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This Aventura begins with a 3-day backpacking journey into the chilly cloud forest of Tapanti National Park. On the very first day, after arriving at the park station, the group happened to see a wounded resplendent quetzal being transported to the Zoo Ave sanctuary in Alajuela. Renowned for its vibrant plumage and long streamer tail, the quetzal inhabits the humid highlands of Costa Rica, where protected lands offer this threatened species safe haven.
The experience was the perfect springboard for that day's class on the interconnectedness of cloud forest biomes and human interactions with local species. The class discussion focused on human impacts and important efforts to help rare species like the quetzal.
The trip ended on a high note with two days of adrenaline-pumping rafting on the Class III and IV rapids of the mighty Pacuare River.
The experience was the perfect springboard for that day's class on the interconnectedness of cloud forest biomes and human interactions with local species. The class discussion focused on human impacts and important efforts to help rare species like the quetzal.
The trip ended on a high note with two days of adrenaline-pumping rafting on the Class III and IV rapids of the mighty Pacuare River.
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Students on the Kayak Aventura found a true sense of cohesion and authenticity as they paddled their way across the glassy waters of the Golfo Dulce.
When they weren't chest-deep in mangrove estuaries for hands-on classes, the guys were catching their dinner (fresh snapper and mackeral!) on handlines as they kayaked through this amazing ecosystem.
Crowning moments included:
When they weren't chest-deep in mangrove estuaries for hands-on classes, the guys were catching their dinner (fresh snapper and mackeral!) on handlines as they kayaked through this amazing ecosystem.
Crowning moments included:
- Watching spotted eagle rays glide through the water
- Having sea turtles swim under their kayaks
- Crossing the Gulf bathed in the luminous glow of a Full Snow Moon
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Corcovado National Park, one of the planet's most biodiverse locations, was the backdrop for this physically challenging 5-day camping and trekking adventure. Students study lowland rainforest ecology, symbiosis and forest succession on this extreme journey that entails some exciting river crossings, including one high tide crossing where waters were nearly chest level!
Wildlife sightings are one of the best parts of exploring Corcovado. During their week-long adventure, the guys saw Tapir, sea turtles, four species of monkey, wild pigs, coatimundi, caimans, crocodiles and a skunk! The group also got to experience the wonders of the Snow Moon Eclipse, watching the sun rise as the moon lit up the night sky.
Wildlife sightings are one of the best parts of exploring Corcovado. During their week-long adventure, the guys saw Tapir, sea turtles, four species of monkey, wild pigs, coatimundi, caimans, crocodiles and a skunk! The group also got to experience the wonders of the Snow Moon Eclipse, watching the sun rise as the moon lit up the night sky.
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Community Service marks the first of NSA's Integrated Aventuras, and with more than half of the student body participating in this initial adventure, this group was amazingly cohesive. Students showed great initiative and cooperation on both an individual and group basis during their week on the Osa Peninsula, where service was aimed at monitoring endangered sea turtle nesting sites and local reforestation efforts.
According to Aventura staff, the guys were consistently engaged in academic lessons, resulting in dynamic conversations.
Aventura highlights included:
According to Aventura staff, the guys were consistently engaged in academic lessons, resulting in dynamic conversations.
Aventura highlights included:
- Discovering a sea turtle nest on their first beach patrol containing more than 100 eggs that students relocated to the hatchery built by a previous NSA class
- Harvesting vegetables from the Osa Conservation garden to serve at dinner
- Playing 5X5 soccer
- Using free time to swim in the river
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Though it may seem like the college application process is just now ending, we are already having schools jump at the opportunity to admit our motivated, brilliant seniors. Each week brings new and exciting news for our students, with more sure to come.
Some of our recent acceptances include:
- Montana State
- Immaculata University
- Alvernia University
- Whittier (with a $28,000 per year scholarship)
- Juniata (with a $23,000 per year scholarship)
- Portland State (with a $24,000 per year scholarship)
Congratulations seniors!
Some of our recent acceptances include:
- Montana State
- Immaculata University
- Alvernia University
- Whittier (with a $28,000 per year scholarship)
- Juniata (with a $23,000 per year scholarship)
- Portland State (with a $24,000 per year scholarship)
Congratulations seniors!
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The beloved (and much-used) music, recording and documentary film studio that was a new addition to our campus in 2015 has been inspiring students to reach their full creative potential. Something seemed to be missing, though: character!
Our Documentary Film teacher, Stephen, wanted to go for a retro look by draping the walls with Persian rugs. He even campaigned for a lava lamp. However, this would have altered the angles of the acoustically-designed walls.
Luckily, our Math teacher Christy is close friends with a talented California-based artist who makes occasional pilgrimages to Atenas. Monty donated supplies and dedicated nearly a week of his time to create a fantastic, music-inspired mural for our community.
Thanks to Monty, and to everyone involved in bringing more color to our beautiful campus.
Our Documentary Film teacher, Stephen, wanted to go for a retro look by draping the walls with Persian rugs. He even campaigned for a lava lamp. However, this would have altered the angles of the acoustically-designed walls.
Luckily, our Math teacher Christy is close friends with a talented California-based artist who makes occasional pilgrimages to Atenas. Monty donated supplies and dedicated nearly a week of his time to create a fantastic, music-inspired mural for our community.
Thanks to Monty, and to everyone involved in bringing more color to our beautiful campus.
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New Summit Academy’s dining hall has always been famous for serving fresh, delicious foods to our students and staff. In fact, students often award our chefs “favorite staff” awards at graduation ceremonies.
In our continuing efforts to build healthy habits in our students, and to provide them with nutrition that develops bright, productive minds, our chefs are incorporating more healthy, plant-based options at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Besides bringing in organic vegetables from a nearby farm each week, NSA grows much of its basil and oregano right here on campus. Our cooks plan balanced weekly meals following a formula that ensures plenty of whole grains, leafy greens, fresh fruits, and lean proteins. New additions to our menu include garbanzo bean and vegetable stew, spinach and tuna sandwiches, vegetarian lasagna, and even a salad bar!
In our continuing efforts to build healthy habits in our students, and to provide them with nutrition that develops bright, productive minds, our chefs are incorporating more healthy, plant-based options at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Besides bringing in organic vegetables from a nearby farm each week, NSA grows much of its basil and oregano right here on campus. Our cooks plan balanced weekly meals following a formula that ensures plenty of whole grains, leafy greens, fresh fruits, and lean proteins. New additions to our menu include garbanzo bean and vegetable stew, spinach and tuna sandwiches, vegetarian lasagna, and even a salad bar!
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New Summit Academy and our Young Adult Bridge Program are collaborating on a presentation at the annual National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) conference in Tucson, Arizona later this month. Executive Director Heather Tracy and Danny Recio, Program Director for the Bridge, are working together to present “To Surf or Not to Surf? The Benefits and Risks of Allowing Internet Use in Therapeutic Programs.”
NSA believes the important, positive identity forming and community building benefits of allowing students to share their experiences and growth online outweigh the risks, and Heather and Danny will be delving into this topic before a gathering of professionals in the industry. NSA is proud to continue sharing our cutting-edge practices to help improve student services in all programs.
NSA believes the important, positive identity forming and community building benefits of allowing students to share their experiences and growth online outweigh the risks, and Heather and Danny will be delving into this topic before a gathering of professionals in the industry. NSA is proud to continue sharing our cutting-edge practices to help improve student services in all programs.
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NSA’s Academics are known throughout the industry as one of the most innovative, rigorous and creative programs out there. Our success with engaging all learning styles and developing academic skills is due in large part to our dedicated teachers implementing project- and problem-based learning in their classrooms.
This learning model begins with students and teachers collaborating to develop a project to be completed or a problem to be solved by the end of the semester. Teachers then develop steps to achieve this goal which incorporate the semester’s learning objectives, so that they are met as our students progress through the project.
This learning model helps to develop student ownership of their learning and allows students to place tasks and lessons into a greater context, improving student engagement. At the end of each semester, our community celebrates these projects at the Academic Fair, where students share the results of their efforts with their peers and staff.
This semester, students are working on various projects, including:
This learning model begins with students and teachers collaborating to develop a project to be completed or a problem to be solved by the end of the semester. Teachers then develop steps to achieve this goal which incorporate the semester’s learning objectives, so that they are met as our students progress through the project.
This learning model helps to develop student ownership of their learning and allows students to place tasks and lessons into a greater context, improving student engagement. At the end of each semester, our community celebrates these projects at the Academic Fair, where students share the results of their efforts with their peers and staff.
This semester, students are working on various projects, including:
- A Rube Goldberg machine in Physics that demonstrates natural laws
- Recreating famous or student-generated works of art using mathematical functions
- A collaborative project to answer the question “What is Life?” in both Biology and Literature
- Student-written mystery screenplays inspired by their reading of The Maltese Falcon
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NSA’s enthusiastic student body and their student council recently worked together on a proposal: to have more opportunities to pursue their club of interest on weekends.
The Experiential Education department responded by organizing monthly long weekends -- leaving Friday after classes and returning Sunday afternoons -- dedicated to club activities. Our two most popular clubs just returned from one of these action-packed weekends.
NSA’s surfers traveled to Playa Esterillos, a Pacific beach famous for its challenging and consistent waves. There, students and staff paired up with surf partners and spent hours each day honing their skills.
Members of the Climbing Club headed to the stunning Orosi Valley for two full days of technical routes and bouldering. Students are excited about the additional opportunities to pursue their interests, and NSA is thrilled to have such invested students!
