Rica is unique, enriching and sets apart their job, internship and college applications.

“The college guidance I received was second to none...After I graduated high school from New Summit Academy, I continued my studies at St. Lawrence University. I am doing well here because of the skills I learned from my time in Costa Rica.”

​Do you know a rising senior who would benefit from a supportive boarding school and study abroad experience at New Summit Academy? Reach out to admissions@newsummitacademy.com.

Some students don’t need to be rescued; they need to be redirected.

They’re bright, curious, and deeply creative. But lately, their spark feels dimmed. Anxiety, depression, executive dysfunction, or social overwhelm may be getting in the way.

They’re not failing. They’re floundering.

At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we help these students reconnect with who they are and what they’re capable of. We specialize in guiding students who need more than a short-term fix. Our students need space in a supportive school community to reflect, re-engage, and grow while surrounded by breathtaking nature, structure, friends and purpose.

After 20 years of operation, we know that the culture of Costa Rica itself is therapeutic. Students learn to slow down, connect, and rediscover their value, all just a few hours from home. And our school offers everything from SCUBA certifications and documentary filmmaking to international travel, sports, community projects and student-led leadership.

New Summit Academy isn’t about getting students “back on track”. It’s about helping them build a better one. Whether they return home to complete high school, transition to traditional boarding, enroll in college, or take a gap year, our students leave Costa Rica with a toolkit of resilience, self-awareness, and purpose.

​Do you know a student who might benefit from a different pace, a different place, and a truly integrated supportive boarding school? We would love to collaborate.