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Many of NSA’s students returned home to celebrate the winter holidays with family and friends. Those who remained in Costa Rica celebrated with their New Summit Academy family and friends, enjoying the natural beauty of the country while having loads of fun participating in recreational activities.
These are just some of outdoor adventures our students engaged in over the holiday break:
- Hiking among the geysers and mud pots of Rincon de la Vieja National Park
- Horseback riding in the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste Province
- Spending time surfing and relaxing at the beach
- Swimming in the spectacular blue waters of the Rio Celeste
Happy Holidays and Feliz Año Nuevo to our entire New Summit Academy Community!
These are just some of outdoor adventures our students engaged in over the holiday break:
- Hiking among the geysers and mud pots of Rincon de la Vieja National Park
- Horseback riding in the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste Province
- Spending time surfing and relaxing at the beach
- Swimming in the spectacular blue waters of the Rio Celeste
Happy Holidays and Feliz Año Nuevo to our entire New Summit Academy Community!
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At the close of 2017, New Summit Academy’s students and staff celebrated the hard work and dedication of graduates and their peers with both the semi-annual Academic Fair, and with an emotional Graduation Ceremony. The Academic Fair – where students are able to show off their project-based learning results from the semester – was a wonderful opportunity for our community to see first-hand the learning that takes place in the NSA classrooms.
Projects included documentary films about Sustainability from our Humanities class, Immersion Spanish presentations about students’ experiences in Costa Rica, a Physics class trebuchet demonstration, and the premiere of the student-produced film from the Peru International Aventura!
Projects included documentary films about Sustainability from our Humanities class, Immersion Spanish presentations about students’ experiences in Costa Rica, a Physics class trebuchet demonstration, and the premiere of the student-produced film from the Peru International Aventura!
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“In my time here, I have met people from backgrounds that I had never even really imagined. Young parentless children in a rural Costa Rican orphanage, an otherworldly experience with Amaru tribespeople in Peru, these people who have shown me compassion and accepted mine in return have changed my outlook. I have realized how very lucky a lot of us are.”
-Class of June 2018
“Over the last year or so, I have added alot of new things to my backpack: new skills, knowledge, perspectives. And white pine logs. I have also been able to shed some old weights and burdens, stuff I no longer need and rocks that I hadn’t realized I was carrying. I have repacked that big green backpack more times than I can count. And now, as I prepare to set off on another journey, I pack it again. I have what I need to take on what’s next, and some space in the pack for something new.” -Class of December 2017
“I started to work on myself; going to the gym every day, planning out my schedule for the week, even running for Student Council President and winning. I earned Honors status and finished my senior year with a 3.67. I no longer seek unhealthy comfort - no longer crawl into the shade - because I've learned that I'm good enough to do whatever I put my heart into.”
-Class of September 2017
“As I strive to be the best person that I can be, the obstacles in my life continue to press down, but now I have the tools needed to successfully overcome them and progress forward and continue to follow my own dreams and ambitions.” -Class of December 2017
“Nine months later, looking back with my new perspective, I am glad to be where I am. I have slipped since I've been here, but never fallen. I've learned how to handle, and even embrace, struggle rather than avoid it. Though not everywhere I go may be immediately comfortable and easy, I am n ow confident that I have the experience and skill set to succeed in the face of challenge.”
-Class of March 2018
-Class of June 2018
“Over the last year or so, I have added alot of new things to my backpack: new skills, knowledge, perspectives. And white pine logs. I have also been able to shed some old weights and burdens, stuff I no longer need and rocks that I hadn’t realized I was carrying. I have repacked that big green backpack more times than I can count. And now, as I prepare to set off on another journey, I pack it again. I have what I need to take on what’s next, and some space in the pack for something new.” -Class of December 2017
“I started to work on myself; going to the gym every day, planning out my schedule for the week, even running for Student Council President and winning. I earned Honors status and finished my senior year with a 3.67. I no longer seek unhealthy comfort - no longer crawl into the shade - because I've learned that I'm good enough to do whatever I put my heart into.”
-Class of September 2017
“As I strive to be the best person that I can be, the obstacles in my life continue to press down, but now I have the tools needed to successfully overcome them and progress forward and continue to follow my own dreams and ambitions.” -Class of December 2017
“Nine months later, looking back with my new perspective, I am glad to be where I am. I have slipped since I've been here, but never fallen. I've learned how to handle, and even embrace, struggle rather than avoid it. Though not everywhere I go may be immediately comfortable and easy, I am n ow confident that I have the experience and skill set to succeed in the face of challenge.”
-Class of March 2018
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This week, New Summit Academy proudly awarded high school diplomas and certificates of program completion to six young men who have – like all of our graduates – shown impressive effort and growth during the past year.
December graduation coincides with our seniors wrapping up their college application process, and reflecting through their personal essays on their unique journeys. As we celebrate this graduation and look forward to more stories of success in the future, we would like to share a handful of excerpts from these student reflections:
December graduation coincides with our seniors wrapping up their college application process, and reflecting through their personal essays on their unique journeys. As we celebrate this graduation and look forward to more stories of success in the future, we would like to share a handful of excerpts from these student reflections:
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NSA students have a unique opportunity to develop true language mastery and cultural understanding through our Spanish and Cultural Immersion curriculum. Grammatical learning objectives are employed in the classroom as a means to enrich weekly cultural immersion activities, allowing students to approach the Costa Rican culture with more understanding and ability to engage.
Recent culminating immersion projects have included a presentation at the local elementary school on the country’s indigenous communities, trips to the farmer’s market, pick-up sports in San Jose's La Sabana Park and interviews with the local water institute about Atenas and water rights.
Many thanks to our dedicated Spanish Teachers and Experiential Education mentors for facilitating these opportunities for true cultural immersion.
Recent culminating immersion projects have included a presentation at the local elementary school on the country’s indigenous communities, trips to the farmer’s market, pick-up sports in San Jose's La Sabana Park and interviews with the local water institute about Atenas and water rights.
Many thanks to our dedicated Spanish Teachers and Experiential Education mentors for facilitating these opportunities for true cultural immersion.
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New Summit Academy’s Global Citizenship program is designed to develop important 21st-century skills and a global perspective that will be necessary for success in our increasingly complex world. Each quarter, students and our academic faculty engage in workshops, each focusing on one of the eight facets of what it means to be a global citizen. This quarter, teachers worked with students to investigate the issues surrounding Social Justice.
Our community investigated and discussed ideas including power and privilege, youth movements and their role in social justice, and issues of gender in society. We hope that our students (and staff!) ended this workshop with more awareness of social justice issues, and how to make intentional decisions to promote justice in our world.
Our community investigated and discussed ideas including power and privilege, youth movements and their role in social justice, and issues of gender in society. We hope that our students (and staff!) ended this workshop with more awareness of social justice issues, and how to make intentional decisions to promote justice in our world.
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The Thanksgiving holiday at NSA is all about our communities, and celebrating and giving thanks to those who are such an important part of our lives. Our students had bountiful opportunities to spend time with their various communities throughout the week.
Some of our families were able to join us for a New Family Workshop, engaging in family sessions, academic workshops and parent-teacher conferences, as well as important family time together in Costa Rica.
Our families, real and extended, gathered together on Thursday to prepare and share an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.
Students also brought a little bit of the holiday to their friends at Hogar de Vida children’s home, making turkey hats for the little ones, and serving lunch to the community.
NSA is thankful for all of our communities that do so much to enrich our lives!
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Presentation by Dr. Danny Recio & Dr. Heather Tracy at the Young Adult Transition Association conference in Coeur d'Alene, ID, in October 2017.
Learn more about 5 societal and cultural trends affecting youth development and how Supportive Immersion methods develop the PROPS which lead to self-generation and therefore integrative growth.
Learn more about 5 societal and cultural trends affecting youth development and how Supportive Immersion methods develop the PROPS which lead to self-generation and therefore integrative growth.
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New Summit Academy’s Integrated Aventuras serve as important rites of passage for our students as they reflect on their growth in the program while engaging with teachers, therapists and mentors in meaningful experiential activities throughout Costa Rica.
The progression of Aventuras reflects student growth as well, with locations beginning at sea level and gradually working their way to the culminating experience, summiting Mt. Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica. Each Aventura incorporates academic study, personal growth goals and experiential education activities to foster true engagement and integrated growth.
Here are a few highlights from this month's Aventuras to four unique parts of the country.
The progression of Aventuras reflects student growth as well, with locations beginning at sea level and gradually working their way to the culminating experience, summiting Mt. Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica. Each Aventura incorporates academic study, personal growth goals and experiential education activities to foster true engagement and integrated growth.
Here are a few highlights from this month's Aventuras to four unique parts of the country.
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Pinnacle moments from our Kayak Aventura!
-Students were treated to a brilliant double rainbow at Playa Blanca, the first campsite of the journey
-The fishing was great, with students catching prized “chancho” fish, and turning them into fresh ceviche
-The rainy season brought clouds and mist to the night crossing of the gulf, adding to the magical atmosphere
-Students were treated to a brilliant double rainbow at Playa Blanca, the first campsite of the journey
-The fishing was great, with students catching prized “chancho” fish, and turning them into fresh ceviche
-The rainy season brought clouds and mist to the night crossing of the gulf, adding to the magical atmosphere
